Ok folks , I'll be first with my head on the block !

25 - 18 To the Cougars

First Try Gav Duffy.

Att 184.

Over to you .....

Too many unknowns, how have the new players at Newcastle gelled? What team will we put out? Will we take it seriously?

Could be anything from a big loss to a close game.

I just hope there's no fisticuffs, judging by the disciplinaries so far, we are due a couple of suspensions from the last match

Thunder have some good players and have put some good performances out in last 12 months.

They beat Rams recently and only a fool would underestimate them.

If we have weaknesses and I think we do, then Thunder will be exposing them.

Discipline being out biggest weakness.

To be honest I see Newcastle as one of the better
teams this season , maybe Dark horses.
they signed well from what I saw on 'love rl ' site ,
including 4 South seas islanders although If I remember
right one of them went back.
Also the fact that Stanley Gene Coaches them is a major point.

Not optimistic: horrible weather, heavy ground, they have big forwrds, we will probabaly do well to keep it close.

Cougars 22 Newcastle 18. Att 245

Terrible game, no atmosphere, Newcastle to win, and that is being pessimisticly optimistic

Did you enjoy game Leaguefan?

The lads did stand up today and defense was fairly solid.
They did not appear to miss the twins on the field.

In attack we couldn't decide if the ball was a hot potato or bar of wet soap.
Far too much dropped ball. (I guess that is what pre season is for.)

Discipline was ok most of the game.

Rolo was our stand out forward.

The more immediate worry will have to be the lack of crowd.

If players wages were coming out of today's takings.
Once the transport, stewards, doctor, physio, bar staff etc had been paid, I doubt the players would have enough left to buy a small frozen chicken.

As for the tax man. I guess he will have to wait for his 37p also.

If crowds stay this small then a tough season will be upon us very soon.

As much as the others who can't be bothered anymore turning up. I follow the team via media. My days of pouring money into the various incarnations of the club are long gone.