I agree,i think they targeted Ridyard aswell.

reay took a lot of presure of our forwards took the ball in and made good yards higson should have put him away for 2 trys thats why higson is a seacond row maiden looked lost on the other wing

one thing nobody can say about our team is we have a lack of desire or effort, because we have them in bucket loads, what we don't have is organisation, or any creativity, but we've known this since the squad has been assembled, our ball retention at times today was poor to say the least, haven to me seemed to make yards easier than us, and looked more dangerous with ball in hand, but today was a cup tie, and one thing in a cup tie you want to do is win, we did that, well done boys for your effort and committment.

Even second rowers can pass the ball. I dont think Adam was that bad in the centre position.

Good post.

As the season progress we will get better with ball in hand but we are in desperate need of a leader. There is nobody who takes control of what happens on the field and at times they look lost.

Sorry
But one natural leader is sticking out like a sore thumb...... James Durbin.

When he is on the pitch, yes.

The problem being he has to be spelled as he gets targetted an awful lot in defence.

Well thats upto the coaching staff to sort out because this lad is head and shoulders above anyone else in giving us go forward and building momentum . Saying that I thought Jock had a good last 15 mins today. Was this because he took the lead over Watson?

Jock is always very, very solid and provides a cool head when it's needed. Durbin will be very effective over the course of the season by coming off the bench but we need Jock on to set a platform and be solid defence which was needed towards the back end of today's game.

Sorry again
I have to disagree.
Jock can do everything you say.
Durbin should be on from the start at scrum half working with Ridyard. Two young lads with fresh ideas instead of some of the hospital balls Watson dishes out consistently !!!!!!!!!!!!

I actually thought that Jock coming back on for Durbin might have been a tactical switch as we appeared to be taking things up the middle a whole lot more late on, and that isn't much of a surprise as 'Haven ripped us to bits out wide at times.

Thought our line was pretty sluggish, both in attack and defence, while we're really lacking a strike player in the centres at the moment.

Must admit, I take back my recent criticism of Hobson as he was awesome today, made some great yards ball-in-hand and worked hard in defence. Granted, he missed a couple of tackles, but you're always likely to miss a couple when you're involved in so many, while he did well to keep calm in the face of some obvious provocation from the 'Haven forwards.

Defence is a 7/10 for today; very solid down the middle but a little weak out wide.

Attack is a 4/10, poor handling, few breaks and a lack of cutting edge at half-back.

Definitely room for improvement, but it's a sign of a decent side with bags of character when we're getting wins like that. Thought we'd won the Challenge Cup when Jock scored near the end, love it.

Does he have a kicking game?

Watson's been there, done that and worn the t-shirt. I agree at times he throws silly passes and is unbelievably slow but he punches above his weight in defence and provides lots of experience.

Sorry dissagree. Durbin should start with Jock coming off the bench. Its pointless having a defence like today and nothing in attack. We need to get the other team worried and our pack moving round the field then bring on Jock. Durbin is wasted sat on the bench. If our sliding defence was a little bit better he could do most of the game. Watto plays better with Jamie too. We were on their line today and wasted an easy chance because there must have been nearly 40 yards between Jock, Ridyard and Watto.

I too thought we played poorly today, but won - possibly undeservedly? The defence was suspect, and our 'attack' was mainly one-man. I also couldn't believe it when Durbin came off - as he had started to give us momentum. However, it looks like he may have been injured. When you consider how many players were missing, then maybe we did do well to win:-

Mort
Alstead
Jamie Smith
Rudd
Morrison
Armitstead
Marsh
Aaron Smith

Most of those would be 'first choice', in anyone's team, wouldn't they?

Just said earlier Alan that Jamie Durbin has an injured hand and was only meant to do 10 mins. He told me that leaving the field.

The reason Durbin is so effective is because the defence has been tired causing the gaps to open in the defence. Jock has shown over previous seasons that he can set a platform for us to work off and that is what we need in the opening 10/15 minutes.

I know - that's why I said it looked as though he had an injury.

Sorry again
But the last two seasons can't be quoted as an example of anyone playing well.
I agree Jock is a useful asset and utilised correctly could prove to be invaluable.
However I for one and many others around me today are excited by what Durbin brings onto the field and the way he organises those around him. He single handedly in 3 games has made me more passionate about watching the team than anyone in the last 3 seasons.
Saying that I do also appreciate the work and ability of Higson, Ridyard, Donlan and the other young Leigh lads who have pride in wearing the shirt.
Also thought Haggerty had a great game today. In fact on reflection I really enjoyed the whole experience today and hope this is a sign of good times ahead !!!!!!
Just not sure about Watson and will always be a critic of him unless he starts standing out I'm afraid !!!!!!

Pray tell me where it was today then. Sorry you get a defence both physically and mentally tired by putting them on the back foot and getting them jumpy. Any coach or player will tell you its more difficult defending all the time. Durbin plays the ball faster. Thinks faster. Puts the ball round the field better. Not saying Jock is no good. Infact he had a good game today. In my opinion Jamie Durbin is better at it and it shows.

Variety is the spice of life, and I think it's better for Durbin to be fresh against tiring legs. Durbs is certainly one of the few players in our side with genuine pace, and that scares the opposition, but I think he's still got a lot to learn if he's to continue playing at hooker; I certainly don't think Durbin quite has the guile yet to score the type of try that Jock did.

Still, I'm sure there must be a way of catering for Ridyard, Watson, Durbin, McConnell and Aaron Smith in the same side

Sorry Matt but did Durbin not score a good try from acting half back?

Durbin as much as he has offers in attack is a spot player without doubt in defence. The correct way to utilise both players was implemented today.

If you run at jock,then there is only one outcome AND that said before Jock scored the winning try, who was it who broke haven's line a couple of minites previously only to see the chance bombed?

Well here,s my 4penneth.

Watson was the key. First half all I can recall of McConnell is his flighted pass into touch although he was ok after Durbin went off.

Thought Hobson stuck 2 fingers up at his critics and I,m warming to him especially after last week at Swinton.

Thought our handling and tackling could have been a lot better.

For me Haven looked a lot more dangerous with the ball.

Am I chuffed? Course I am.Its a long time since I,ve cheered a Leigh try as loud as I did when Watson put McConnell in late on.

Durbin always looks like he could do something explosive as does Stanton.

Early doors but we need to stay injury free. Glad we weren,t playin away today.

Lets hope then that our players have the good sense not to come on here and read such confidence building comments as as above then eh?

BTW,

*Where did we finish in our pool ??
* What is the average age of our team??

Hobson has a job to do in our team, and boy did he carry out today !!

The go forward he gave us in those final 10 mins were invauable