v Lions 28/10/2023

[bignose]

Does the lack of activity or comment on the above game reflect a general feeling of apathy for the coming season?

[dolf_lundgren]

Yes, that and the issues of security settings on the forum seemed to have killed off any great enthusiasm. Not going to be a big crowd today I don’t think. I know three of us who have STs not going as other things on and the RWC final will have an impact I’m sure.

I saw a thing about Mitch Eadie, I had forgotten he signed, has he played at all? He isn’t listed as injured. Hindsight is easy but he and Tim Swiel haven’t been a good use of budget.

[Pitfitter1105]

Already to head over, we’ll be home in time for WC final, blue skies and sun at the mo, looking forward to this.

[Frank]

A win is a win, but disappointing that we didn't manage to shake the Lions off. Although they're a good strong team and rarely gave an inch, I felt we had enough to stop it being so nerve jangling at the end.

[The Feral Goat]

Not the best 80.

Made a number of good line breaks that ended with no support or skill breakdown.

Struggled to get momentum, credit maybe to lions for that, but it was tough viewing.

Still 2 from 2 and 3rd in league without actually playing that well is not too bad a start. Need to improve our performances though harder tests to come.

[Pitfitter1105]

Runners bursting away without backup and moves breaking down, great hooker’s turn of pace to score. Need to keep improving whilst winning.

[liveinhope]

Last season we'd have lost both this one and the Dragons.Looks like Everitt has installed some grit.
Long way to go but well done lads.

[TheSmidge]

Fundamentally, that’s two wins that would have been two losses last year.

I’ll take that.

Plenty of positives: Healy, Ashman’s try, BK’s running lines, Crosbie.

But plenty to work on: runners getting isolated, too many turnovers etc.

All in all, a decent start to the season.

[doedin]

We could and should have been well ahead by half time given he number of clear line breaks we made. We had some nice moves in midfield to break the lines but no support runners to help the ball carrier. However we got dragged into the fight that the Lions wanted in the second half but to be fair our defence held pretty solid and tackling was excellent albeit Lions looked short of ideas at times.

I agree that Healy looked good but for me he is stationary too often when at first receiver, he tends to get the ball whilst standing still and ships it out wide with no real threat, he looks much better when he is coming onto the ball and receiving the ball at pace. I hadn't appreciated just how big he is and is very physical. I also thought Crosbie was immense, he just doesn't know how to take a step backwards and always makes yards when carrying a ball into contact.

A good win whilst still not playing well but we will get clobbered against others unless we improve quite a bit.

[Impega]

Agree with most of the points already made. There's no question we would have lost that game last season, it was a very physical affair and the players deserve credit for their resilience and defence in the second-half particularly.

It is probably to be expected that the attacking gameplan is a bit disjointed while all the internationals return to the squad and the new coaching set-up establishes itself. I think a bedded-in Healy directing a backline containing the likes of Graham, Boffelli, DVDM and Kinghorn is a really exciting prospect. For me the best centre combo remains Dean and Bennett - Currie is good defensively but needs to show more with the ball. It'll be interesting to see who makes Everitt's strongest 15.

[Castlecannon]

Think this squad can pick up real momentum once we develop a bit more coherence in our attack , particularly midfield . Healy will only get better as he builds a rapport with the players around him . To a point made in previous post , our centre pairing might be improved by Dean or Lang at 12 . Currie looks to have more potential at 13 and Bennett needs to use the ball better. Goosen is performing like he might yet live up to his reputation . Kinghorn is looking Hungry and Classy . The pack with Skinner & Schoeman still to show is full of quality , but please can we get more consistent with our lineout . Encouraging start against a very feisty and slick Lions outfit .