He took two big hits in quick succession, both just in our own half. Couldn't see the detail of the actual tackles, but you could see he was hurt.
He took two big hits in quick succession, both just in our own half. Couldn't see the detail of the actual tackles, but you could see he was hurt.
Watching from down here in Auckland I though Peyroux had a good game- solid and some positive runs. I know he is not a fan's favourite but good on him tonight.
Good to get a win in round 1. Thought we were really poor in the first half, far too many dropped balls and needless penalties conceded and we gave them opportunities to attack us. We clearly went out with the intention of offloading the ball and trying to run their older guys around the pitch but the ball just didn't stick. Defensively we were really good though and considering how poor our completion was we did well to go in just the four points down at half time I thought.
Second half we kept up the intensity in defence but got a foothold in the game. Fages' try was a big moment - we visibily raised and Leeds visibly felt it. Both teams defended really well IMO, we scrambled brilliantly and Makinson's tackle on the corner was a huge play. Both halves took some stick from their experienced back rowers but stood up really well. I predicted before the game that our bench would have the edge and it turned out that way IMO; the introduction of Roby made a big difference and Walmsley was sensational. I thought Wilkin had a really good game, Morgan showed some nice signs in attack and was solid defensively apart from the try which was a bit of a lack of communication between him and Richardson.
Attack wasn't great but we played without a 7 and 1 when Lomax went off so hardly surprising. Rugby is a simple game though, if you do the basics well you won't go far wrong. It was a very in-Saints v Leeds game in many ways. We need to reduce the errors and improve our decision making in attack but we showed plenty of guts to get the win.
Steve Prescott MBE (1973-2013)
V
Well I for one bloody enjoyed it! Really tight evenly matched and a nail biter. Yes we can look for faults but why it was entertaining.
It was entertaining bit to close for comfort for me but never the less entertaining kept me engrossed only noticed the clock in the last 3 mins so I was never bored which is what I want from a game of Rugby League, Looking forward to going to Leigh next week it will be my first time at their new stadium I hope Lomax is ok and back for that game and hopefully we can kick on an consolidate a win CoyS
Peyroux stood up tonight had a decent game run and hit hard (Soliola esq)
Douglas was poor his handling needs to get better got smashed all game
Tommy Lee was ok nowt special but will come in handy as the season progresses
Theo needs a special mention great MOM performance with Richardson along side him a good debut also.
Morgan got that tackle on Moon so wrong otherwise didn't see much from him to be fair.
Overall good first win great defence effort and bring on the Leathers
Agree on Peyroux, particularly when he went out to the wing, he took no pressure off the forwards by taking the ball in.
I agree Douglas made some mistakes tonight but I think once he is settled then he will be a huge player for us. Noticed most tackles he was finding the floor well and looking to turn in the tackle. Once he firms up his core to stop getting turned then he will be great. I liked he put his hand up a lot too, When he was on the field he was very visual in his wanting the ball.
Morgan looks dangerous. Few wobbles but if he gets early ball then he will be a great weapon. Please Please Please dont use him like we used Poor Shenton. Give Centres early ball when possible and leave the rest to them.
Solid from Richardson. Very vocal. Decent Kicking game. Good few touches. He will improve from it. I think we need give him 5/6 games then he needs to dominate our pack and field position.
Fages was fantastic. Really like this lad. He is 100% a trier and has a lot about him. Young lad who needs a steady 7 and he will excel. The size of him and the weight he plays above is impressive
I really enjoyed the game and I thought our defence improved beyond measure.
Pleased that KC gave Richardson his trust and he didn't let him down.Best debut from a saints youngster for some time.
I watched again when I got home last night and I thought that the diabolical penalty count in the first half and the 5 dropped balls gave leads a massive advantage in territory and our defence on those 12 extra sets was absolutely magnificent.
We need some work on attack but that will come.To be fair on another day we would have had another 4 tries and beaten them easily.The result flattered leeds.
I think Bentham will be absolutely gutted Leeds didn't win with all the extra help he gave them.One of the worst displays since Thaler in last seasons semi.
Learned comment from The Don
Your right Don Bentham and the Sky pundits were gutted We spoiled big Leeds are back party!
Some notable defence from Wilkin and Fages, 60 tackles and 42 tackles respectively.
Leeds & Wigan are masters of moving off the mark. When stood up in a 2 man tackle, once the ref shouts held they shrug both markers off and step to the side so the markers then arent square, then the 9 runs into them and gets a penalty. Hope this gets clamped down this year!
Is this a new rule? Because if it is I find it astonishing that it is just an extension of taking the ball dead with one foot either side of the dead ball line, now it will bring it further in field by applying the same to the try line. I think most people hated this rule and even SKY have slated it for some time now so I can't believe this is a new rule, more likely another piece of amateur officialdom (not just blaming Bentham here what do the touch judges see? if anything).
Enjoyed the game. Enjoyed the tackles and big hits.
Good to see Saints playing for each other. Credit to Fages Richardson compo considering they had no off season together. Fages is an incredible tackler and adjusts his tackle technique depending on the size of the opponent. Never stopped running.
Thought Wilkin did well and like to say even though I did not want him to start Peyroux was ok. Also Lee, although not outstanding did OK and can see him playing a few positons when needs must. Big Al did well which I mention as I have said I have been disappointed in him last season. A good team effort.
Watched the game on TV when I got home. The ref. Well just inconsistent would be my biggest gripe, which I think almost all refs are.
Concerned about how Lomax was dealt with. He got a head to head clash staggered to his feet he was assessed on the pitch and given the OK. He was not, he was staggering. Then got a ball kicked to him and almost fell into TM to hand him the ball. I noticed the RFL guy speaking to our doctor who to be fair did not look happy Lomax had not been brought off sooner.
Overall enjoyed the game which had some excitement until the end. Good start and some good performances from individuals as well as a team effort.
Also nice to see the MOM was given to the player everyone around me thought deserved it.
Vive la France I say
Humans are more concerned with having than being.
I know it's early days for the lad, but Douglas had a shocker last night. It seemed as though every drop or penalty against us in the first half came through him, hopefully it was just debut nerves.
Tough hard game. We defended well but i think a better team would have punished us for turning over so much cheap ball (Leeds looked pretty average and are lacking something).
We need to be better with the ball but hopefully that will come in time.
In round 1 a wins a win.
screaming in the family corner, scaring the kiddies
Another thing has just occurred to me.. Can someone explain why TM and AS from the get go were playing in the middles for so much of the game. In the whole game we had no wing play, which must be down to our wingers not being there. Ok TM was FB in the second half, but am I missing something about this tactic. At times Swift was first play the ball and passing to TM?
Humans are more concerned with having than being.