Sunday, Bloody Sunday!

It is on weekends like this one that I really miss being in the Premiership (apart from the odd occasion when we won a match). Whilst we are playing Currie in some nothing of a competition half the AP are playing in the Heineken Cup. I can just about remember our two excursions into the top club competition in Europe. There were some jolly fine trips to be had across the water! Even the second tier competition can lead to exotic destinations in far-flung spots across the continent - Exeter were in Perpignan this weekend.

So enjoy your Currie on Sunday afternoon. I am sure that the kids will give their all for the cause. Whilst my head will be at HC my heart will be further afield. Roll on our return to the top flight!

Time to Raise our Expectations.

The autumn has, so far , been quite horrid for Tykes fans, until last weekend when the pups were unleashed at Bedford . They came away from Goldington Road with all five points, bucket loads of kudos and a much needed boost to their collective self confidence.

This must now be taken forward into the Nottingham game! It is not unreasonable for us to expect a degree of consistency, game on game. Despite the fact that we have won four consecutive fixtures the home games have been flakey performances to put it mildly.

Our senior squad players seem to be bearing the brunt of the injuries at the moment so it is down to the youngsters to shoulder the burden of performance. To me it seems that they are up to the task. Tomorrow's team has enough about it to see off Nottingham. I expect to see an improved performance and a place in the top half of the table by Xmas.

The Season Started Yesterday.

Leeds managed an away win down at London Scottish yesterday just after England's world cup dreams were trampled into the New Zealand dirt by the rampant French. Do I feel sad? No, I feel relieved that our season has finally started, albeit with lowered expectations and we have the prospect of back-to-back wins to look forward to if we can overcome Moseley at HC next Sunday. We also had the big plus of Mike MacDonald returning with a forceful second half performance. Perhaps now our scrummaging will improve - always a good sign of better things to come.

Looking at the Championship table I can see us getting up to about 5th or 6th by Christmas. By that time many of the kids will have found their feet in this tough division and we will be in a better position for the play-offs. Bring it on!

Kids Clobbered by Cornish Corsairs

Not a good game to pick for your first outing on national television, away at Cornish Pirates, a team who have over the past few years become the powerhouse of the Championship. It certainly looked like men against boys from my armchair.

I hope that Diccon has identified the areas where we need to improve. If not then they are the scrum, lineout, rucking(too slow), defence & game management. Easy enough to sort out if you have the manpower which of course we do not.

After Saturday's beating I have adjusted my sights for the season but we will still have to start with a home win over Donny on Sunday.

Another Stiff Test for the Kids

Two defeats on the trot for the kids. Bristol are up this weekend enjoying the sort of form that their long-suffering fans could only dream about last year at this time. The Tykes were given a torrid time in the set piece last weekend. Will they fare any better this time around?

It is too soon to expect a win with tries flying in from all corners of the ground. What we do need to see, however, is improvement in those areas where we have been lacking. That plus some leadership from the older players otherwise we could be bottom of the heap on Monday morning.

Green Shoots as Leeds go down on Day One

Who would have predicted that  Gordon Ross would have a 100% kicking day at HC? Well not me for starters. London Welsh are a workman-like side who will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. Today they just about deserved their win but were hanging on at the end as the Leeds youngsters attacked with vigour and showed that things will get better the more that they play together.

McColl and Wilson looked sharp whenever they got the ball. Denman was feisty in the scrums. Hampson & White will be vying for the 9 shirt all season & Ryan Burrows scored a decent try after a quiet first half. There was enough potential there today to leave the fans surprisingly upbeat when the final whistle went.

Cry Havoc and let slip the Dogs of War!

The weekend is upon us. The wait is over. Diccon Edwards has named his side for the opening fixture of the season. The team is peppered with young hopefuls, eager to make their mark and establish themselves in the 1st XV: Craig Hampson at 9, Ollie Richards at outside centre and Curtis Wilson on the wing. Add to them newcomers Ryan Burrows, Davie Young and Stevie McColl and the Tykes fans will not recognise half the team. Diccon Edwards stated that his teams will always have a winning mentality when they go onto the pitch. This starts tomorrow when he lets slip the puppies!