In search of space
Man of influence
By WW
March 30 2016
The lads travel down to London this weekend to play the Welsh Exiles. A win on the road would confirm what some supporters are already suspecting. It would also help to keep a space between ourselves and Bedford Blues in fourth place. However we can take nothing for granted.
The London Welsh players started the season badly by their own standards. Since then the team's form has picked up considerably. We must not forget that it is not that long ago that they beat us 7-10 at Headingley Carnegie stadium in our first meeting this season. That day also marked the debut of Kevin Sinfield for Carnegie. Since then Sir Kev's game has improved slowly but surely and his influence on Saturday will be many times what it was back in October.
Last weekend's win over Bedford was down, by and large, to key players performing at the top end of their talent. Few supporters can be less than delighted with the pairing at lock of Smith and Myerscough.
Both players will be key to any success we may have this season. As well as their lineout duties both tackle ferociously and complement Ryan Burrows as they do their fair share of ball carrying. The up and coming star in the back division is academy graduate Taylor Prell. His try against Bedford was, in my opinion, the pick of the bunch.
This week Brush has some hard decisions to make in his selection of the side to face the Exiles. Last weekend the frontrow subs made a big impact when they came on. Should they start this time? Smith and Myerscough nailed on. I liked the balance in the back row against Bedford - Three very influential but different players should start again on Saturday.
Pilgrim and Sinfield have the halfback shirts. I like Hodgson's enthusiasm when he comes on but Sir Kev will take some shifting as he is improving every week. The centre pairing is the hardest to put together. Fred is getting there but is a long way off his best. Lucock is solid but unspectacular. We have only seen glimpses of Casson's talent. I would start with Forsyth and Burdon. Prell is nailed on, as is Jonah . If fit I would start the Doc as he has the knack of finding the tryline.
The play-offs have come too soon for the Welsh but they will want a "Top four" scalp if they can get one. The game will be tougher than last week. The Exiles have some old heads in their squad who can repeat the result from HC last October if we give them half a chance. A win for us will put Donny firmly in our sights for the play-offs. Can we get a win? I think so but the margin of victory will be less than one score and we will probably come away without a bonus point.
C'mon Tykes!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:04:07:13:44:23 by Gelbel.
If we win at Old Deer Park we are guaranteed a place in the play-offs, which would be some achievement with two matches left. But no chicken-counting yet.
I think that we will start with our best props Beech and O'Donnell as LW are a streetwise team that push the laws to the absolute limit.
It is well known that some horses peak in the spring and you feel so does Wacka . He has been on top form in the last 2 matches and is integral to our success at the breakdown.
For a second there I thought that Mr C*tt*n had returned, guess he's still doing his Space Ritual over in the East.
Best wishes to him from all the TT clan if he ever swings through these parts.
...if I have to explain, then you'll never understand...
They would not have been my choices.
Guessing Forsyth not fit which is a shame
The team in full is:
15. Jonah Holmes
14. Oli Goss
13. Pete Lucock
12. Fred Burdon
11. Taylor Prell
10. Kevin Sinfield
9. Chris Pilgrim
8. Ryan Burrows
7. Andy Saull
6. Chris Jonesİ
5. Mike Myerscough
4. Dean Schofield
3. Rob O'Donnell
2. Phil Nilsen
1. Lee Imiolek
16. Joe Graham
17. Charlie Beech
18. James Tideswell
19. Matt Smith
20. Chris Walker
21. Joel Hodgson
22. Max Wright
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:03:31:15:26:31 by Rocky's Dad.
Looks like someone pressed send too soon I did see it
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:03:31:20:22:51 by Carnegiette1.
