Reviewing last night again, think it was highly significant that each of the experienced players brought into the club since last September (Rapana, Hardaker, Cust, Sezer, Asiata) all made telling contributions to the win. That is a very experienced spine, from 1 to 13, and if we are to have even a reasonably half-decent year then I think a great deal of it will revolve around those five. Not only are they the type of players who have a winning mentality inbred into them but, possibly more importantly, they are the kind of players who can make others around them look better. This should take a large amount of pressure and responsibility away from the younger lads, thought both Martin and Barron last night were able to play their natural game without feeling everything was on their shoulders. There were times last year when it looked as if these young kids were being hung out to dry, without having anyone to lean on for support and experience. Obviously, it's only one game, and there is still a long year ahead with all the usual bumps, twists and turns to come, and I'm sure we will most likely still have the odd bad night when it doesn't quite come off for us, but it was difficult not to come away from last night without feeling that, at the very least, we will be in most games this year, being competitive and earning respect from other teams as a credible professional outfit. After last year, when I suspect the club had become a standing joke within the game, that will be no mean achievement. As the saying goes, one swallow doesn't make a (RL) summer, but I would be amazed if there was any black & white who wasn't walking around this morning with that little extra spring in their step. It won't be all wine and roses over the coming months, so let's enjoy the bright new dawn for at least the next few days! Really hoping for a cracking atmosphere now on Friday night. Wigan at home always feels like a bit of an event in the calendar, let's hope we can rock the place under the lights.

Interesting that you use "ladies" as an insult. Bit sexist.

[quote="bonaire":22ptqkco]This is just for you and the other ladies who dont like what i post and then complain when i dont. I was actually at the match last night unlike you and most others on here and drove back to Spain last night so had a very late night. Our win was great but unexpected but we rode our luck for 30 minutes then gained our reward with the little possession we had. Clear to see the fitness levels are far higher and our defence was outstanding and we actually had some attacking shape when we did have the ball so its big raps from me to the coaching staff especially whoever was charged with defence. We have two young gems on the wings,and the halfbacks with Asiata clearly showed what we have been missing there. All the players played a part.Ligi Sao deserves a mention as does Lane for his non stop defence and workrate. As for next week we are screwed now in the second row,Just cant see Holmes putting a run of games together. Good night for the club and fans, lets not get carried away but at least we can see that with good defence and structure we can keep in games without been blown away[/quote:22ptqkco] Of course you did Just like the forum.

[quote="bonaire":3b68yfuv]This is just for you and the other ladies who dont like what i post and then complain when i dont.[/quote:3b68yfuv] I don't think anyone was complaining. Most of us were enjoying the silence.

[quote="bonaire":ke2qodgt] [quote:ke2qodgt]I was actually at the match last night unlike you and most others on here and drove back to Spain last night so had a very late night.[/quote:ke2qodgt] Our win was great but unexpected but we rode our luck for 30 minutes then gained our reward with the little possession we had. Clear to see the fitness levels are far higher and our defence was outstanding and we actually had some attacking shape when we did have the ball so its big raps from me to the coaching staff especially whoever was charged with defence. We have two young gems on the wings,and the halfbacks with Asiata clearly showed what we have been missing there. All the players played a part.Ligi Sao deserves a mention as does Lane for his non stop defence and workrate. As for next week we are screwed now in the second row,Just cant see Holmes putting a run of games together. Good night for the club and fans, lets not get carried away but at least we can see that with good defence and structure we can keep in games without been blown away[/quote:ke2qodgt] Fair play to you for making the journey yesterday. The support from the faithful came across very well (even through my ipad!!) and as you were a part of the throng, a thumbs up to you. In your continuing role as the pantomime villain on here, I have no doubt you will enjoy your moment!

[quote="Roam Ranger":3cwsuhpp]Still in the doghouse with the missus after choosing the rugby over her but it was worth it! What a performance! The new signings were sensational and all led by example. Sezer and Cust looked like a proper halfback pairing and minus that heart in mouth moment when Rapana ushered that ball out, he was excellent too. Burrough and Asiata also excelled but the big one I want to applaud is Hardaker. Just loved his overall attitude and work rate last night. Kudos to the existing players as well because everyone really stood up and performed last night. Don't think anyone let us down. They looked like a team last night rather than a bunch of strangers, all operating on the same page in both attack and defence. Especially defence. We were under pressure at times but they remained calm, didn't panic, and worked together to keep Catalans out. Last year we'd have buckled under that pressure resulting in some poor and lazy tackling, gaps would have opened up in defence, and our heads would have gone once a try was conceded. Last night was just such a breath of fresh air to see. It's only one game and there'll be some stumbles along the way but this was a great way to start the season. [quote:3cwsuhpp]Might even have a cheeky punt on the playoffs and the cup now![/quote:3cwsuhpp][/quote:3cwsuhpp] This echoes my thoughts on last night. The major difference between last night and the past 2/3 years was attitude, commitment, work rate and organization. If we can replicate that over the next seven months we shouldn't have to suffer a repeat of recent times. If we have a similarly convincing win on Friday I'd put your house on us completing the treble, it won't take much before we all get carried away on here knowing us lot