Tough win from what looked like two fairly evenly matched sides. Dorn's try in the second half was amazing. Defence was occassionally poor (Sammut jogged in for his try) but a massive improvement on last season- goal line defense was spectacular and we did well to hold on in the second half.

Hope it doesn't overshadow the win, but the attendance was really poor- 1,700 odd. Alarming, especially given that Crusaders seemed to bring a lot more than last time- indeed, a small band of them behind the posts. Wouldn't be suprised if we've lost a lot of season ticket holders from last year.

Gate's 615 down on last season's fixture - if it stays like this we might be in trouble come franchise time.

1,700 there were more than that. I think it was because the freebies, who would not count (I brought 3) and the two for a tenner counted as one. Having been at the Stoop for many years, that was a 3,000+ crowd.

No way was that 1700-The stand was full- I suspect it was for tax reasons!!!

I agree with the 3000+ figure

there were so many new season ticket holders in my block (AE)

But if we have to remove the freebies then so be it

it's good to be back

However, all the M62ers are on our case again. League in London has failed etc. etc.. So we may have shot ourselves in the foot by giving the paying speccies instead of the total including freebies. However if we play like that all season, the floaters will come back. A lot of the M62ers are probably jealous of our league position. We will get clobbered at Leeds on Friday but if we are competitive at home that we do me fine. We are still a work in progress but at least we are progressing.

1700!!!!! not a chance! I think the telling thing was the car park was full! seriously I got there 10 mins before KO and they reckon they had only 8 spaces left, and sitting in the stand it felt a lot bigger than 1700, were they not allowed to count the free tickets
The game itself, I think the game winner for us was the Luke Dorn chase down when the Crusaders broke down there left hand side at the back end of the second half, think it was Thomas, Dorny cut him off and sent him towards the touchline so he chucked the ball back in field in to a quins players hands!
Dorny good, Luke gale excellent enthusiasm and passion, thought Burnett did well and good to see Karl back, generally I thought the defense was pretty strong with one or 2 lapses.
Negatives! we still seem to panic at times and throw the ball away! Too many penalties, and strewth dropping the ball inside our own 40mtr hmmmm.

think the first week clamp down on laying on in the tackle when the tackled player has the advantage, ie on there knees lasted oohh yep 2 days up in Cardiff, I dont like having a go at the ref, but there was a lot of latitude on that front, and a couple of second tacklers coming in late ignored, not to mention head shots
As for the scrummaging!!! when are they going to read the rules and make the loose forward pack down correctly, ref warned em a couple of times, then decided it was too difficult and couldnt be bothered

Overall happy with the result on a grotty day and heavy pitch, be better when them yawnion boys stop ripping it up

ah and for those that feel a need to have a go at Clubby! thought his defence was pretty solid today and some good hard hits, and dont think he could be blamed for Sammuts walk in try the whole line was stretched
With regards to him passing the ball which apparently he does not do, first half! 6 carries, and passed it 4 times in those 6 carries, 3 went to the winger

Dont think we could claim the stand was full!!

according to the report on the engage site it was raining persistantly!!! did I miss something??

Bit worried about Danny Ward, does a lot of the donkey work, but is playing like Karl was early last season and hesitates just before he hits the tackler rather than going in a full pace, is he carrying an injury i wonder?

Maybe not but Clubby single handedly was responsible for 2 tries-One where Sammutt ran over the top of him and one where he ran forward from the defensive line and marked a hole creating another for Sammutt to walk into.

Do you not think Cru attacked his side repeatedly both with ball in hand and on the foot- that isnt a coincidence-Every club will do it- keep watching, as they did last season.