That's pretty much been us since we've been relegated. Half speed, but still pick up wins. As for the need of a proper 7, we've been saying that since last year.

Nothing to be ashamed of at all, and with more time to gel your many new players I'm sure you'll improve even more. I see you as a definite contender for the Top 4 on today's showing



As for us, well, it was workmanlike rather than spectacular. Some promising moments, but a few dumb moments as well - doesn't seem we learned much from last year in that regard.



Like everyone else, I've got to comment on Lauaki. So much for him being in the T&A going on about how he's much fitter after a pre-season - didn't see much evidence today! By my reckoning it was 11 minutes - punctuated by half time! Simply not good enough. With Kavanagh crocked after 10 minutes it simply isn't acceptable to have a bench prop that does so little. By the ned of the game Sidlow and Walker could barely get back into the line they were so tired!



What the hell Lowes sees in Lauaki I don't know...

You have to hope that when Crossley, Clark and Clough are all fit Lauaki won't get a look in. Might have to put up with him a bit longer if Kavanagh is now injured.



I was pleased with the performance. Reminded me a lot of the home game against Whitehaven last season. Conditions really not suitable for free flowing attacking rugby. Featherstone look to be a much better side than last year and were definitely up for the game so to get the 2 points and look in control for most of the match was a good way to start the season.



Welham impressed me a lot. I think he looks a much better player than Nielsen did. Defensively solid and offers a lot in attack too. Much better than the players we used in that position earlier last year aswell such as Henry.



I liked the look of all the other signings and think Mathers will prove to be very useful once he is up to speed fitness wise.



We've retained all the best/dependable players from last year and added better players to replace the ones we let go.



We looked very solid defensively and scored some nice trys.



Lots of reasons to be positive. We lost our first game last year and also lost to Fev at home so already a 100% improvement.



Also well done Batley!

Chris Ulugia with two tries and the break to set Ainscough up for the winning try.

I'm telling you, we let that guy go too early!!

This game proves to me that the T&A report a load of crap, Lauaki on for a total of 15mins. even less than last season and he is supposed to be even fitter. (crap) If Jimmy persists in only playing him for 15 mins then it will take a tole on other players later in the season, maybe we should ask Jimmy to explain his thought proses!



Also No big screen, No music for each player when the team is read out, No Bulllets!!!

Think those bagging Lauaki are missing the point. Its Lowes who chooses to only play him 11 minutes. Matty Blythe only played 15 before being subbed again. I'm not defending Lauaki as he's way down the pecking order in terms of quality props, but he played some decent minutes in the friendlies so Lowes could leave him out longer but isn't. Its Lowes use of the bench I have a bigger issue with.

Any news on Ben Kavanagh?

this. Mathers had made the tackle that lead to the kick, covering for Welham and Caro who were no where to be seen. If anyone was at fault for the try it was Ferguson who was caught ball watching and should have collected the kick.



I wasnt impressed with mMathers signing but he did little if anything wrong today. It was to be expected that he wouldn't be upto speed fitness wise as hes had no pre-season. The match fitness will come with time. I'd hope that Thomas will get a chance in at least one of the next two games while Mathers works on his fitness ready for Leigh game.



Lauaki didn't do much wrong whilst on the pitch it was just the short duration that was a big issue, especially when we were already a prop down due to Kavanagh's injury. If thats all he can manage then we need to have 3 props on the bench to accomodate him. Far from convinced what he adds on the pitch warrants that. Once Clough and Kavanagh are fit Lauakis going to have a real struggle on his hands retaining the fourth prop spot as Walker already offers more and would imagine Clark will too.

You recall correctly. He made a good tackle but unfortunately Fev exploited the lack of FB as he was trying to get back into position.



Hopefully Lowes intends to give Oscar Thomas plenty of opportunities to prove he is a capable pair of hands at FB. We've also got Campbell to come back into contention so players will have to be on their toes.

I thought both teams played well given the conditions. Far less errors than I expected .Fev look a well drilled side - some nice moves which will lead to points against many teams. I was impressed with our defence, Fev's second try excepted.

The new players did not disappoint.Mathers was sound in defence and organising others. Welham will prove to be one of the best centres in the Championship- his partnership with Caro looks promising. Kavanagh looked very steady before his injury- hope it's not as serious as it appeared. And Haggerty and Walker were more than adequate

As regards the use of subs, I do agree with the criticism of Luauki. With Kavanagh's injury we were already reduced to 16 and Luauki's ridiculously short spell effectively made that 15.5. Which placed a big burden on Sidlow ( who was superb) and to some extent Walker.

Five minutes into the second half Fev forced a goal line drop out. I watched Luauki walk to the goal line and lean against the post with his back to the opposition. At first I thought he'd been injured but then I saw him trot off and be subbed- never to be seen again. He is simply not fit.I would have much preferred to see Mellor on the bench. Of those forwards in the full squad who are not injured surely Fleming and Walshaw could have made a better fist of it.

A steady if un-spectacular performance yesterday. Most disappointing thing for me was the metres made by the Fev forwards after the initial collision.

I thought that too. Our line speed was slow and their big lads dominated ours (apart from Sidlow). We were lucky they didn’t seem to have a pacey dummy half. Somebody like Mickey Higham would make mincemeat out of that kind of defending.



While Sidlow was immense I wasn’t so sure about our other props. It’d be harsh to judge Kavanagh given his injury but Lauaki wasn’t on for long enough (down to Lowes or down to Lauaki’s lack of fitness?) so a lot fell onto Walker who offloaded well a couple of times but seems to run a bit too laterally and was outsized by the Fev pack.



In the backrow we were outmuscled a bit at times. Olbison got absolutely mullered on a few occasions and we often got picked up and carried back to where we started. Bringing Ferguson on helped us sort that out a bit thankfully.



I know the modern technique is to stop the offload but a few times we could’ve done with a defender going lower to stop the momentum after the initial collision. We allowed a lot of offloads. Luckily we scrambled really well and defensively we looked solid on our line. Our backs were well on top even if our forwards weren’t.



With Kavanagh probably out for the Whitehaven game Lauaki surely has to do more minutes? How long is Crossley out for?