Disappointing no Saints players named in the squad when we are so down on numbers. 17 includes Calcott who I'd be amazed was ready to play as I thought he'd only started running again a few weeks ago. Some slightly odd squad numbers, especially JWH in the halves and Jouffret at fullback No real enthusiasm for friendlies, but will probably attend to see what new signings about whom I know very little, look like. And it's a lot closer for me than Halifax!

Based on that squad announcement I think we have 14 players available ( brad graham, dixon , mccarron suspended , restall, Davies, calcott injured ) talk about player welfare.

Totally dominant display and considering that it was the first run out they looked sharper than I can recall at this stage of the season for a long time. All the pack looked good with a number of bone crunching hits in D and Brandon Douglas looking a real handful driving the ball in. Same across the backline with a lot of fast hands and movement. Zac took a bit of a knock and Salty had a slight hamstring pull but both stayed on and looked okay.

Played some good stuff against a mediocre Cougars. Douglas played like a man on fire, big hits and strong carries and was my M.O.M. Joufrett just carried on from last season. Mcomb brought what he does, 100%effort enthusiasm and carried strongly. The new lads all showed up pretty well. Salty managed some walk ins and when confronted with a 40 m clear run decided his hamstring might hurt.!!The backs looked pretty solid and with Calcott back should have a very competitive pack. The captaincy seemed to bring the best out of Crooks, a good decision I think. Not sure swapping positions of JWH and Joufrett brings the best out of the team, a work in progress? The line speed was much improved from last season which was good to see. All in all a good day at the office for our new coach.

Any truth in James Lowes there as number 2 ?

Managed to watch it on a livestream from keighley ( unfortunately halifax decided not to tell us about that , infact they don't communicate a great deal at the moment) might do this next bit as a mick gledhill parody A gigantic performance from the unstoppable Bradford Douglas, i mean Brandon ( although he once visited the alambra theatre i believe) The ex Bradford stalwart james saltairestall romping home with 4 barnstorming tries . Ex Bradford talisman Thornton rd hooker adam obrien setting the tempo for a ten try romp . All in all a satisfying performance for kyle eastmonds men albeit against a school aged keighley side with no first team players whatsoever on the pitch .

https://youtu.be/PuyyUbjFI1s?si=SmHxcIBvP74KsBrL

https://youtu.be/PuyyUbjFI1s?si=SmHxcIBvP74KsBrL

For a friendly i enjoyed that, we played with intent with and without the ball making plenty of metres every set while restricting Keighley's. Rolling just the 1 sub for about a hour before Restall came on for the last 20, we look fit and unlike us we did the basics well we Just need some extra bodies now.

[quote="terry silver":2dskiyn8]For a friendly i enjoyed that, we played with intent with and without the ball making plenty of metres every set while restricting Keighley's. Rolling just the 1 sub for about a hour before Restall came on for the last 20, we look fit and unlike us we did the basics well we Just need some extra bodies now.[/quote:2dskiyn8] Yep agree with that assessment. For a first game, it was good to see us have some good shape in both attack and defence, everybody seemed to know their role and where they should be for each play. Not having the numerous subs you normally get in a friendly helped us keep that consistency throughout the game without a load of chopping and changing. But yes we need more bodies, as shown yesterday, 3 suspensions and 2 injuries and we can't field a full 17.

Are the suspensions served or were any more than one game ?

[quote="Miserybusiness":2r8cwjts]Are the suspensions served or were any more than one game ?[/quote:2r8cwjts] From what I can gather Maccarron, Graham and Dixon all got 2 games for grade C and Dixon got an extra game for a separate a grade B. Trying to factor in the number of games deducted whilst they were still at their previous clubs Maccarron and Graham could now be clear with Dixon still 1 to serve?

[quote="faxcar":3mglppy9]From what I can gather Maccarron, Graham and Dixon all got 2 games for grade C and Dixon got an extra game for a separate a grade B. Trying to factor in the number of games deducted whilst they were still at their previous clubs Maccarron and Graham could now be clear with Dixon still 1 to serve?[/quote:3mglppy9] Think that's how I interpreted it.

A couple of thoughts on Sunday's game - what a difference a fit Brandon Douglas would have made last year, Charlie Graham looks to have the makings of an excellent centre, and Jouffret in my humble opinion is our most influential player, whether he's at fullback or half, although I'd still prefer him and JWH in their traditional positions. Very promising start, especially in view of the limited number of fit players - not meaning to be negative but the quality of the opposition means I'm not getting too carried away just yet.