I thought we played well today and the game could have gone either way but we lost momentum when we gave them the ball after that forward pass on the wing they then got a few sets of six after we gave away 2 silly penalties which cost us. They had done the same in the first half when we had the momentum.
Well done for coming back at them when 12 nil down, what a superb try by Ben Johnson it was terrific. We made them struggle for the first 20 minutes or so of the second half and but for them just getting to the ball in their in goal area who knows?
Thing is I feel happy that we are a lot closer to Fev than last year, they are not quite as good this year I feel and we have got more strings in our bow now, we actually got the ball out wide a lot today with some good hands and cut out passes.
So all in all happy although how lucky were they with that last try, was it a knock on or ball strip?

If you support Halifax it was a knock on, if you support Fev it wasn't


There were two or three crucial mistakes by us, as above the forward pass, Scotts holding down (I think that's what the penalty was awarded for) and if I dare say the kicking game in the first half was not good.
I think 3 , into dead ball, but hey, a bonus point. Am I right in saying that last year we didn't get one?
Incidentally according to "The Community Stand" every one of our passes was forward and every play the ball we were off side?
Funny moment of the day?
The ref penalising us for not playing the ball correctly? How on earth do you pick out one play the ball in an entire game that isn't played correctly?
Still a lot of hard work to be done, I am very excited, mind you, I am watching the women on Dancing on Ice.
Phew.

Really? Your feeling happier about the season after watching that? I have just read the courier report and your comment on here but all I can say is I must have been at a different game. I thought to say the game was competed between two of the supposed best teams in the division it lacked passion, intensity and most importantly quality.

The biggest positive I can bring from the game is that fev are nowhere near the team they were a few seasons ago. On the flip side neither are we. I have seen us play better than that today at fev and still lose by 40, thats how low in quality todays game was.

Also why were the fax fans so subdued? The fev fans tried to get the singing going but as a whole the atmosphere was flat. I thought it was a poor show from both players and fans alike.

Que the abuse for my "negative" views but I just feel both sides should be so much better than what i have witnessed today.

Taken from the Leigh site.
"Bloody forgot Barlow he was a beast today that lad takes some stopping & has a good off load like big dog Duffy"

I still think our forwards are just as good but, personally I am glad he is enjoying his rugby.
Well done Sam.

No abuse from me, I believe every one is entitled to their opinion, even if in my humble opinion it is wrong.
Part of our party today were two people who were last year disillusioned and stayed away for a few games (something they have never done before) they both left saying what a good, exciting game it was and are back in the fold.

How can a team play better than today and lose by 40?

As for the singing, yes the Fev fans did try and get the singing going, it was "The Community Stand" but I refuse to join in with "Wan2y Wan2y Halifax" or "The referees a Wan2ker"

For my friends at Fev, well done, good banter in the "Last drop" and during the game.

Don't know if it's a coincidence but last twenty mins against Swinton and last fifteen today sees Fax concede five tries , score none and generally look sloppy . Credit to both Swinton and Fev for finishing strongly but I just wonder if it's a fitness thing ( mentally and physically ) that's happening . Could be a valid point or should we see how they get on in the next couple of games as it is still very early on in the season .

We'll if the cap fits.

Don't think it's a fitness thing, think it's the fact that two of our friendlies were called off. When we get game time together things will click, in my most humble opinion.

Sadly Barlow wasnt good enough to get in our team so we had to get rid, if h can make a go of it at Leigh then good for him but realistically the lad has had more clubs than Tiger Woods and he must only be in his mid twenties, wont be long before he is causing trouble.

Its going to be a massive game when Leigh come to ours unbeaten, by that time they should be well above their station.

Chokers

It is going to take some doing to take that tag off Fev. What is it now something like 2 grand finals, 1 NRC, the playoff semi final last season and the NRC semi final against us.

Not long at all, he's already caused all sorts of trouble for Batley and Barrow in the last couple of weeks

the only difference in that game was one side was full time and one side was part time. he hard question for us is which one was which?

great to see all the lads that didn't go commenting on how badly we played and that we're doomed! the only difference between the two sides today was fitness (full time team/part time team). if we were full time, our ball skills/game management would've won that game without much hassle.

Johnston for GB

Well as a fev fan I can't see how any fax fan could possibly be happy with that today.. As much as were all delighted with the result I haven't spoken to one single fev fan after the game who was happy with the performance. Not to mention the abysmal one sided referee, who gave fax everything.

We are still without Briggs and Kain, but the fact that the painfully slow bussy has been given the #6 Jersy is very worrying. add to that the fit Hardman cant even get in the 17 man squad i just hope that Bastian isn't trying too many changes too soon.

2 very poor teams today, maybe a bit early to judge either team with so many changes. But vast improvement required form both to challenge leigh

As with any game there were some good points and some not so good.
Johnston at times caused them some real problems and can only get better.
Brachek put in some big carries without the knock on's.
With 15 minutes and 2 scores in front the forward pass on the exit set and follow on penalties completely changed possession and momentum.
Wise after the event but 2 scores in front with 15 to go keep it simple and get to the kick.
On the other hand if the pass had have been good we are in at the corner and game over.

The referee had a decent game, you lot are just used to bullying referee's at your place & don't like it when they don't fall into the trap. Kain should do as his coach asks him and keep his mouth shut, that's why he isn't getting selected. He's due to play in the reserves midweek at Leigh according to Bastian after the game. Fev fans might have to start to give the opposition a little bit of credit for making their own side look ordinary i'm afraid, rather than Fev were poor again comments. There's a lot at stake this season, some clubs are desperate to succeed.
I was more than happy with our performance & pleased we came away with the BP.

For me some players at times forgot to bend their backs. Murrell at times was tackling like a beast then was a human revolving door.

Adamson has had two poor games in my opinion - made some poor decisions too.

Bracek and Divo played really well for me. Heaton too played well but he is not a winger.

The referee had a decent game, if he was one sided - why did he give the last Fev try from a blatant knock on. we spent part of the game explaining the rules to Fev. fans.
You can`t straddle the dead ball line and take the ball out of play, only allowed on touch lines. You cant be offside when the opposition ask to take a quick tap. etc. etc.
The Referee cheats If you don't know the rules!!!

don't get me started on the crossing rule as well. Had to remind fev fans it isn't american football, you can't have a blocker

Probably worth mentioning that Fev are not full time.

Well slappa my thigh , "Getting above our Station ", how dare we ?You will want to Chastise us next

.

You've put quotation marks around something which GFB never said. That's criminal. Your clown's pocket should be sewn up for that.

Good afternoon Rich , English was never my strongpoint at school , now Italian , That's Amore ,hope you are well ?I told you have faith in Fax , apparently you played OK against Fev and it was a close game , as you says its early days yet , but don't get envious about our Comfy start to the Season , our game at the Shay will be the yardstick , im taking nowt for granted yet .

Got to disagree when Barlow left he took our line busts/offload
game with him and thus far not replaced.