On paper Hurrell a fantastic replacement, pleased that having lost a centre, we actually get a centre as a replacement, rather than someone who plays in a completely different position, disrupting the whole team. My only concern is that the strength of last weeks performance was built on committed defence by every player - Hurrell should doubtless add something to our attack - less convinced about his defence, particularly if understandably he's not to thrilled to be playing for Fax at what is a fairly awful ground in front of probably a few hundred supporters.

Apart from everything else mentioned that looks to have gone up a notch I hope Hansen’s tactical kicking game can be another asset for us.

Hurrell coming in shows how small and fragile our squad is. One player is out due to an injury ( it could also happen through on field injury or ill health) and we have no one to step into that place. 2 or 3 players go out for whatever reason and I think we will be stuffed. Fax win by 12

What a fantastic result today, especially the second half, 0v22! A pity we let them score 14 in't first half though. Three Pigs, White Rat 4.0% Mmm!

Well played Fax. Looks as if the prophecies of doom for this season are wide of the mark.

Excellent win.Not overly impressive in first half and I thought we’ll see what Eastmond’s team talks are like at half time…

Living with an 8 hour time difference sometimes makes it frustrating, looked halftime scores at midnight, feeling here we go again, same old story, just looked at the scores at 6 am and wow, what a joyful read, well done ‘Fax, looking forward to watching the game on YouTube in a couple of days, with a few more wins maybe the radio guys will start to once again broadcast some’Fax games disrupting my sleep pattern. Onwards and upwards ‘Fax.

[quote="Bullseye":3fcxbz78]Well played Fax. Looks as if the prophecies of doom for this season are wide of the mark.[/quote:3fcxbz78] Said a few times now, having Calcott and Douglas back makes it feel like we have signed 2 of the best props in the league for this season and that will make a huge difference. We will need a lot of luck with injuries with the squad been so small but hopefully we continue to get players showing a good attitude on DR which could make up for that and no reason we can't be around the playoffs if that happens. Not many teams will go to Sheffield and win, it's a great start to the season for us.

Great performance from the lads. we dominated territory for most of the first half with the eagles not being bale to get out of their own half. Then a charge down from us, a penalty and a dodgy 6 again call gave them some territory. It was a bit worrying that they scored of each one and probably only time they got into our 20, some of it down to adhoc play and getting offloads away. But the lads regrouped and didn't give the eagles a sniff at all in the 2nd half, battering them back in defence and making them play from deep. As GFB says having Douglas and Calcott back is massive for us, giving us so much go forward. Fairbank is playing as good as he ever has, he just seems to be everywhere. Shame about Mccarron and hope the injury isn't as bad as feared. He has been a great addition, he ran such a strong line for his first try.

No point in repeating what has already been said only adding that this team have a real bond and spirit between them who really want to play for each other putting their bodies on the line from minute 1 until the final whistle with the fitness levels to do so. No surprises in what a difference having the middles with the grunt to dent the line in attack and dominate in D can make. (We need to get pen on paper for a couple of extensions asap before others come sniffing round especially with Douglas & Calcott.) Pleasantly surprised how well Kyle Eastmond and staff have done right from the off, if his easy on the ears yet astute determined manner in the interviews are anything to go by (which are light years ahead of previous presentations) you can see how the team would want to be part of his way of approaching and playing the game. Still a long way to go and some good sides to go against with 2 injured already on the field and still some off the field issues to be resolved before feeling a bit more secure with it all.

I was sceptical when Kyle was first announced as Head Coach, but I’m so pleased to have been proven wrong; what a perspicacious piece of recruitment it is proving to be.

Said yesterday, Kyle Eastmond could be the first coach we've had in a very long time who goes onto better things. He's young, played at the top level under some top coaches in both codes. And is obviously hungry to make a name for himself. No idea who he has working under him thanks to the brilliant announcements from the club, Is Jimmy Lowes involved? Who is the lad with the dreadlocks who's involved in the warmups and running messages onto the pitch? Team looked good yesterday, Sheffield capitalised on a few oppotunities we gave them, but on the whole we defenced brilliantly. Going forward wasn't perfect but new systems take time to work fully, Could have had a couple more tries had some passes come off etc. Having been nilled twice by sheffield last season, to go there and win on opening day is a good result. Would be peak Fax to get beat by Barrow next week now but lets hope that doesn't happen!

Thought Hurrell embraced it pretty well yesterday,despite bombing a try..a blockbusting centre and a go forward pack..a halcyen day indeed..!

[quote="Miserybusiness":3a42a4gn]Thought Hurrell embraced it pretty well yesterday,despite bombing a try..a blockbusting centre and a go forward pack..a halcyen day indeed..![/quote:3a42a4gn] He did well and deserved a try, Can't knock him for that before half time, had the pass come off it was an easy try in the corner. If he'd have kept going and not got it down he'd be accused of been greedy and thinking he's too good for us. But his overall 80 minutes was decent. Would happily have him back again next week! Someone suggested we've got him for a month but not seen that myself

Hope we do have him for a month...They wouldn't have stopped him IMO,but it's just that..

Fantastic result for Fax. Was interested to watch from afar following your display against Catalan. Looks like Kyle Eastmound is building something ?

Cracking result to start the new season.I won't repeat what has already been said just to add i thought Hansen's kicking game was good especially in the second half. I am still not convinced about playing woodburn- hall in the halfs i get it from a defense point of view i just do not think it plays to his strengths in attack. And if we get to keep Hurrell we need to find a way of using him more, on the few occasions we got him early ball he caused them no end of problems and could of easily scored just before halftime if he gone himself. Just hope that McCarrons injury is not too bad with our small squad and him making a impressive start to his time at the club.

It's not that Hansen's kicking game is any better than Keyes,it's that it's now contested,particularly by Salty,which makes all the difference and what we've been needing for years...

Just re-watched the game, think I saw more defensive contact wins in one game that the entirety of last season. Was strange seeing Sheffield players on their back getting up slowly.

I noticed that when the squad was announced for the Sheffield game, Hurrell was sponsored by the Fax Trust ........ I didn't know DR players were sponsored so maybe there is some sort of short term loan? It'll be great if he's in this Sunday's team and should attract some more fans ...... the club needs to make sure they advertise his presence of course! Great win at the seagulls, it's a breath of fresh air with a new batch of players/coach and dispensing with the old guard of years gone by.

Would be risky to advertise Hurrell's presence if Saints were to make him unavailable on the day of the game, which could happen!

Not if he's on a month's loan as opposed to DR..but who knows what the agreement is or what rules we're using this week...

In the stuff sent to community clubs this week it's suggested that Hurrell will be playing.

[quote="Nat (Rugby_Aholic)":2o8tep83]Just re-watched the game, think I saw more defensive contact wins in one game that the entirety of last season. Was strange seeing Sheffield players on their back getting up slowly.[/quote:2o8tep83] Strange how being clattered 'round the head will do that to you!!

[quote="hawk-eye":1l0pgdgn]Strange how being clattered 'round the head will do that to you!![/quote:1l0pgdgn] Talking of head contact , hia protocols and player welfare how's old mark Aston getting on?