As a Fev fan, fair play to Bradford fans for their honest assessments of both sides on this thread. Am sure you'll travel in numbers for the return fixture like last year, and hopefully it will be a closer game this year!

Pretty much spot on Bullseye. Losing Kavanagh was a big blow as he's impressed me in the friendlies. Walker certainly put himself about more and made more of an impact than Lauaki or Crossley ever did last year. Probably ended up doing more minutes than he should. I'm not too alarmed about us losing the forward battle as we effectively played with 15 men yesterday and had two props. Throw Clough, Clark and Kavanagh back into the mix and we're a different animal. I'd like to see us use Clough, Sidlow, Walker, Clark, and Kavanagh all in the same game with one going in at loose. If Clough and Sidlow end up doing 65+ minutes again when everyone is fit then Lowes will have learnt nothing and we'll suffer same fate as last year.



I thought our backs were excellent, particularly defensively.

I thought Mathers had a great game, he was constantly talking to the line, letting people know where to go. Exactly what he said he would do in his interview which was refreshing. Some good try savers too. I would sooner see a defensive fullback, look what happened last year when we had an attacking one (Shaw) couldn't tackle a meat pie and it cost us a fair few tries.



Welham was outstanding in defence, he held off well when he needed too and read the game well. In my opinion one of the signings of the year, just needs to hold the ball more. Kavanagh is a very good prop, shame to see him injured. Hope he's back soonish. Lauaki is fitter, anyone at the Cas game saw he played pretty much a full half. Caro took his tries very well and his defensive work was also solid!



Nice to see everyone in at the end when Briggs punched Addy though, especially Walker. It is about time we had a bit of k**b in the pack, haven't had it since Elima.



Credit to Featherstone though. They came with a very very good side and their pack was good. I was impressed by the Number 17 (Ormanroyd i htink). Put himself about a bit. If they can keep that side fit I would say they could get into the top 4 regardless of the 4 fulltime teams. Good win to start the season.

Can't see Thomas playing much this season in all honesty. Mathers will more than likely need to get injured.



If Gaskell gets injured then Purtell goes to six, if Addy gets injured the Purtell will go to seven.

No disrespect to Cas, but it was their kids. If Lauaki couldn't impose himself on that game then he should just hang up his boots now.



10 minutes that breaks down as 5 minutes both sides of half time is not acceptable especially as we were down a prop. Hell, Mathers managed the full 80 and he's had no pre-season and hasn't played in 6 months. Lauaki is stealing money from the club.

It will be interesting to see if Jimmy keeps his word and uses the full squad available to him.

Hopefully Crossley is back for the weekend, but I'd like to see Fleming, Walshaw and Mellor all get some game time as well. Maybe even have one of Halafihi/Lumb as a bench hooker so that we can spell O'Brien if we manage to get some breathing space between us and Whitehaven.

Think the Whitehaven game will be tough. It will be bitterly cold on Saturday night and i will just be happy getting the win and our of there.



The week after agains Swinton I'd like to see some rotation before our big game against Leigh.

Don't know what to think about Whitehaven - I think they got mullered yesterday, for whatever reason, so they're not actually going well. I agree though, the long trip to places like Whitehaven, always feel very daunting.

I saw



Lauaki only playing 10 mins either side of half time, just like last year.



O’Brien playing the whole game without a rest, just like last year.



The forwards of a part time team boss the middle of the field with more aggression and enthusiasm than us, just like last year.



Far too much ball given away early in the tackle count trying to score from every set of six in their half, just like last year.

Sidlow was head and shoulders above everyone else yesterday - Welham was defensively sound but his ball carrying was suspicious at times. We got completely bullied in the forwards but came out with a good win in terrible conditions. Our back line was terrific. I felt that Gaskell had a quiet game by his standards, though he scored one and created another, some of his touches were wayward.



Well done lads. Good start!

Haven't seen much mention of this, but I thought Kurt Haggerty played very well.



He ran the ball in hard, tackled well and took no nonsense when there was a bit of niggle. He also (I think) did the full 80 minutes when all the other second rowers did spells.



Good signing

I have to admit that I was disappointed with his signing because I had him down as a filthy c**t - but hey, he has done well thus far so opinions can easily change.