So far so good....
1 or 3?
By Mr Misery
September 6 2016
Yorkshire Carnegie opened its Championship account with a solid 5 point win at Vallis Way last weekend in difficult weather conditions. The match was played on an unforgiving 3G pitch which appeared to damage more than one Ealing player. Our boys got away relatively unscathed. One bananaskin avoided, twenty-one to go!
So far so good for Carnegie as potential playoff rivals Donny, Welsh and Scottish all fell to defeat on the road. The Knights were nilled at the Madstad. Welsh lost by the odd point in 50+ at Clifton Lane and the Scottish Exiles were pipped by this week's visitors to Headingley Carnegie - Nottingham. Bedford tripped up at home against the Pirates and Jersey were rampant at the RAG. It is always nice to start the season with a win on the road.. It is even better to follow that up with a solid home win. So it is simple. Carnegie must beat Nottingham on Sunday. No ifs no buts. We claim to be contenders. Therefore we must aim to win all our home fixtures, starting on Sunday. Nottingham are a good solid top half side but if we have serious ambitions this season then we must be targetting games like this one as "must win". I will go as far as saying that we must win all our home fixtures this season. That will put us on target for a top-two finish ( another must!).
Team selection last week seemed to be governed, to a certain extent, by injuries. Certainly I cannot believe that we went with only 3 props cos we wanted to. We have ( last time I looked) 7 props in the senior squad. I know that O'Donnell got a head injury so what about Boyce, Cusack and the new (new) lad, James Thraves. If we have a lot of injuries at this stage of the season then we need to look at the players' conditioning. Charlie Beech is, for me, our standout prop. He should not have to do a full 80 minutes (unless we want to wreck him). Start with Beech and Parker this week but please can we have two props on the bench?
We have 3 hookers in the squad but I notice that the Academy's Jordan Poole was on the bench at Ealing. Presumably Graham and Mayhew were injured. Phil Nilsen should retain the 2 shirt if only to practice his throwing. In fact I would keep the same front five this week for that very reason. With lineout jumping practice makes perfect - throw, jump, lift - sounds easy but I am assured that it is not.
The presence of two ball carriers in the back row seemed to suit Buzz who looked to eclipse the new lad at Vallis Way. I was frightened for the Ealing defenders just watching the highlights! Mayhew is the current holder of the 7 shirt. Is he our best 7? Time will tell but I hope that Saull, Wakker and Bainbridge push him hard
Behind the scrum Davies had a busy day and shared the kicking with Joe. I wonder if this was a one-off or if they will continue to do it? Like last season I expected the starting centres to be Casson & Forsyth. Like last season fitness has seemingly eluded Tom. Pistol Pete appeared to take advantage of his absence, being involved in most of our good moves and getting a try as well.
Conditions at Ealing were not conducive to free running open play but that did not stop Stevie McColl getting across the line in the corner to open up what could prove to be a very productive account this season. I expect Jonah and Stegman will enjoy the wide open space at HC on Sunday as long as they get enough ball.
I hope that Bryan Redpath keeps his team changes to a minimum. Last season we never seemed to have a settled side. The players who won at Ealing are quite capable of delivering a win at Headingley-Carnegie on Sunday. After that we have tough fixtures week in week out until the break for the cup. Wouldn't it be nice if our team selection by that time is very predictable with a dozen shoe-ins every week. I live in hope.
I am looking forward to Sunday's game. With my new found optimism I believe that we will win it. Tykes by 10!
See you in the Paddock!
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016:09:28:07:59:59 by Wildwillie .
Quote:. Other experts are available .almostatyke
Brush's latest interview on the offie seems to acknowledge that he needs to be more consistent in his selection this season. I presume WW and Leeming have had a word in his ear.
Quote:yeldorQuote:. Other experts are available .almostatyke
Brush's latest interview on the offie seems to acknowledge that he needs to be more consistent in his selection this season. I presume WW and Leeming have had a word in his ear.
But I have got you down as an IT expert?
Quote:if only .almostatykeQuote:yeldorQuote:. Other experts are available .almostatyke
Brush's latest interview on the offie seems to acknowledge that he needs to be more consistent in his selection this season. I presume WW and Leeming have had a word in his ear.
But I have got you down as an IT expert?
sent off carried off never backed off