northernbloke wrote:Really good to see the composure shown yesterday for most of the game. No white line fever like earlier in the season, playing out the sets and a good option on the last to make them start sets deep in the half.
Interception in games of past was a nailed on try.
Annoying things, that lapse after half time.
And not playing to the whistle! What ever the view on walker being taken out or not he stopped and appealed, from day 1 playing the game kids are told play to the whistle.
Cracking result in the end
There were at least 2 sets inside HKRs 10m area in the final 5 minutes where we took the wrong option on the last tackle - Fozard running it and Abdull with an inside pass. Both were very silly things to do with the clock ticking down and an 8 point lead. Put the ball in the in-goal area and force a drop out. Grind them down.
Other than that, and the customary 10minutes nap time just after half-time, I thought we were excellent throughout. Even when we went behind I was confident we'd come back into it. Loved the reaction to the dodgy try in the first half - from the kick off Butler smashed someone (causing Battye to smile widely on the sidelines), then Mason put in a big hit, followed by Yates with a monster. There was real intent in that response to conceding.
Having 5 rotating props has been a big step forward too. Counters our lack of size and allows us to keep going in the middle for the full 80.
Overall, though, we just look so much more battle hardened now.