Absolute certainty. It is a marathon not a sprint. Increased my wager from half a crown to five bob.

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Well from what I saw yesterday, it may well be a hard struggle until we get the more experienced bodies back, because although it was a gallant effort, it really was men against boys and to lose Jake so early was just the worst luck. Litten's injury looked a bad one and if the tackle was illegal, then it was a red all day as he was in a bad way when stretchered off, certainly looked like there was some real concern for him but I was glad to see he was "okay" at the end.
If Ben McNamara was any good, he'd be with his old man, he's not going to be adequate back up I feel , he looks slow, ponderous and his kicking was nowhere near , Leeds took a twenty restart just about every time he hoisted a fifth tackle bomb, so far off was his radar .
Positives? That Mackintosh, Carlos and Fash did well and Joe Lovodua looked lively and strong.
Cannot help thinking that Brett will be under some real pressure after 4 games in though.

Just seen the Litten incident again on video, was a legal hit I'd say and I think the whiplash and subsequent collision with the pitch did the damage. I think Gale looked good when he was on the pitch, daft yellow by him , but he already talked more than our last captains did in a full season and I like the look of him, just need him to stay fit for the season though.

Jakes boxing training doesn’t seem to have helped, why risk the best hands in the business, thought Fash & Houghton were outstanding, leading a very young side against an almost complete Leeds outfit, understandably as it was men against boys, some very good experience and lessons will be learned by the likes of Walker and Litten etc.

An excellent turn out from the old faithful, showing their appreciation for Toms endeavours for us, he’s a really cool guy, and an ambassador for the game, Schofield could learn a lot from this young man.

I believe this season we’re going to have to grow into it, no point in being to despondent, it is what it is, and some valuable experience will be gained by others.

Not quite the same Vasty, but your post reminded me of Alan Prescott in the Rorkes Drift Test, five minutes into the game he snapped his right arm, Prescott the skipper played on and unbelievably managed to do the Australians in Brisbane, fearless men in our game.

The original Rorkes Drift Test was not that one in the 50's but the 1914 3rd Test at the SCG. With the series at 1 all England beat Australia to win the Ashes after playing with 10 men for most of the second half. Claimed by some to be be the greatest Test match of all time.

While working in South Africa in 1966 I visited the Rorkes Drift Battle site- nothing much to see really but I understand it has since been markedly improved to be an interesting tourist site.

Seems injuries are happening to all teams with Leeds sending Newman for scans on his hamstring and our dear neighbours seemingly losing a couple more to injury and in a physical sport its not surprising. Maybe they should go back to having a pint and a fag at half time like the good old days . In all seriousness though and this may sound daft but I do wonder if players are now just a little bit too fit in terms of their bodies being maxed out all the time?

Hoping for positive news on Jakes hand but if it is indeed broken then it is what it is and we'll just have to adapt. Also pleasing news on Davy Litten as thought he was going well and looks a real prospect.

Hopefully come the first game of the season we will have some bodies back which BH has intimated that they rested some with niggles and big Chris and Bowden should be OK to go.

Indeed Freddie, “veteran league men, described the victory as a repeat of the famous Rorkes Drift test of 1914. and probably only the Rorkes Drift Test could compare in raw courage with what England managed that day in 1958” Alex Murphy from his book Saint & Sinner

£8000 was the very best bit of business, Saints signing another South African Tom Van Vollenhoven from the same book.

Could now be 3 or 4 weeks, pain thresholds permitting.

So, optimistically, 1 or 2 matches.

Jake to miss around a month due to a fractured hand and will likely only miss a couple of games according the BH rlmore on it hererl

I agree Rider its going to be half a season for us but fans wont pay to see that.Opening games with positive results are important especially for fans to buy into the wave.Realistically if we do go 0/3 or four not only does player confidence go but so do the fans.
Fash and Brown worked hard yesterday but teams are not going to be shaking in their boots coming up against Bowden,Fash and Brown in our front row.
We also have no credible back up at half back.McNamara had a chance to shine yesterday with another pre season training behind him but is far too slow and if he stays with the club will end up at nine.
Hodgson is doing it tough with all the injuries to key players but the club need to go out into the loan market for at least a front row with some size.

I'll take that!