Far more determination and effort. Smith has made a big difference and both Sykes and Mathers look far better now he is back.

The ref was shocking and helped them as much as he could.

We won the collision every time. Their forwards weren't as strong in the middle without SOL.
We were under pressure as they were fast all over the park, very fast passing and a very dodgy ref.
If we had stood off them like we had with other teams they would have got 50 but we got stuck in and stopped their flow a lot.

Can't believe Gelling threw 2 punches yet didn't get even a penalty.

Yes and so did Matty Smith ,all he got was a pat on the back from the ref.

Also how many times did Wigan get up out of the tackle and take 3 steps forward before playing the ball. That Ref tried his best for them but in the end we were the better side.

Exactly Jack. They stole yards nearly every time.

We looked alot more determined and organized today, than we have most of the season. We should have had another few tries on the board aswell, dropped 2 sitters.

I also learned that if your Wigan- punching Matt Ryan will get you a penalty And that holding down, flopping and general messing around at the play of the ball is completely fine

Who was the ref

Mr Stokes

Feared the worst at 18 -12 after getting skinned down our right hand side but,
that was a fantastic win, absolutely brilliant and once again we can wear the Red, White and Blue with pride.
Top effort and great team spirit !!!!

(the only downside is the obstruction rule which is killing the game)

Well strictly speaking Wren, it only seems to be killing "our" game, not Wigan's. They seem to love it.

That's the reason, as a supporter of a club that struggles year in year out, that you continue to turn up and watch because that performance feels like it's worth the 200 quid alone. Will have a smile for a week. Fantastic team performance and can't say a bad word about any player. That is the attitude, endeavor and commitment we should be playing with week in and week out.


I wonder if people like Vastman will continue to downplay Tim Smith's contribution to this team over the past 2 years?

Spot on again, it was only applied to one side today. Along with punching and stepping off the mark , being a top side has plenty of benefits in the eyes of refs like Stokes.

The ref was an absolute disgrace. How we got pinged for obstruction where as Wigan got away with them at well. Gelling punched 3 players and got a pen, Marty Smith throwing sneaky uppercuts.

What a performance from the boys though, they looked fired up and played great. Mathers outstanding and I still think Tim Smith is one of the best scrum halves around.

After that tackle on taulima , what does it take to get sent off?? Then Wigan punch someone and get the penalty, we're they playing a different game???

The worst one today was the simplest.
We ran in to our own player, even though we stopped and the tackle was complete we conceded a penalty which rescued them and brought them up field.
Opposite end, right in front of ref same thing happened. Ref lets it go. They score.
Kirmond and Mathers were on the edge of a stroke they were so upset.

On that note though. Kirmond for once fired them up when he was so upset. Seemed to work.