Quote RDM="RDM"Not the greatest of matches, but Ian Smith didn't do the fans any favours with some of his decisions - a blatant knock on by Quins towards the end of the first half went unnoticed (meaning that instead of putting pressure on their line at the end of the half we had to keep them out for the last minute or so of the half) and I've absolutely no idea what sort of knock on DB was alleged to have made when he intercepted late on - I can't see that the fight would have happened if he hadn't called for the knock on.
Too much laying on at the tackles - I lost count of how many times Morrison was shaking his head in disbelief that Smith wasn't blowing flor a penalty.
Our defence needs working on. The last couple of years I think we've had a great goalline defence, but both Quins' tries - especially the first - were soft ones to be conceding at this level.
The fact there was only 3 props in the 17 was a massive weakness and for most of the second half we only had 1 prop on at a time! All 3 of them did play well, but we do need 2 props on the bench for every game.
Newton didn't look fit from the moment he came on. Obviously he picked up a knock in the 10 minutes or so that he was on the pitch, but he was blowing like he'd made every carry & every tackle during the course of a full 80 minutes after only being on there for 1 or 2.
JD's lack of match fitness was obvious - he did ok, but he never really looked like he was with the pace of the game. Hendo put in his typical performance (i.e. no passes) but we all know that's how he plays.
With the benefit of hindsight, I'd have preferred to see King & Johnson in the 17 for Newton & JD - BJ should have started at 6 with Sam & TLL interchanging at hooker. I don't think Newton & JD were anywhere near full fitness, so if King & Johnson were left out because they were considered to be even further off match fitness it does make me wonder how unfit the rest of the squad outside the 19 must be right now!
Murphy was fantastic at full back & the way he took the ball from just in front of our own sticks to attack the gaps in the Quins kick-chase that created the try for BJ in the first half showed that Matt Blaymire has an awful lot of work to do if he wants his place back in the side. IMO if Blaymire had been at full back he'd have run straight into the nearest tackler rather than attacking the gap.
Overall, plenty of reasons to give us optimism for the season - but plenty that not only can, but must, be improved on for the rest of the season. If we do improve on what are minor, but fundamental, issues theres no reason why we shouldn't expect to be a serious challenge in both the league & cup this season.'"
first 10/15 we absolutely dominated field position but our attacking line was very poor. on their first attack quins showed how to run angles and we completely misread the play for their try - disappointing. for the rest of the half both teams were error strewn and as a spectacle it was very stop start.
2nd half was totally different, despite letting them make too much ground and conceding a very soft try we looked like we could score every time we got in their 20, especially down our left flank.
agree about the props, we cannot afford to go in so light against catalans or we will get mullered after the interchanges. king or bibb need to get up to speed quickly we cant manage with 3 for long. someone has mentioned henderson propping but i cant remember a time when 2 of the 3 weren't on the field, although i stand to be corrected.
newton did look knackered but he showed glimpses of what he is capable of before his injury. BJ was genuinely woeful for the first 5 minutes
but in the 2nd half he played very well, hopefully a sign of what's to follow.
murphy was probably the best player on the pitch and his try was just reward for all our pressure and his personal display.
tronc was a handful and 2 offloads in his first 4 carries was very positive. he seemed to on the pitch a for long periods i hope we dont reduce his efffectiveness by keeping him on too long.
even though it worked out for the best in the end kear needs to stick to 2 half backs and 2 hookers imo, bite the bullet and drop someone. we dont need all five in the team its too many. obst had a bit of a shocker today all told although it would be harsh if he was the one to make way considering.
george was anonymous in the first half but in the second showed enough to make me feel confident he can carry on where he left off last season, hopefully millard will give him more supply than atkins did.
hendo got stuck in and whilst i'm not gonna wet myself over him like some do he deserves a lot of credit for his performance today. despite not passing the ball once he was full of strong running and got in their faces.
morton - well pleased with his contribution he looks to be improving with every game. as has been said made a couple of crunching tackles at least one leading to the ball being spilled.
but in the 2nd half he played very well, hopefully a sign of what's to follow.
