Agreed. Hobson, apart from a bit of red mist that clouded his view for a split second had a good game today and got through a lot of graft.

Agree Hobson is playing well at present and does add the experience we need in the pack. However C Hills performance today was again outstanding. Another 70 minutes from a 16.5 stone prop forward, 30+ tackles and great go forward. This lad is our top performer so far this year and definetly back to his best. Thought Rydyard looked out of his depth today and thought a watson/ durbin combination would have worked better. Thought our young pack stood up well today against a very big, aggresive, experienced whitehaven pack. We still look shakey on the flanks and need to bring Donlan into the game more. Overall a strong team performance but we need more spark on attack. Looking forward to the start of the league fixtures and a very interesting season.

obviously not in nk eyes,mort was not injured, just dropped ???

Thought we played alright today we needed a win and we got it but we defo need more creativity as some of you have already said and in defence we seemed to have 3 played tacking the Haven players around the top half of the body so they were gaining a few extra yard instead of 2 on the body and one around the legs.....

My first competative match of the year and I wasn't too disappointed. It looks like NK is carrying on the tradition of using the Mickey Mouse cup as a trail ground in its early stage, we'll see where it goes next?

Chris Hill stood out for me today, as did Reay. I wouldn't say that I'd have liked to call the better side today - they deservedly got pinged for lying on repeatedly, but were never being pulled for being consistently offside.
We were to weak in the tackle, but did well through most of the game in putting a wall up to force them wide, but we were then allowing them to get back inside?

The one disappointment for me today was the handling, especially from our tackling machine. That and almost going flat on my face trying to get under the barrier. I was a bit drunk last night and thats my excuse....

I agree.

Durbin is a quality 'impact' player coming off the bench running at the tired legs and that's what happened today on a few occasions. His distribution isn't as good as Jocks IMO, yes he threw a fey wayward ones today but it was his first game back. His main weakness is without doubt his defensive capabilities, it was shown against Swinton and again today.

Jock to start, Durbin to impact.

We'll see. I would bet (if I was a betting man) that we win more games comfortably and in style with Jamie Durbin starting. I'm not knocking Jock but we looked like last years team at the start today.

Overall a bit disapointed today

We lacked creativity in the middle , we were lucky to get the win

TV BOY
Your last post is exactly what I was thinking today. Durbin seems to take a whole load of responsibility away from Watson which in turn allows the backs a better starting point.

Seems your reliant on a Widnes lad, young Jamie has always had talent and is a far better player than Watson who should be on the bench.

He also seems to be the one there for the offloads and his short passes are not hospital ones. I love jock and was near him after the game by the pitch side. He looked well built and on a big high, and so he should. He played well today but I really think Durbin is our better option to start.

Durbin for me is the find of the season and could easily be the best player in this league

Tell you what, the way he plays and runs, he reminds me of a cross between Kenny Green and Phil Johnson.

Oh

for a moment I thought you had been watching Leigh games.

Watson tackles well distributes and although I,m not a fan of his place kicking, makes us play better when he,s on the field.

Durbin is an exciting prospect, however, that nomark, over the hill, , past his sell by whatsisname injury prone freeloading player who really should head home before he gets his next injury couldn,t lace the boots of any true RL professional.

What is his name ? Total Krap Lulu.

....but twice as fast

It was mentioned about Mort being 'dropped' today. He was part of an 18 man squad who missed the starting line up.

I reckon Neil Kelly wanted as much experience today at Full back as possible and so chose to stick our most experienced player there.

IIRC there was one move by haven when they broke down the East side towards the North and Donlan was faced with a 2 v 1. He held his nerve and did not commit to the man with the ball (normally being the golden rule for the full back) but bided his time and the haven player passed to his winger and Donlan nailed him good and proper (hope you can verify this Fred from your filming).This was just one of a couple of try saving tackles that Stuart made today.

Now I am not suggesting young Morty would not have made those tackles and I am indeed a big fan of his and believe he his our best kicker, however, Stuarts experinece saved our bacon today and I think his overall contribution to the victory has been somewhat overlooked.

Morty will get his chance another day as he still gains the experience he needs to add to the undoubted talent he possesses

I have to agree with Leyther forever I think today we learned that we must play Stu Donlan at fullback.
He must give the team so much confidence in knowing that they have his experience behind them. A number of times today as has been said he made some try saving tackles along with coming into the line on attack.
His composure also when he went thru and turned to pass to Ridyard (ithink) showed his experience.
His only blemish was near the end but that came from a bad call to let the ball go out and he still managed to clean it up.

CANT understand why Durbin was relegated to sub and took off after he scored when he was on the field.

agree totally his defence whilst at centre was shocking in the first 20. it was only down to poor whitehaven finishing we did not concede 3 tries.
agreed that he improved in the second half on the wing but i would not say he had a great game.
he looks very slow to me

IMO hobson head and shoulders above anybody else

someone said on here somewhere he was injured didnt they?

A hand injury someone said in a earlier post.

We have two very good hookers in Jock and Durbin and they will be an integral part this season.

stressful day??

actually they are halfbacks albeit acting ones

thats probably why it gets hard sometimes to explain ou wonderfull sport 'the hooker goes to acting halfback and...' 'ACTS'?

Edited.