This weekend the Tykes have the opportunity to continue the recovery which appeared to have started on the island of Jersey but which then stuttered in the second half a week later, when they were beaten at HC by a rampant Warriors team. On Saturday the lads are taking the high road to London Scottish....
The Exiles have only been in the Championship for a few years. In that time they have more than established themselves in this tough division and, in my opinion, can now be rightfully be regarded as a top four side. This also means that, on current form, they have leapfrogged us in the pecking order of English clubs. Whilst we have been enjoying the "rollercoaster" here in Yorkshire Scottish have improved year on year, finding a consistency which always seems to elude us.
The Exiles game was traditionally based on a strong pack and a very mean defence. This season their defence is similar to ours (228 points conceded) but they have managed to score 100 points more than us in just 10 games.
On Saturday we will be missing Ryan Burrows due to a 3 week ban for dirty play. He will be missed. Jarad Williams is a decent number 8 and should take the opportunity to impress Tommy McGee. One player who has already done that is prop Paul Hill who is rapidly becoming a contender for first choice in the front row.
Our cover in the backs remains thin. CG should get the nod at fullback as should Leonard at 10. Hopefully Jonah has recovered and it would be nice to see the Doc back on his wing.
The game is a real test. I did not expect us to beat Worcester. We can beat Scottish . I think that confidence will be key. Has Tommy instilled enough confidence into his side? I hope so! I am going for an away win by less than 5 points.
I don't doubt in the slightest the effort Tommy and the lads put in but we have too much and do and are not quite good enough for the Play-offs this season.
On the bright side, you can get some really cheap holidays in May.
I actually think it will do our squad an awful lot of good to have a proper close season instead of extending into the end of May again. In some ways it may be a blessing in disguise if we lose the B & I quarter final against Bristol.
Good run in towards the end of the season then come back fully refreshed for a change raring to go for next season.
1: I am basing my opinion on one performance that is unforgiveable.
2: I am a part time supporter. Respect to those of you who are there day in day out through thick and thin.
Points:
1: Lots of effort and application.
2: We just don't have the same standard of players anymore. No point debating tactics, training, individual performances.
3: What have they done to that lovely fireplace in the clubhouse?
4: Yet another rugby club serving electric beer [unless I missed a "superior" bar.
5: There was a blatant obstruction for the Scots third try that the touch judge missed somehow. It didn't matter, I still thought the final score flattered Carnegie.
The performance at Scottish was poor, the players coaching staff and those of us that were at the game suffered terrible disappointment and frustration, but as bad as we were we still should have won, Scottish did not win the game we lost it.Our performances for most of year have not been up to standard,but the corner has been turned,and with more depth we will be back challenging.C O YORKSHIRE!!
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