Quote: jonh "I’ve not rewatched it yet but I felt Smith had one of his least effective games and put us under pressure a few times with early kicks.
I do like the early kick if we are under the pump, but they must find the deck and I don’t think on one occasion they did which put us under more pressure.
French out of the 2 halves put in some belting kicks in the second half though, which was welcome.
Will rewatch at some point though today and have another watch.
My man of the match was Marshy though.
Thought he carried out if the backfield really strongly, dealt with kicks (all be it they targeted Miski so wasn’t under as much pressure) and showed good composure to finish for his try.
Our defence last night though was the highlight for me. It was organised, effective, disciplined and at times brutal. A joy to watch.'"
Interesting you say that jonh as I thought the opposite, I thought he controlled the game fairly well after a shakey start. In fact he or KPP were my MOM but didn’t have much argument against Wardle either, nor if Marshall had have gotten it - he worked his backside off.
I must admit I was worried in the first half hour or so. Our forwards didn’t look interested and it was the backs taking balls up along the hard yards but as time progressed through that first half it became an obvious tactic to tire out the far more powerful Catalan pack and it was very effective too.
I thought we played a little too conservative in the first half but really came out to play in the second. It was more our own errors in attack that meant we didn’t win by a larger score line. Our defence was incredible and Catalans didn’t have any clear cut chances as I can remember despite utterly dominating field position in the first half. We just absorbed what they threw at us with ease.
I remember back to the KR game away on the first day of the season and thinking “here we go again”. Questioning this side, the players, tactics and wondering whether Peet would last. Even more so come June and we were 6th with little promise of a top 3 finish never mind a GF. Something just clicked, French really settled into that 6 slot and for me has been a revelation. Marshall, Wardle, King, Miski, Smith, Byrne, Ellis, KPP, Smithies have been superb consistent performers, I could definitely name more there too. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier, or prouder, to say I was wrong with my doubts. On paper we don’t have the best side, it’s a good side but not the best but what we lost there we make up for in bundles with attitude, effort and teamwork.
I cannot wait for next season and the potential of the 2024 side. Peet has at his feet a [ipotential[/i dynasty. Let’s enjoy this while it lasts.
