doesnt look like mcnally is going to be playing super league for a good while yet then... when i saw him play last year against fax i didnt see anything special.. another hemingway

Last year we mullered Batley in this fixture and the likes of Fooey, Korky etc played, so I doubt it was last year you were moaning.

Yup I think you're correct. I remember coming out of the Batley ground though in the last few years saying something along the lines of 'The Giants team put out was an insult to paying spectators and Batley'

In 2008 you sent your entire JUNIOR Academy to play us in pre-season, which made that game a totally pointless exercise. The final score was 70-something - nil that day
It was slightly disappointing not to see at least one or two SL players in the Giants side today, however the game was still a decent and enjoyable contest.

I'll second that.

The point of the excercise from a Giants point of view was to see how the young lads were progressing.

To face a strong Batley team was a good test and I thought they came out of it OK.

We didn't pose much threat on attack but I thought we defended well considering the difference in age and therefore size and power. That period of defending 3 or 4 sets early in the second half with the slope against us without conceding was especially pleasing.

Ironically the lads I thought would make a difference didn't and some of the 'unknowns' did.

Alex Brown had a bit of a mare handling wise but looked strong bringing the ball out.

Gregg McNally didn't organise the team how I thought he might but did put in some good kicks.

Elliott Hodgson had a bit of an up and down match, some good breaks and some missed tackles.

I was impressed by the No 9 (great low down tackling and chasing) and the No 15 and No 16 (a Paul Jackson with hair) who both made good yards.

There was a good team spirit and you could see that the team played in a very similar manner to the first team - 2-3-4 in the tackle and a narrow defence.

As for Batley the No 5 Campbell was the MOM and a good prospect.

I'm sure Alex Brown will get some stick from the Batley lads when he goes back there as he tried punching one of their lads lights out and got sin binned as a result. That's a lesson for Alex - keep your discipline and you will stay on the pitch where you can make difference. Off the pitch you're worthless and more importantly ask your team mates to do an extra shift for you.

Well worth £10 for mine.

The penalty count spoiled it as a contest. We just never had a chance in the second half because we kept getting pinged.

I felt a bit ripped off to be honest but not at the fault of Batley who I suppose are my 2nd team. My man of the match for us was someone who I only noticed in the 2nd half, without hoping not to offend he appeared to have a slightly chinese appearance, think he was playing at hooker. A few times when we kicked on the last tackle he was the only one showing any urgency to pressure the ball returner, plus he was tackling above his weight all the time too.

True.

But that's another learning process.

This will certainly happen in future games of the lads that played. It's how you react to that adversity that counts.

Lose your disipline / whinge to the ref and lose your concentration and you're soon another 6 points down.

I just hope Alex Brown has learnt a good lesson today. If he hasn't he won't make SL.

That's the No 9 Ivor C & G mentioned. Impessed me aswell.
I thought he was the only one showing a good chase on the kick.
Mind you chasing a kick up that hill must be a killer.

How on earth did they get that game on???