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Superb write up Lepi, I love writing 5 thoughts myself but had to leave the game around the 60 minute mark yesterday as the flue done me in...

Agree with all of the above, I thought Joel and Socino paired up really well again, I saw Socino miss a few tackles yesterday and make a few mistakes, but the go forward he is giving us at the minute is phenomenal.

Marshall does look like a good prospect indeed, but imo he needs to bulk up a bit, mind you showed some good footwork and speed yesterday and will just get better with more game time.

On the crowd and attendance, I think 3,500 is reasonable for challenge cup rugby at Newcastle. It's just not that popular of a tournament really and never has attracted big crowds, we played brive at KP 3 seasons ago when we had the grass pitch and only got 2,200 or something for that one or something like that. I think Connacht got around 3,500 when we went to their place last season, mind you their ground is quite small. The atmosphere is always ten times better for premiership games, the fans really get up for it and get behind the team. I was in the south stand yesterday and when ever I'm in there I love to get a chant going however yesterday I didn't feel up to cheering to much with the dreaded man flue! The drive home was awful. Back to the ground, although only 3,500 in attendance you would of thought the crowd would of made a bit more noise, unfortunately sometimes people just aren't up for it, but I have to say the atmosphere is always cracking for premiership games.

And lastly on the last try we conceded which I didn't see because I left early, it sounds rather guttering to concede that try and give them an extra point, how ever some of the guys in the team yesterday haven't been playing much rugby at all, likes of agulla, Orr, Ryan, Marshall and kibirige haven't had many opportunities do these guys will be more likely to making mistakes and lapses of concentration.

A not on seeing Tai tufiua back at KP yesterday.... thought he put in some massive hits, still looks a rather big force.

The speed of Joel's pass is outstanding. A low, level and accurate rocket. He also plays admirably flat. A threat whenever he has the ball.

There some missed passes but we played a lot of really good stuff with the ball in hand -I agree about Marshall - looks seriously quick but a bit light for the prem at the moment.

Cheers Leipy.I particularly like your last bonus thought, all the best for the festive season to you too.

As for the crowd, well I had Man Flu, not bad but enough to decide that it wasn't sensible to stand in the cold for just a cup game. How we fare in the Prem this season really is so important that I think the just a cup game factor may be worse than usual. If the supporters can pile it on for Prem games which they have done so magnificently this season, then a quiet cup game or two is a small price to pay.

Good to hear Hodgson continues to impress. It can only do him good to get some confidence building games under his belt. By Easter we may finally find out what he can do but he does need that run of games to sharpen his game properly.

The Takalua Hodgson Socino combo is several seconds quicker than any other combination and it makes a diffence. Agree about Marshall and thought catterick played well.

Joel and JP really starting to click.

TC looked good in parts as did Dan Marshall and Zach.

The first half tries had a real quality about them as Lyon just could not cope with the speed and intestity that we showed.

I also thought that Ben Sowrey was outstanding yesterday.....played with a real hunger and desire. He is really playing for the shirt and put another impressive performance in.

Yes Leipy the crowd were rather quiet even in the SS. What has happened to the Blaydon Races?

Quote:

rubyrhone
Yes Leipy the crowd were rather quiet even in the SS. What has happened to the Blaydon Races?

I think I was as loud as usual. Haven't heard Blaydon Races for a few games. The tune played over the PA system would help get us started.

Quote:

dick g
The speed of Joel's pass is outstanding. A low, level and accurate rocket. He also plays admirably flat. A threat whenever he has the ball.

I'm not a fan of the backs being flat, the opposition susses it out too easy and we are prone to an interception, ie first try against Exeter, and nearly a few others.

Sowery is a very good player. He will be first choice next season. And he has some serious pace!

Ive seen Marshall a few times and yes he looks another prospect.

I'd like to see young Zac really start to force a run for a starting shirt. He's had bad injuries etc, but if he's back fit and ready...he needs to start making a claim. Seems to have been a round a few years now, and he needs to make up for lost time.

I still believe in Hodgson and Catterick we have players that mean we don't need to go out and spend £400k+ on a big name 10.

Quote:

GeordieFalcon
Sowery is a very good player. He will be first choice next season. And he has some serious pace!

Scott Lawson is signed up until 2018 and I think he's still fantastic for us. We'll have to see how Kyle cooper gets on as well, he could well be a huge force for us, he's a saffa so he'll love the scrum and big carries. Can't wait till he's fit.

In the pre season games I didn't notice Sowrey at all, but I think he's just got better and better with more game time, has a great work rate and loves to carry all over the pitch. As Worcester fans said, he could be a very good signing indeed if he gets the opportunities.

The Worcester fans on mass said that Sowery just needed gametime and he would be a tremendous signing. Seems to be coming to the point.

Lawson has been class no doubt about it, but I think Sowery could really take over that spot. Hes a big unit, very powerful and a very fast runner / carrier.

Im interested to see what Cooper brings.

Quote:

AJfalc

Quote:

dick g
The speed of Joel's pass is outstanding. A low, level and accurate rocket. He also plays admirably flat. A threat whenever he has the ball.

I'm not a fan of the backs being flat, the opposition susses it out too easy and we are prone to an interception, ie first try against Exeter, and nearly a few others.

Agree that a flat line needs to be used judiciously and with an appreciation of the speed of the defensive line. But in the right place and time.......