I don't think our pack is strong enough yet. If you recall, Leigh spent most of the regular season last year with a decimated back line yet a hard, big set of seasoned forwards which pretty much was the beating of all the Champ teams they came up against. They didn't even get their half backs in place until the middle 8's really. Our pack looks to be too small and too young at the moment.

I have now. But clearly not enough.

Debaser, Bongser is reminded of a sign in some halls bar in Bradford (many years ago when Bongser was a student at The University there) that read something like:

This bar is dedicated to gentlemen that can buy their beer, drink their beer and yet remain gentlemen.

Lesson for life, learned in Bradford - and Bongser does try to adhere to that underlying sentiment.

He does, also, recall a pub, close to campus, named The Fighting Cock. Bongser went there with the rest of (a pretty decent) B University RL team that was only playing Newcastle Poly (now something like the Uni of Sth Shields - they hadn't won all season in the BUCARLA league). The next day we led 24-0 at HT only to lose 24-26. Legs gone.

Bongser bought his ale, supped his ale, but couldn't even remain a mediocre rugby player.

Bongser tells you this merely to let you know that, when he voices his support in Bradford's present predicament, it is from someone that lived in the city and played the game there (to the best of his modest ability). He genuinely hopes that things work out over there

Hey, I went to Bradford Uni too. I didn't manage to do anything quite as energetic as playing a sport though, but yes, lots of beer.

Drinking beer, especially in Public Houses, is another sport that is threatened. That, however, may be a topic for an Off-Topic thread. Nice to meet you, Debaser.

You too mate.