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Post by davemorton on Mar 9, 2024 20:13:34 GMT
I woke up feeling rough, and failed to make the game at Park Lane, a thrilling affair which Sedgley managed to lose 31-34, to the final kick of the match. Elsewhere Sale FC won at table-topping Rams, and guess where Sedge are next week? We beat Sale easily enough, at home, before Christmas...
So I stayed in to watch Italy v Scotland. The older I get, the more I think sport should be a joyous celebration of youth and strength and talent. This game was magnificent. Yes, it was untidy and unstructured, with an Aussie ref who didn't bother about knock-ons too much. Actually. I thought he had a pretty good game.
It would take something special for Twickenham to equal it.
I am not sure it was better, but given the quality of the visitors, this was on a higher level. There was just a time when I thought England had lost confidence in their attacking intention, but a couple of changes fixed that. Smith must start at 10 next week, with Ford the safety-valve back-up. Feyi-Wabaso gave us a huge boost, the centres were great, and Furbank again, and obviously Earl.
So, something to look forward to next week, even if it's only for pride. I can't see Ireland blowing it in Dublin.
No much success for the Yorkshire clubs today, in National 2. They won only when playing other Yorkshire clubs!
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Post by hawke on Mar 9, 2024 22:48:05 GMT
Well done England. Welldone Leeds RL.
And well done Salford who beat St Helens away for the first time in 44 years. They were 20-6 down and it was odds on 45.
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Post by newby on Mar 10, 2024 8:50:38 GMT
Well done to Sheffield Eagles and Batley Bulldogs too for making the draw for the last 16 in the RL Challenge Cup.
Two more Yorkshire teams will join them today as Featherstone Rovers take on Wakefield Trinity and Halifax Panthers play York Acorn.
I hope lady luck gives all the 2nd and 3rd tier teams a money making home fixture and at least one of them gets a win.
In the league Leeds v St Helen's next Friday might be interesting.
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Post by newby on Mar 10, 2024 19:43:15 GMT
Featherstone Rovers beat Wakefield Trinity, and Halifax annihilated York Acorns so they go into the hat for Mondays 6th round draw.
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Post by davemorton on Mar 11, 2024 11:17:05 GMT
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Post by newby on Mar 11, 2024 22:47:39 GMT
Challenge Cup 6th rd draw, games to be played on the weekend of 22/23rd March.
Hull KR v Salford Red Devils Wigan Warriors v Sheffield Eagles Batley Bulldogs v Castleford Tigers Leigh Leopards v Featherstone Rovers Leeds Rhinos v St Helens Warrington Wolves v London Broncos Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC Halifax Panthers v Catalans Dragons
Batley Bulldogs might have a chance against Castleford on current form. Leeds Rhinos now host St Helens on consecutive weekends
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Post by donnylad on Mar 12, 2024 14:34:21 GMT
Overall, a most enjoyable weekend's rugby union. Rollicking England Ireland under 20s game and then the 3 senior matches.
I am reminded of a line from "Sospen bach' .... "Who won the wooden wooden spoon"? I don't think they mean England this time.
The English back 5 played wherever there was a space and a need - Lawrence scored a winger's try and Furbank a centre's. I saw what DM means about Slade (for the first time) and Furbank is quick, b****y quick - see the set up for the first try. Freeman looked a handfull and when did anyone last see n England winger in there mixing it with the pack like Feyi-Waboso did?
But the old truism was born out. Forwards win matches, backs decide by how many. Martin was excellent and the back row that got so much stick from armchair selectors ... dead simple .. at central scrums Chessum packed at number 8 leaving Underhill and the magnificent Earl as wing forwards. On short blind sides they put Chessum at 7 and left the other 2 at 6 and 8. Ask Bundee Aki about that!
Genge, Cole and Marlar saw off the irish props and the much vaunted back 5 of the Irish scrum were just not seen.
Enormously enjoyable match and a drop goal to win it!
My one concern is that Wales played the French in to a better sort of performance which may well lep them next week and of course, "S'forza Italia"!!
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Post by davemorton on Mar 12, 2024 14:46:39 GMT
You bloody forwards! Just give us the ball, often and early...and stop getting in the way! We don't go into the scrums, do we?
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Post by newby on Mar 12, 2024 15:24:29 GMT
Feyi-Waboso ruled out of the game against France in Lyon due to feeling the effects of concussion.
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Post by davemorton on Mar 12, 2024 16:38:59 GMT
What a shame. I suppose they will just restore Daly in his stead. Please not that. Bring in Steward, or go 'left field' (whatever that means) and pick Bath's big Yorkshire Horse, Will Muir.
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Post by davemorton on Mar 15, 2024 10:16:19 GMT
Four big RU games tonight: the 3 remaining U20 Six Nations matches, from 7pm, with France v England kick off at 8 o'clock, BBC red button I'm sure.
Also Gloucester v Leicester in the final of the Premiership Cup. which is 7.45 on TNT. No Six Nations players, obviously, but there are still a few stars, like Handre Pollard and Zach Mercer. Perhaps, also, a couple of wingers better than Elliot Daly!
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Post by newby on Mar 15, 2024 10:41:58 GMT
Another two screen job tonight as Leeds Rhinos take on St Helens at Headingley, and of course the England U20 game.
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Post by newby on Mar 15, 2024 23:15:51 GMT
Well done to England's U20's in winning tonight and taking the crown. I think it makes up for the disappointment of the last minute try that gave Ireland the draw last week.
On my other screen not so good for the Rhinos. Excellent first half but they lost their spark in the second and looked short of ideas.
St Helens are still the level to aim for, maybe next week.
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Post by hawke on Mar 16, 2024 23:38:42 GMT
No live sport for me this weekend. Family commitments. Glad I missed Ilkley’s home defeat. Ilkley short of some of the best players. And perhaps motivation as they are all but safe, unlike Doncaster Phoenix their opponents.
Depressed by Hull FC’s start to the season.
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Post by davemorton on Mar 17, 2024 10:11:44 GMT
The U20 game against France was about as good as rugby gets, and how great to see a big crowd in Pau, the rugby heartland. Like England now playing at Bath; same principle.
I opted to watch the final day of the Six Nations rather than go to see Sedge lose at Sale. We were actually leading 17-7 at HT. It's the hope that kills. Sale scored four tries in the second half, and we got a late one for one bonus point, 24-35. We're still a mile ahead of the relegation zone, with weeks running out for the bottom clubs, who aren't going to win anyway.
Today I go to Park Lane for a Colts cup match.
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