Agreed, but as gentle has said no one is safe and form come first. Holdsworth was not only our worst half today he was ineffective and largely poor. Only his first game but on form alone he wouldn't be in my 13 next week.

Couldn't make the game, but heard some good reviews from those who did. Glad we came out with the win, some good game time and virtually injury free.

Heard Azza had a great 2nd half, Arundel/Crookes look solid and Seymour did a great long kick in the first. Sounds like our kicking game is something we have worked.

first run out of the season, result un-important, was more impressed how our younger squad members more than held their own against a very strong cas starting line up

Agree

Agreed that's what I've taken from today, the overall strength of our squad. Plenty of depth.

Having watched the display of both halves today, I Think we could have a good shot this year.

Even though the opposition was only castleford, i think we we defended well each half and the kids looked impressive aswel.

Everyonr talking about holdsworth and slagging the team off, get a grip. its the first game all year

I'm another who didn't think Seymour played badly. A good kick for the try, and a magic piece of ball handling on halfway that the youngster then spilled. Not seeing what Heremaia did that was [iso[/i good, either TBH. Got his hands on the ball and involved a lot, but not that much quality work with it, particularly passing/kicking wise (he was attributed the pass to Westerman earlier, am I the only one who thought it was Houghton?). He's still not a halfback IMO, he's a hooker who plays with enthusiasm, much like Obst was.

Seems to me that one player's face doesn't fit and another's does, so similar levels of performance are received very differently. Both played fairly well, no more, no less. Add in that Seymour had the tougher job than Heremaia today and I think it's time to get off his back for a bit and see what he can do.

Thought Green and Cunningham stood out first half and Seymour did well. Second half Ogre and Azzer the standouts and Mcdonnell looked good.

At this stage I think Azzer and Holdsworth will be the halves against Leeds.

Must also say Bowden also.. After he got big hit i think it gave him more confidence and gave alot back. Possibly another moa in year/2

I'm not a Seymour hater but comparing him to Heremia today, Azza ran at the defence and through gaps,Seymour didn't. Seymour put a good kick in for the try but Azza put one in too to get a repeat set, something we don't get enough of. I'm not sure Azza is the answer at half either but he showed me more than Seymour based on todays performance.

I was pretty sure Houghton put Westie in.

I forgot to mention in my original post but Bowden had a good first half too, him and Green are two great prospects.

Ah, wonderful day. A game of two halves - Seymour and Whiting guiding the young "depth" squad to a 10-6 victory over a Cas first team, then Holdsworth, Houghton and Heremaia having a relatively straightforward task of leading Hull to nilling them second half surrounded by our elite.

The younger team showed all the pre-season prerequisites in that the timings were off and fumblings abounded, which encouragingly wasn't reflected second half when the seniors executed the basics well and indicated that a strong season potentially beckons.

I'm thinking Seymour is a bit maligned by the Faithful.
He's a Blacklock and a Sharp waiting to happen. He had some good games last year and took more flack than was deserved, imo, albeit he made some howlers too. Nevertheless, despite the cringeworthy and unfortunate criticism mid-season from Pearson - grossly mistimed - he remained fiercely loyal to the cause and tried hard despite injury. I know first hand he and his family like living here and were actively house hunting throughout the most critical period when the Prince rumours were red-hot and everyone looking for a way to offload him. His daughter, his wife proudly proclaims to all who will listen, is a "Hull baby" and they're fiercely (and,to the onlooker, bizarrely, given the circumstances) proud of this.

I think Seymour has demonstrated his commitment with his season-long physical pain and resilience to perpetual slaggings, and we should give him every chance to make good on this and for God's sake support him so he has a chance to do so to maximum effect. What the starting halves will be remains to be seen, but there's no doubt Seymour will be very much in the picture any way.

Does Whiting's starting appearance today indicate his relegation to second choice? Doubt it, lets see what happens.

So, an encouraging day, plus it was great to see some wonderful friends again. Bring on Rovers, Looking forward to see how Shannon and Benny

handle the vitriol...

Are you 'Wilf in waiting' good post

regarding whiting - it everyone is fit he won't be in the 17 (not my opinion but what i think the coaches is), however with any injuries to the forwards (and even the backs in the event of a crisis) he will be in to provide cover - despite trying to lose his utility value over the years, its his ability to play almost anywhere that keeps him a valuable member of the squad

Just got home after a cracking night out there too!!!!
IMO
Bowden had a cracking game and looked the Prop in waiting , Mcdon had a good first game and looked very dangerous in support , every time we were ball in hand he was there in support, Holdsworth looked a solid as expected half and with a good boot too, something we have missed for some time.
Seymour was purring IMO and looked to be organising very well and so comfortable on the ball, some people will be eating humble pie over him i think

The one who stood out most to me was Green, i think this kid is the real deal and will be a HOWWGE player in years to come, he has everything to make it big and no slouch either but his agression is second to non , well played all and we will be better for it too

I would like to see Holdsworth and Seymour in the halves next week. Holdsworth did seem quiet today but will need games. The right hand side looked stronger. This might benefit us if we can be more balanced in attack. Green looked impressive, with Watts being injured he is fighting for a bench spot.

HOWWGE?

The thing is though, you have to be fair to the players and consider the differing situations. Heremaia ran with the ball well with his team on the front foot and gaps to go at. Seymour didn't have so much opportunity IMO, but still did well at times and I actually thought he kicked ok. I just thought that the main difference between them today was the players around them and the advantages that brought (ie Heremaia enjoyed more possession and more space to run into). One played in a potential top 4 SL side, the other amongst academy players and trialists. I didn't think there was much between them considering.

Also, that Carney's a big lad for a 3/4 isn't he?

Precisely.

Got loads of errors in him though, and gets out jumped constantly (As we saw today). He is strong taking the ball up though, when he can keep hold of it.

Talking about size, Lineham is Massive! He's bigger than a couple of our props. Even Crooks has filled out a bit.

I'm not sure. I don't think there's much at all to read into Whiting playing in the first half and not the second, same with Pitts. The fact is, only 13 players played in that second half and matchday squads have 17. Gentle decided not to rotate the seeming 'first choice' today, but that won't be the case when we get going properly.

Great to have so many tough selection headaches.

Gentle's comments about Whting during the off season in the trade press suggests he is in the first choice XVII.

I thought it was an intuative way to approach a friendly putting the kids out first.

Mainly done the other way and take the first choice off in the second half and the game descends, but today was a good game all round.

When you look at the 'first 13' that played second half, then chuck in the players missing and from the first half, im more than happy we have good quality to back up even if a few injuries hit

Staffs.... with all your commentary this afternoon, I was just waiting for you to mention about anyone coming in from washing the car or doing the garden. It was as if Triple D was live on the forum.