Half backs cant dominate until the props have got us field position, forwards are the main priority, get that right the we can see if the half backs are up to it or not.

Plum! Good post mate.

From what I have seen I think you are pretty spot on, we should be pretty mobile round the park but dont have the big grunt up the middle when its down to a slug fest. We should be trying to exploite what we have, but in poor conditions on heavy parks then its difficult.
Half backs set the platform for the forewards so you need both.
Rhys L IMO has been the stand out go forward for us. Toby E is developing but his inexperience shows up sometimes with hot head reactions to stuff, as you say Dave W is stepping up a level and seldom breaks the line. Thakers is the experienced head but lacking in game time but makes impact when he is on, just not on long enough sometimes. (maybe the plans for interchange rule change will force a re think next year on players fitness)

Oscar is still pretty inexperienced but has come on leaps and bounds, as you say maybe a bit too much reliance on him so early is not helping.

8ull5 hit the nail on the head with the difference I think, Bradfurt have a bigger squad to pick from so can absorbe injuries and their is competition for places in the squad, think our squad due to numbers tends to pick itself.

Tackle technique from our lads is interesting, we maybe getting 3 in the tackle but no one lifting the foot off the ground to stop the attacker making the extra mtrs.

Speed at PTB is vital in the game, we are still pretty poor at trying to regain or dominating the ruck.

Just watched the match highlights and although it's hard to get a real perspective on the game seeing short clips I was pleased we crossed the Bradford line 5 times (3 held up & 2 knock-on in goal decisions) but equally disappointed with how easy the first two Bradford tries were. Hopefully that result will be reversed with our home game against the Bulls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCkWl7d ... freload=10

Just watched the match highlights and although it's hard to get a real perspective on the game seeing short clips I was pleased we crossed the Bradford line 5 times (3 held up & 2 knock-on in goal decisions) but equally disappointed with how easy the first two Bradford tries were. Hopefully that result will be reversed with our home game against the Bulls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCkWl7d ... freload=10

Looking at the highlights I think were unlucky with a few decisions. I thought two of our chances may have been given.

Possibly, but we didnt deserve to win.

Looking at the highlights think it's clutching at straws a little to think we deserved any of the decisions. First half effort both the ref and touchy were well positioned to see if ball was grounded or not. The one in the second half where he dropped it over the line, again ref was in a good position to see if he kept hold and did not even look at his touchy so must have been sure of what he saw. Our sideline defence looked poor, couple of missed tackles to let em in.

Much easier for the half backs if the forwards have laid a platform and given them field position. A half back's kicking game always looks better inside their 30m area than inside his own.

We kicked a 40/20, 2 plays later we dropped the ball.

And I think the reason that happens is because we never have dominant possession in dangerous areas often enough so they panic , think they have to score on every occasion as where not up here that often so they end up forcing it rather than building pressure by forcing a drop out or turning the ball over on there line , a bigger pack will give us more territory.

I'm with PC Plum.

The problem is the spine of side. Of 1-6-7-9, only Dwyer is consistently creating opportunities. Indeed, he has been instrumental in about a third of our tries. Trouble is, he is a one-trick pony (show right, step to left) and teams will learn to close him down. (He may have more tricks - he currently only needs one).

Watch the Bradford highlights and you'll see we have plenty of attacking field position and it almost all revolves around Dwyer or one pass from dummy half. Where are 6, 7 and 1 screaming for the ball and organising runners? It's been the same story all season and it's the reason we don't pull away in games we are dominant in and it's the reason the better sides can shut us out.

Hellewell is a good runner of the ball but offers nothing creative at 1. He is a novice there but a decent right centre. OT and Keyes are also struggling at 6 - perhaps either would go OK with a dominant 7 and 1 but we seem to have shrinking violets in these positions. It's a shame Mathers and Barthau are a way off fitness. Gilmore is the best of the current selection but I'm not even sure he trains with side!

What to do? With no reinforcements, I'd move Naiqama to 1 and Farrar to 6. Not ideal but at least they have some experience in these positions. The three novices at 1, 6 and 7 isn't working.

I thought Hellewell has looked pretty decent at FB. Macani has bombed too many chance s for me.

Hellewell played FB all the time in our academy.