But that then becomes a hindsight decision. One of Clarkey's famous stats

shows teams scoring roughly 50% of the time from penalties inside the opposition's 20, and an even chance of 6 points against, say, 90% chance of 2 points is still usually the better bet.

I'd tend to agree with that but there is another consideration for taking the two and that is toward the end of a game in that it just gives the players a rest. If the game is won then why risk going for a try where players may pick up a knock?

In the Les Cats game we had it well won and had a kick-able penalty but ran it. Maybe they wanted to try and get Pat a hat trick on his 200th appearance but if we have games well won like that we may as well wind the clock down and not take any risks.

This is where I don't mind play off considerations taking over. I expect to go to league games to see us win so no deliberately understrength teams for me and a determination to try and win every game is a must IMO but once they game is won :- Take the two and knock some seconds off.

I get what you say, but you take it for granted you would sink the two pints, and as we all know we don’t always. I know that you could get the ball back even if you didn’t get the score, but usually in a much less favourable position. At times I too think the wrong decision is made and an opportunity to score is missed. I guess it all comes down to momentum (that horrible sky sports word) pressure, confidence, and what we are really talking about, strategy.

Doesn't it depend to some degree on the other team's score as well. If by taking two points you are making them have to score a further try to get level/ahead then it becomes more valid. If the extra two points would not mean they had to score a further try, then perhaps it is better to apply the pressure and run the ball in the hope of scoring a try or forcing a goal line drop out.
For instance, if you are ahead by two points, it may be better to run the ball. If you are ahead by four points, it may be better to run the ball. If you are ahead by six points - take the two.
If you are ahead by eight points, it may be better to run the ball. If you are ahead by ten points, it may be better to run the ball...et cetera.

I think at the time we were 8 ahead going for 2 would have made no difference, what happened was a full set then another minute or so gone off the clock, if we had kicked for goal there was a chance of a short kickoff with saints getting the ball back in our half

When we were 12 ahead there was little over 8 minutes left and we got near their line with a few minutes left there was no chance of them scoring two tries and the decision to keep the ball and attack was correct

I though the game management was spot on in the context of the score, if we had been 6 ahead and a penalty was available then the situation would be different but it wasnt