Put Orford in the mix and anyone could be forgiven for optimism.

How good is Hall, though? I reckon we've bought a gem there.

Only real downside for me is that I just don't get it with Sheriffe. I hope he comes good in some way, but am unsure what it is that he offers which we seem to want.

Overall though very encouraging for us, and a better game than you'd expect for a pre-season.

It was never going to be a free flowing affair on that pitch, even less so when you consider it had been narrowed by about a yard on each side. But the team looked hungry and played well as a unit. Certainly looking forward to Orford being added to the mix. I think some of the criticism of Sherriffe is a little unfair. He got through quite a bit of work and made some good catches. In fact the only ones I recall him missing would have been impressive takes for any player to make.

There's still some work to be done on the attacking side of things but it's mainly down to players getting used to how the new guys play and intergrate within the team and that will come with time

All in all I thought today was a good run out for the team. Bit more composure might have even seen us steal the result. But as it stands, I'm looking forward to the 2010 season more and more

Sheriffe = The New Platt


I never thought he looked good today, but I also didn't think he looked bad. Certainly nowhere near as bad as his performances last year. He wasn't breaking tackles or anything, but he put plenty of work in. The only thing I remember putting my head in my hands about was the kick near the end that he tried to palm nearer the sideline, when unfortunately he was already next to the line, so he just kind of palmed it into touch.

Quote 6Iestyn6="6Iestyn6"Brett Kearney has just done something that we haven't sden at Bradford for yearrs, a running stand off as he went for the gap and made a good 50m before a grubber found touch with just a bit oo much weight behind it. Still no score here. Just taken from another forum.'" That was me see here -----> www.totalrl.com/index.php?showtopic=195513

Quote 6Iestyn6="6Iestyn6"Brett Kearney has just done something that we haven't sden at Bradford for yearrs, a running stand off as he went for the gap and made a good 50m before a grubber found touch with just a bit oo much weight behind it. Still no score here. Just taken from another forum.'" That was me see here -----> www.totalrl.com/index.php?showtopic=195513

sheriffe was totally gash must have done about 800 yards sideways and 10 yards forward,must agree l'estrange,kearney & reardon,halley,menzies all looked outstanding.forwards put down a good platform for half backs to perform.on another note hope we're not going to see the aussie style of trainer on the pitch every time team attacks,fat boy willie on every 2 mins

Sounds like a promising start to 2010.

My fear remains that we are still a couple of quality backs away from challenging.

Agree with everyone else L'estrange made a lovely break and had a good game and Kearney looked good but should have give it to Menzies on the inside with that lovely break but i'm really optimistic about next year and Reardon played really well but Leeds looked rusty but that was also down to our defence today.

I'm sorry but Sheriffe was gash. I won't condemn him until we're well into the real season, as I hope he can still find form. Imo he needs to get the bread and butter stuff right before he tries finding gaps by running across the pitch 63 times.

No, I can't agree with that. I agree with Diligaf in that it was only the fielding of the kick at the end that caused any consternation. He is an a position we need to strengthen but saying that is unwarranted as he hit a lot of hard yards in our own half.

However he does need a big season

I do think Willie Pochings piled the timber on though

Where are all those who were slating Reardon's signing as rubbish?

Speaking as one who was chuffed at the signing, and still am, I just wondered...



As for Sherriffe, can't fault the effort and he certainly wasn't total pants, but can't help but think his wing is going to be seriously targetted this coming season. Guess we would have had Walker there but then no Orford...lets hope we got it right there?

What DID seem to be missing, sad to say and IMO, was an on-form Sam Burgess? I suspect had he been playing we would have been over their line more often, since Leeds' try-line defence was pretty damn good I thought and needed something special to break it?

I though Donno looked highly promising again? Like that offload that fooled everyone? And how he ducked under their guy and nearly broke through?

Having had time to reflect on today, the main thought that stays in my mind is how bloody refreshing to see some new faces and some new ideas. I honestly don't think I could have stood another season of Deacon and Newton to be honest. I was discussing that with the guys stood around me and we all agreed. I am SO pleased to see what L'Estrange and Kearney seem to be bringing, and can't wait to see them link up with Orford. And Hall will stiffen up the pack no end I think...Sir Daniel Gartner has returned?

In fact, what sticks in my mind most was we saw a team again. We may not regain the heights this year - that's a big ask - but I am more optimistic for the future than I have been for ages.

Absolutely. We won't turn from 9th to top 2 in one season but we do have the personnel IMO to be somewhere from 2-6 depending on a bit of luck with injuries etc.

I think Leeds look like the team to beat once again and I'd suggest that a bet on them for topping the table would be a pretty safe one, barring some sort of freak injury list.

We have plenty of reasons to be optimistic that this years brand of Rugby will be a lot more exciting though. After the torture of 09... I'll settle for that!

I was quite impressed with our performance yesterday. We looked pretty sharp when we turned it on and were the only side playing rugby for the majority of the game. Once we get up to full strength in the forwards and Orford slots into the side, we could well surprise the doubters this year. Good to see Koppy having a run out, don't think he's 100% yet but was looking solid. Not sure I agree with the slating of Sheriffe; agree that he wasn't particularly effective in attack but defensively was pretty dependable. Definitely room for improvement, which I do hope we see as he gets a couple more games under his belt.

I'd be a little concerned as a Leeds fan with the performance of their world class starting half backs, thought both were very ordinary.

Did anyone actually see what happened when Delaney strolled through for his try? I couldn't quite make it out from the other end of the ground, but it looked as though someone had turned their back in defense.