How good was it at Odsal last night?

I thought the match started a bit how I'd feared. We had field position but were unable to make it count and then we were 0-8 down and seemingly short of answers. Then the bench players came on and the whole complexion of the game changed. That pearler of a pass from Taufua to Holmes got us up the field and Gaskell's kick won a drop out. Rogers' try under the posts seemed to pump everyone up. Appo's try was even better and the try after half time from Holmes was the best of the lot. That middle period was something else and we managed to keep York up their end for pretty much the rest of the match.

It felt like one of those nights of old with a great atmosphere.

The one downer was the injury to Masi Matongo who really does have rotten luck, I thought it was his wrist but it may be his shoulder again which would be even worse given the problems he's had with it. It was a shame to see him so crestfallen when all around him were cock a hoop.

Whatever happens next week I get the feeling the team has turned a real corner since the home game versus Barrow, I hope the O'Carroll can continue the upward trend and we can be more consistent next season and really cement a top 2 place in the championship.

It's a loooooong time since I've walked out of Odsal with that feeling.

The period before half time and just after when the team visibly lifted was immense from both the team and then the crowd.

About ten years ago I was at a function talking to Ian Millward and we had a game the weekend after I asked him about. He said that at Odsal, in big games where there was any chance the going was going to be heavy,defending the Corporate Stand end in the second half was fatal as it was the soggier end and made it so hard, at the end of the game to come away from. In that game his prediction was spot on so I was praying from 60 mins on he was still right!

That poor sod who got folded by Taufua twice in ten minutes must have wondered what he said to him.

Taufua's hits were awesome. Having him and Blackmore on the wings just shows the advantage of having some size when you're playing on a small pitch and the game is forward orientated. I'd certainly give Taufua another year.

When we last played York we had Tindall and DFJ on the wings, only three props and IIRC Gaskell was out so we were short of power and variation in attack. Gaskell may be a bit of a peripheral figure in some ways but his 40-20 and grubber kick to set up the drop out before Rogers' try were v important.

It was like somebody switched on a switch after 25 mins of first half. Forwards started running onto the ball at pace and purposed. Probably the subs that made the difference. If so Greenwood and Nobby got it spot on.

Was it Kirmond that Tafua kept flattening?

George was winding Kirmond up all game.

Not sure - it was on the far side to where I was stood and seemed to be whoever was in their right centre position. Whoever it was will be sore today.

Watched the match on Viaplay. Yes, it was Kirmond who took a severe battering from Tafua. His massive hit towards the last few minutes was particularly brutal. Even Kyle Amor took a big breath after that one during his commentary. I really hope we keep him for next year, as he's a treat to watch down the edges. As someone has already commented, that game was reminiscent of the intensity of years gone by and should give us all some hope for next week. Roll on Toulouse.

Does anyone know the attendance on Sunday?

They announced 2700. To which most of the '2700' laughed.

I would have said more like 5000. Maybe a bit of skullduggery going on there.