Top priority… if we haven’t Jowitt yet then Ellis should be camping outside his drive contract in hand and red carpet.

Pratt has that number 4 shirt sewn up. Hes everywhere, the yards, strong defence and breaks he made and he has a huge engine. He had Wood in his pocket pretty much all game. Hall will have a tough job keeping him out of the team and will have to fight hard to get that spot. Hard to look past Pratt at the moment.

Of the new signings. Mckmeeken strong in the middle. Storton had a good game, looked fit, got through plenty of work and he will be a good signing.

Scott and Walmsley look like they will be a very good pairing on the right.

Uele was strong, Rodwell was good too.

I can’t believe I’m going to say this because I’m one of his biggest critics… but Lino seems to work well with Trueman and they both ran the show emphatically thst first half. Hard to look past them starting round one.

Came away feeling for a bit better execution it could have easily been 50. Great to see the defensive resilience and structure from last season was there in abundance too. We will need that.

Not get carried away ofcourse but the signs are that our pre season has prepared us very well.

Hard to pick a m.o.m
I think our pack is very much SL standard and I was pleased with the halfbacks - yes, Lino was excellent tonight, but so we're so many.
Those first half tries were top drawer!
Good times ahead I think!

A good performance with many positives, the question could our forwards step up from the championship to super league was answered in style. Truman and Lino looked slick and took the ball to the Cas line committing defenders, allowing Scott to create havoc each time he had the ball.
The only wake up call was two soft turnovers that cost us tries, Rodwells late challenge on Arzi and a knock on coming off our line. Both invited an ordinary Cas team onto our line and score.
But I'm pleased with what I saw and I'm really looking forward to the season ahead.

Three players I didn't mention.

Croft. He's always been a big lad but he's worked hard in the gym. He was noticeably bigger in upper body and used it well at SR. That could be a really good switch for him.

Shaw, who ironically was the other player we let go in that silly contract situation, looked decent when he came on. He won't be our star prop yet but I won't be offended if we get an injury in front row and he's next in line


Walmesley, I really can't decide on him. Had some nice moments but I still worry about his confidence and size.
Hope he does well but there are some monster wingers in Super League and he's a long way from Jerry

It was a good team performance, happy overall.
Can't say much of the Cas squad but hard to tell in a friendly.
Anyone hear the attendance? The tannoy system in the East Stand is still pretty pants.

Just over 3000 I believe.

Highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp2zkky3q9w

Highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp2zkky3q9w

Cheers.

3079, good all round performance, really like Scott, forwards bossed the middle, when we threw it wide we looked dangerous, only 1 game, not getting carried away but really happy with that performance, as for Cas, a lot to work on there.

Thanks, yes Cam Scott was very impressive very close to MoM for me.
It was an enjoyable evening all round and glad a decent amount turned up for Luke Gale.

Hard to assess Cas. They have some holes but we've effectively just pointed them out so they have chance to plug them.
They can't start with Westerman at 6.
Thought the kid that came on was decent and I think Hoy could switch in there.

Cini who is a big signing for them had a stinker. Scott was just bullying him.
But an aussie coming over to that weather is tough going. I'm sure he'll be better in the summer.
They had some big hitters in defense but they were really unorganised.
They hit Rodwell hard early on but he just kept going and they ran out of steam.

They'll find it hard in SL but we all know they could come and turn us over if we underestimate them.
We'll aee

Seeing McMeeken do a solid 65 mins on his first game was impressive. With him Rodwell and Uele, who for me made the best impact on collision, we have a very mobile pack base. Add Atoni to the mix and it’s pretty good.
When I saw Watts doing 10/15 minutes and absolutely blowing, and then brining on the mini Hercules forwards, I knew we’d get a strangle hold on the game.