Quite surprised to see Tim Smith & Ali in there. They looked like two that needed resting.

4. Lee SMITH

7. Tim SMITH

8. Justin POORE (c)

10. Andy RALEIGH

11. Ali LAUITIITI

14. Kyle WOOD

15. Kyle AMOR

16. Oliver WILKES

17. Frankie MARIANO

18. Kyle TROUT

19. Vince MELLARS

20. Reece LYNE

21. Matty WILDIE

22. Danny COWLING

24. Lucas WALSHAW

28. Liam KAY

29. Jon MOLLOY

30. Ben SHULVER

31. Daniel MASKILL

Justin Poore as skipper? That's a good call - maybe with a bit of responsibility on his shoulders, he'll be less inclined to deck someone.

Hard work picking a backline out of that. I'd be surprised if Tim Smith does play and i'd probably give Ali a rest as well. If Smith is to play (it would cup tie him and make him less desirable to suitors!!) then Lee Smith to fb, Lyne to the wing and Mellars to replace Wilkes on the bench.

Lyne
Kay
Cowling
Walshaw
Mellars

L Smith
Wood

Poore
Wildie
Raleigh
Mariano
Molloy
Trout

Amor
Shulver
Wilkes
Maskill

Not sure about Ali, looks to be carrying a bit more timber than last season. Also I don't think he is quite as effective as he was.

I think Ali is a bit like Solo, once he stops playing a while he piles on the pounds. I therefore don't think it would be a bad idea for him to play half a game...unless he is injured of course.

So much for the "No wholesale changes" quote from RA.

It's all part of the mind games

L Smith

Lyne
Mellars
Cowling
Kay

Wood
T Smith

Poore
Wildie
Raleigh
Mariano
Trout
Molloy

Shulver
Amor
Maskill
Lauitiiti

28. Liam KAY

19. Vince MELLARS
22. Danny COWLING
4. Lee SMITH
20. Reece LYNE

14. Kyle WOOD
7. Tim SMITH

8. Justin POORE (c)
21. Matty WILDIE
10. Andy RALEIGH

17. Frankie MARIANO
29. Jon MOLLOY
18. Kyle TROUT

15. Kyle AMOR
16. Oliver WILKES
30. Ben SHULVER
31. Daniel MASKILL

Suprised Kirmond is not playing. Last thing I would have thought he needs after a few weeks back after a long lay off is a week off

Seems like lee smith is kicking good

Lee Smith MOM by 100 Miles, Sykes needs to up his game as smith was great today and kicked every one he was asked to and scored for fun.
Hemel were value though and take nothing away from them, they came to give it there best shot and defensively they were a good opponent, last 15 mins our fitness took its toll and we tore them apart.
Good display by some of our fringe players too.

Smith was very impressive, was the best by a mile of the halfbacks to get a go, followed by Wildie and Wood lagging behind i'm afraid. Really don't see what he offers in the halves i'm afraid, especially at halfback. Of the young 'uns I thought most of them impressed with Kay doing himself the most good. He looked sharp and eager and showed a good turn of pace.

Wildie and Wood weren't good enough for me today, they had a real chance to step up and run the game in the absence of Tim Smith and failed to grasp it. Wildie has had a lot of chances now and perhaps should be moved on. Kay impressed, Maskill has a lovely pass on him and showed character to come back from a few errors. Lee Smith had one of his best games for us. It worries me how clueless we look in attack without T. Smith.

Full credit to Hemel played their hearts out, legs gave in at the end which allowed us to pull away.

Wildie was better than Wood IMO. Wood's performance convinced me that he will not make the step up to a SL half back, aside from the step and break right near the end I was quite disappointed with his performance in a game where he really should have stood out.