I heard somebody say Fields foot was in touch for the try on 77 mins at 30-6. I had a look at it and it was close but there was green grass between his boot and the line when I froze it. I don’t think the comeback was on to be fair either way

It was never a 36-6 game and Wakey played exceptionally well in that first half. Lino was outstanding and luckily we turned up with a proper knock out game attitude. The three absences were big, absolutely no doubt about it. We had 4 first 17 players out as well but they weren’t key players like those guys are and the squad is pretty deep here.

Exciting times for Wakey anyway. Get the ground sorted and keep your key players and there’s no reason why you can’t keep progressing. Poaching looks to be doing a really good job.

I only got to watch the first half and it was a familiar feeing watching Wigan - sometimes struggled to get out of their half but showed great guts and quality in defence then have the game breakers when chances arise in broken field.

Sounds like second half was far more dominant overall.

Should be a brilliant GF and semi final - I’m very nervous about both!!!

Was great to see French getting really involved, the way he was trotting alongside Field for our first try bodes well for when he's fully match fit.

Bateman and Field were outstanding and good to see that Mago is looking fitter. Leuluai is having his best year in a while.

Also great that Zaks kicking has improved.

More than anything just pleased to see far more attractive and effective rugby - a complete 180 on last year. Well done Matt Peet and co. I don't think we can compete with Saints in the forwards which will make it very difficult to win against them but we couldn't have realistically expected more improvement than we've seen thus far.

Great to see us actually utilising offloads!

Such a strain on the defensive line and our star players thrive broken field not just constant block plays.

Hopefully we'll see Mago and K P-P working in tandem in the not too distant future, they could cause carnage with their off loads

Whatever you think about the quantity of Mago's work, he certainly showed the quality of it of it there, especially with his two-contribution assist. He looked gassed (as usual! ) after his off-load, but when play briefly broke down, he saw some space, ran into it, and delivered a perfectly-timed pass.

So, credit to Field for being there, and the coaching staff.

Been away so had to avoid the result until yesterday. I thought it was a fantastic performance. What I found particularly pleasing was the way we absorbed the pressure in that opening quarter. That was something you see from all the best teams in any sport; a resilience and resolve when it's backs against the wall and it was good to see we have that in the locker. We'll certainly need it if we're to have any designs on silverware.

Lots of outstanding performances again but it was a whole team effort. Faz, Bateman, Field and Tommy were top drawer but others had excellent games too. Cust keeps improving week on week, Havard had another strong game playing long minutes and Mago, whatever you think of his minutes, showed exactly what he brings to this team. He was a completely different point of attack when he came on in a way that no other front rower in our team is.

Glimpses, too, of just how effective a Field/French combination could be. It's imperative we get that firing to its full effect as it's what sets us apart from the rest of the league.

One other point worth mentioning: we've had many discussions about moving players out of position. Yesterday showed what a versatile team we have. At one time our entire backline was 'out of position' to some extent yet it looked totally assured. That will prove invaluable as the year wears on.

Probably the best performance of the season so far.

Have to disagree slightly John, it's the main thing I've been pointing out from day one about Cust.
Hes took the line on really well, close to the ruck mainly at times which has created a lot of space for others.
He challenges defences like George Williams did early days (possibly before he started to go sideways too much imo) and I keeps defences honest around the middles (whilst he's still.a.threat because at least 2/3 times a game he "Nearly" gets through) and the others benefit from the space around.

It's a little like what Lockers did for us for many years.

I agree Jukesy. Playing into the line that way is often a thankless task but it's absolutely essential to break up defences. It's noticeable that we're doing it much more this year with Mago, KPP, Tommy, Bateman and, as you say, Cust all challenging the defence to make decisions. All too often last year we passed too far in front of the defensive line making it easy for them to simply slide.

John, I had a similar conversation regarding the early sets with French on the wing but it seems a simple solution to just switch with the centre on the early sets. In addition you get the bonus of having French further infield where his footwork could be used to better advantage. I imagine this is part of the 'two fullbacks" idea Kevin Brown has been alluding to recently.

When he first came I thought he did that well, with his direct running but for about a month he seemed to just be directing traffic around him.

Both Tommy and Cust noticeably in my opinion were more direct and took the line on as you say keeping them honest.

I hope he continues to do that as it stops the defence just sliding across and making it easy to run the outside players towards the touch line….aka the best defender in the pitch.