Lawler mercilessly policed Drinkwater whilst Addy hounded (and pounded) Mortimer. TBH this is the first time I have seen Rovers deploy this tactic this season; it was highly effective in that it rendered them ineffective and allowed Ellis the space to control the middle.

They took 2 in the second half , but that's the point , we are/were the SL team at home , I'm all for taking a penalty when it increases pressure on the opposition

In poor conditions where completing sets is difficult , not in perfect conditions

If the scores are level , ie taking a lead

If leading by 6/12 or 18 , ie increasing the converted try margin

All those increase pressure on the opposition

All we did was hand confidence to Rovers

Yes we were struggling to break their line , so force repeat sets , tire them out , a large % of try's in SL are scored on the back of penalties and repeat sets

Agree with all of this. Our second penalty goal smacked of trying to defend a small lead, when we had to go and win the game still.

I was so pleased you took the two you were on a roll we were blowing a bit all it did was relieve the pressure on us

On the subject of the two wingers Higson and Dawson, can anyone please explain to me why Jukes has decided to reverse the wings for them, Dawson I seem to recall scored his great number of tries from the left wing position, whist Higson was employed on the right wing in previous years especially in the Liam Kay era, just another conundrum from the mindset of coach.

Indeed , I won't criticise individual mistakes made during the turmoil of a game , Similarily refs will miss things ( different interpretations of the same offence is an issue ) , but basic game management by either players or coaching staff isn't free from criticism IMO

Yup. One of many strange decisions which defy logic. I guess we can put this down to a coach under self-inflicted stress. If it aint broke, lets fix it.

Dawson is no more a SL winger than I am. He is a spot player due to his defensive frailties. He lacks pace and conviction going forward, his centre never knows where he is. Anyone who saw the opening stages of our 2017 SL debut at Castleford will know what I am talking about.

Willie Tonga's undoubted class and ability to draw in players and free him space covered him for a little but he is not up to this level.

We have better options.

oookay...



Willie was class. But I'd say Dawson has performed incredibly well under testing circumstances. He's been shifted left and right on a weekly basis and has played with a myriad of different centres with zero consistency. Plus, he carries the ball well making good yards. Last season, I thought keeping Kay may have been a better option, this year, Dawson looks the better option. That's my perception.

We have taken the tap a number of time this season, can't remember once where we have benefited from it. You see the Cas and Leeds of this world take the 2 in similar circumstances on a regular basis

At home against Championship opposition ? , no chance

Hard to say, it's very rare we pass out them.

Don't talk tosh, Saturday was always going to be a close affair, don't make it sound like this was a Leeds v fev type game

That was my take on it. We 'should' be beating Championship teams fairly comfortably. But Rovers are a full time squad, the game WAS close, and we had to take the two points, in my opinion. For the same reasons, the ref's mistake on their final try, was absolutely crucial - whether we should or shouldn't be relying on the accuracy of decisions to beat teams.

Absolutely, we were hardly cutting HKR to shreds. If the Ref calls the incorrect the PTB from Scruton that penalty for two points slotted home by Drinkwater would have been the difference between two points and the match won. Or a draw. Full stop.

No doubt in my mind it was the correct decision at the time.