Late notice but the Plough Lane and the surrounding roads are a mess due to a water leal yesterday. Avoid Plough Lane entirely I'd suggest. Expect delays. Hope both teams arrive in good time.

We made slightly hard work of it but the score line was an accurate reflection of the teams respective ability.
Our forwards were good which was just a s well as most of the game was played down the middle. Both teams worked hard. Crowd was lively but not massive. 50 max in corporate say 700-800 all in. A few from Barrow decent atmosphere. I. noticed quite a few new faces, R U fans ? And younger people so that is positive. This was a performance that might bring them back......if we’re playing at home any time in the next few months. Sigh.
Some observations from a non expert before I start drinking:
Our kicking game is just not as varied or good as other teams including Barrow- Walker dealt well with it although he continues to prefer to crab sideways for no gain rather than gain metres by running vertically. I really think we need to think about getting someone in who can kick.
Albert/looks in decent condition and is making more of a contribution but I’m not sure he’s a world beater.
Waine is doing well.
Bill Leyland is coming along nicely.
Henry R isn’t as dominant as I thought he’d be.
We played without wingers for large stretches of the game which seems odd.
Natoli and Stock continue to do well. Barrett a little quieter today but did well.

Yeah we did make heavy weather of it at times but we got the win and overall I think we were worthy of it.
Would be nice to have someone like a Sammut to vary our kicking game, even if it doesn’t always work out ( short restart?) at least he’s prepared to mix things up.
My son came along for the first time this season, he’s often working at weekends, we were both impressed with the work of the forwards, especially Waine.
Good spell in the first half with 3 unanswered tries but then we let Barrow in for an early 2nd half try to put us under unnecessary pressure- so London, eh?
Made the most of playing against 12 in the second, and got the points before we go off on our travels- shame is that any non-regulars who enjoyed today won’t be able to see us back at home for weeks!

Just a few of words of praise for some that I usually berate.
Firstly I thought the ref managed the game well . Let play flow well, no nitpicky decisions, and certainly none of those inexplicable decisions that really rile the crowd - well done ref.
Secondly to the club’s web person - match report posted on the website ready to read on the journey home- well done.

Just wish he would receive the ball with momentum. He only seems to accelerate once in possesion.

Overall, I though we were OK but no better than that. Pretty solid down the middle both in defence and attack but lacking creatively and especially on last play. Bill Leyland has been our most impressive player for me this season. Dynamic and enthusistic and certainly making the most of his chances.

I thought this too and I think some of it is game planning. We seem to favour going sideways and dropping the ball off to Macani on kick reception, in the hope he can use his speed and acceleration to get round the opposition. I would like to see all of our back three go a little more direct at times though, Alex and Paul aren't exactly small bodies

Basic principles, Space - Pace - Advance.

I hate the lateral play, and as a former RU player turned junior coach, when you see the opposition is going lateral it says to me that they are out of ideas, low on confidence, poorly coached and as a result the rest of that team are going to have to bust a gut getting the even get to the gain line. In League, I find this amazing that attacking teams still crab as they have so much more space in run into after a completed tackle.

I am now a RU coach for juniors, and I have a World Rugby Level 2.

My 10 year olds even know that when in unstructured attack
1. Claim the Space, you run direct you are going to take 1,2 even 3 players with you
2. Hit the ball at Pace. there is a time and place for throwing it down the line, but never adopt a mindset of passing down the line to get around the opposition defensive line.
3. Always Advance, never sideways. A exercise I do with my boys and girls in a end of session training match is if I see any signs of crabbing, I blow the whistle, and throw the other ball to the defending team.

Build your training exercises around those basic principles. Seriously guys, it is not that hard.

Speed and acceleration isn't Alex's forte though.

I wonder what badges our current coach has ?

Mary Berry Proficiency in Victoria Sponge
Great Yorkshire Show Merit Eccles Cake section
& a bunch of fitness ones no doubt. Maybe some from the Scouts too.