That could have been a comfortable victory, but we made it hard work for us because once again we had problems with kicking and opposition kicks. First half our kick returns were pathetic. We had a truly fantastic full back for this division, confident under the high ball and one of the best returners going in Gavin Dodd. I don't think Ford is in the same league in that position although his attacking seems to be quite a positive.

On the whole though, I am very confident for the new season. Our forwards were very good all game, particularly Haggerty. Were it not for silly penalties in the first half we would not have given them so many points. To be fair, their kicking game was better than ours and they are still going to be there or thereabouts this season, which is why I feel that with a bit of work in key areas we can go far with this squad. Ainscough can turn it on when he wants and I think Grady could have a good year if we show confidence in him. One negative is we had a lot of position on their line without scoring at times, again, we need to work on that. But its early days and we've got a lot of time to get things right.

Up the Vikings!

Barrows defence was rather good, they had all our key players well marked

Pickersgill
Allen
Doran
Davies
Flynn
Gaskell
Dean


All missing and we still beat em and pretty much had most of the possession, plenty of things to work on but i was impressed with some of the youngsters today and Houghton had a cracking game.

Can't take that away from them. Ours wasn't too bad either once we got the wings sewn up. There was one particular challenge I am a bit angry about though. Can't remember by or on whom but a Barrow player literally threw himself at our guy.

I've been a bit, shall we say, dizzy all day so I couldn't really tell who was missing. I noticed Gaskill and Dean were not playing, forgot about Flynn. But thats another thing we've got to take away from this game.Our youth was up to the task, our forwards were bossing it about and we still have some left in the tank.

I guess "rent a squad" did okay against Dads Army after all. I mean, Jesus, Broadbent is so old he is listed in the Domesday Book under "Old Man Broadbent".

it worried me a little how we looked clueless in attack sometimes, it felt like we'd only ever score unless we fell over the line. But credit to toa/ainscough it was no easy try to score at the end.
SOMEBODY PRESSURE THE KICKER THOUGH...please!!

I was not there but noticed Mr Smith went off and that looked to have a little effect ?

Why did he go off ??
Sounds like a few more games and we will be on fire

I think Smithy was rotated because he came back on with about 15 minutes to go, and that's when the real fightback started.

Was yours carrying the ball ?

Not after the tackle, he was flat out on the deck.

The plan is to rotate Smithy and Coyle at hooker. Rotating hookers is pretty much part and parcel of the game today.

It was Ford, he was on his knees about to take the tackle and somebody launched themselves at him, looked like a shoulder to the face from where I was sat.

Smith got rotated in the first half just like normal with Coyle coming on, tbh it was at that point along with Gannon and Haggerty off the field that we began to lack composure. Smith's return in the 2nd along with Gannon and Haggerty provided us with a big boost. Some of Gannon's shots, particularly on Bracek were brutal.

Great win with haggerty to get match fit and varkulis.Haggerty was awesome making yards and gannon my man of the match.Houghton has a big future and took his try well.I think if we improve on composure and move the ball around we will do well.This team will get better and i am confident we be near the top of the league.

Good to hear Jimbo had another great game.

He`s deffo up for it this season

What about Bracek's tackle on Jim?

Hit him like a ton of bricks, Gannon barely broke stride and Bracek went bouncing off into the middle of next week.

Bracek got smashed about 3 times by Jim, he'll be hurting tomorrow.

I guess this is where you and I differ in opinion Chris. I would not have labelled Dodd as comfortable under the high ball but I agree that there were times today when I was wishing he was about to make an impact.
I think Ford will do very well. He joined the line a lot today but there were possibly a number of times when he could have moved the ball on instead of taking the line on.

As for Ainscough.. I think the more he plays with Koe-Love the better he will be. He looks like a natural finisher to me.

I think it was Catic on Ford.

Whilst the tackle wasn't completed, he wasn't in a position to protect himself due to him being on his knees holding onto the ball.

Cheap shot to the head IMO.

he was hit by a flying forearm from catic.

Congratulations on todays win, How did Ainscough get on for you lot today? I noticed from another Post that Davies was missing, what about Farrell?

Farrell played near enough the full game and worked his socks off bagging a try in the process, Ainscough won the game with the try on the 80th minute and has scored 3 in 2 thus far. Davies picked up a virus and missed the game.

That was awesome, Gannon just steamed right over him!

Sounds promising... thanks for the update. Has anybody heard if Wigan are going to recall Ainscough this week after our full back Cameron Phelps got injured on Friday night?

No chance. You ain't having him back - not ever

!