Brooks played regularly for the team that finished 5th last year.

That aside, I do agree with your general point. We’ve done a lot of shopping at Rochdale and swinton this close season. Personally I expect us to finish around 10th.

Yesterdays game plan seemed to be different, we didn't need backs as all we did was cart up the middle and whack an aimless high ball up.

The week before we at least stretched the defence of Toulouse, put the ball into touch and defended them well in their half.

If we are going to play that way in away games we need a bigger pack and a better kicking game from Woods.

I went along yesterday. I thought Leigh attacked nicely but lack depth up front. The middle part of game saw you clinging on. Left side defence is a worry. Pownall is prone to brain darts isn't he?

A few more big lads and I think your playmakers will have a lot more opportunity to shine.

The end of last season , had me in despair, however I’m full of optimism for the coming season,I’ve forcast Toronto, Toulouse, Widnes, Bradford for the top 4 spots, and we will see how my prediction unveils itself as the season progresses.
I think our forwards are on the weak side , but with a couple of recruits we will be ok,and looking at the present table, we are still above Fax.

Once again Neil a very constructive and sensible post,I can’t argue with any of yer points,I’m very interested to see how Olly Russell will fare given the chance.

Desperate to replace Bracek, without the two saints lads we would have no pack at present of any size. Thought we should have gone for Emmit and Hoppy. Anyone know why Higginson isn't playing??

It wasn’t aimed at you



In fact I agree with you

He didn't - he had a ten minute 'rest'!

But it wasn't a knock on if you watch the game back. player was definitely held back though

Ref can only give what he sees , was a typical Hewer display , you never feel confident watching him in the middle , always seems to encourage niggly games , will we see him again fairly soon ? , hope bloody not

Just how I see it Steve. Just to add that his TJ was just as near as him, when they seemed to completely miss our guy being held back. I always feel lately, that he has become very 'unpredictable' and I reckon that uncertainty got to the players too! He certainly doesn't seem to contribute much to the concept of speeding up the game.

Would we have gone on to win, if we had been awarded a penalty then? We don't know, but if that had been the decision, it is unlikely that 'Fax would have gone straight down the other end just then, to start that three try blitz. If you listen to JD's post match interview, he believes we should have had a penalty then - but we was realistic/honest enough to say that he didn't think it would have influenced the outcome, as 'Fax were the deserving winners.

If's, buts, and maybes, eh!?

That’s a fair analysis from your coach.

Deary me, every time Hewer refs a game there's controversy! For the Fax fans coming on here, you were worthy winners on the day of that, there is little doubt.
Gareth Hewer struggles to see play because in my opinion the players dwarf him on the pitch and he can't see around them! No other ref relies on his touch judges more than him, for this reason.
As far as the game goes, Jonny Pownall was shocking, he was probably culpable for 18 of Fax's points! I saw this lad play for Leigh at Fax a few years ago and he single handedly gifted Fax the game then! consequently I've never rated him and, my opinion hasn't changed now!
The incident with the obstruction was unbelievable, from my seat the Fax Winger dropped the ball facing leigh posts (knock on), leigh player kicked ball forward and attempted the chase it however, he was clearly held back (obstruction), advantage was played however, another leigh player couldn't quite ground the ball before it rolled dead!
The decision should have been, deliberate obstruction and yellow card for Fax player and, a penalty to Leigh !
I believe our obstructed player would have been able to ground the ball and score a try!
For Hewer to award a twenty restart in Fax's favour was incredible!

Kirkby I agree with most of your post, especially your view on the obstruction,Pownall did have a mare of a game, and why he applauded the Ref was crazy, he then applauded the East Stand as he approached the tunnel, it could prove more costly soon.

He's being honest. That's the way most of us saw the game too. The final score flattered us somewhat, although credit to Leigh for not packing in, when the tide turned against us. A good, deserved win for 'Fax.

I know we should look forward rather than back but I have to say our away fixture at Halifax last season still haunts me, and that is without the bus breaking down, missing the pubs and arriving 10 minutes into the match after Fax had already scored.

So other than another huge and possibly further costly brain fart by a winger of ours, the team we have, part-time too, at least play with more passion than that shambles I saw a year ago.

Couple that with the Toulouse result/performance and whereas I don't see us being up there, come the end I think we can certainly have a say in who finishes where above us.

I have watched it back, it was a knock on, a player was held back, and it did not seem to touch a Leigh player-all 3 decisions against us in 3 seconds!!

Good post..

We could and should have scored first after half time which would have put us in the lead. Hewer saw it differently and gave possession to Halifax. Rightly called as the game breaker. Overall Halifax deserved the 2 points although I have to admit Hewer left me baffled at times.

We desperately need some size in the pack but look, it is only 10 weeks ago when I thought we will be going away to the likes of Halifax and Bradford this year and getting tonked by 70 or 80 points.

We have beat a full time side and lost narrowly at Haifax. I will take that for sure.

Bring on Featherstone Rovers, it is going to be a belter. Hopefully another crowd over 3000.

Agree with all that. Prior to ten weeks ago, we were contemplating being in League 1, or even worse! I'm happy with where we are too! Sure, Sunday was disappointing - it always has been, and always will be, when we lose. However, Halifax were better than us on the day and deserved their win - for me, it really was as simple as that. No disgrace, losing to a good team. Roll on next Sunday!

the ball never touched the ground or an opposition player before robinson batted it back towards his own line. no knock on

Nine times out of ten, Robinson's dropped ball would have been a knock on. The Leigh camera was in the East stand, where the 'incident' occurred and, in all honesty, it looked a knock-on to me. Anyway, as Duffy says, he doesn't think it influenced the final result. Halifax got on a roll, after that, and were out of sight, before we got a sniff in again.

What happened to the yellow card for deliberate obstruction ?

wasn't given but it should've been

Gareth Hewer clearly asked his t/j for help, and was badly advised. I thought Hewer had a poor game all round. That said, I will freely admit that the better team won, on the day.