cf2 is back
Reserve Grader
I wasn't going to bother with a GB&U report for a non NRL game that's basically a glorified trial game, but given the loss and completely misleading scoreline it's important to set the facts straight before the doomsayers lose the plot.
THE GOOD:
1st half:
Very little field position in the first half, it was an age before we even had one decent attacking set in their 20. Despite all this and a rampant excited Leeds coming at us the score was still only 6-0 down for some time. We worked a good right side move into their corner and Brett simply had to dummy and he was a dead certainty to score. Instead he unselfishly decided to attempt a corner pass to Wolfman but it was ill timed and they took a 90 metre intercept to score. Unlucky.
Despite then having to battle and even more rampant Leeds with a 12-0 lead Foran found a perfect inside ball for Brett to score under the posts and peg it back to 12-6. A late half cross field kick out to Wolfie's wing and their winger Hall out leapt him to score. We go to the break trailing 16-6 having basically no decent time in their 20.
2nd half:
We come out looking better and start building a solid platform to mount a win. DCE scores a neat try and we only trail 16-12. The match feels like it's ours to take and everybody is working hard to get better field position. Suddenly our rusty bike is finding better gears and players who seemed quiet in the first half are now looking ominous. Foran, DCE, Watmough and T Rex all look likely to cause damage.
With about 8 minutes to go you can feel a Manly try and a sapping moment for Leeds as we hit the lead for the first time and take the match. Everyone can see it, even the mind numbingly grating bores Hemmings and Stevenson in the commentary box. A dangerous bomb goes up and Webb spills it cold. A Manly scrum 15 out would be a massive opportunity to win the game, but the referee Klein says it was knocked backwards. Really? POOR DECISION NO.1
Minutes later T-Rex is penalised for a high shot but the replay shows it's a love tap on the shoulder. POOR DECISION NO. 2
Minutes later again Leeds attack out wide and score in the corner to win the game. But the replays shows it was a blatant forward pass. POOR DECISION NO. 3
3 critical decisions in the space of a few minutes and it's game over. Leeds score a last minute pin ball try to give them a totally flattering and misleading scoreline of 26-12.
Plenty of good for mine - we were right in it until 3 unlucky decisions in a row in the crucial last minutes changed the entire match - our halves showed they will be a handful again in 2012 - we suffered no injuries of note whatsoever - we won't be getting carried away like we did in 08/09 celebrating - and we can come home safely and focus on the real deal of March 4.
Joey Johns added it was a tough night against a determined Leeds and we were not only right in the match but more importantly we will be right up there in the top 4 for 2012.
THE BAD:
A few sloppy attacking efforts at times but what would anyone expect after 5 months? Is it just me or do a couple of our boys look a little overweight? Glenn Stewart included.
THE UGLY:
3 dreadful referee decision in the final 7 minutes decided the game and handed Leeds a very flattering score line.
In summary:
- our first game for 5 months (you can't count a 31 player reserve grade trial v Sharks)
- 98% of crowd passionate vocal Leeds supporters
- 3 unlucky ref decisions in final 7 mins
- excellent stats of 83% completion, only 8 missed tackles, and only 7 errors underlining a very misleading score
- no injuries to carry home
Sure it was a disappointing result, but let's not lose any sleep over this one folks, we will be fine come March when it really matters.
THE GOOD:
1st half:
Very little field position in the first half, it was an age before we even had one decent attacking set in their 20. Despite all this and a rampant excited Leeds coming at us the score was still only 6-0 down for some time. We worked a good right side move into their corner and Brett simply had to dummy and he was a dead certainty to score. Instead he unselfishly decided to attempt a corner pass to Wolfman but it was ill timed and they took a 90 metre intercept to score. Unlucky.
Despite then having to battle and even more rampant Leeds with a 12-0 lead Foran found a perfect inside ball for Brett to score under the posts and peg it back to 12-6. A late half cross field kick out to Wolfie's wing and their winger Hall out leapt him to score. We go to the break trailing 16-6 having basically no decent time in their 20.
2nd half:
We come out looking better and start building a solid platform to mount a win. DCE scores a neat try and we only trail 16-12. The match feels like it's ours to take and everybody is working hard to get better field position. Suddenly our rusty bike is finding better gears and players who seemed quiet in the first half are now looking ominous. Foran, DCE, Watmough and T Rex all look likely to cause damage.
With about 8 minutes to go you can feel a Manly try and a sapping moment for Leeds as we hit the lead for the first time and take the match. Everyone can see it, even the mind numbingly grating bores Hemmings and Stevenson in the commentary box. A dangerous bomb goes up and Webb spills it cold. A Manly scrum 15 out would be a massive opportunity to win the game, but the referee Klein says it was knocked backwards. Really? POOR DECISION NO.1
Minutes later T-Rex is penalised for a high shot but the replay shows it's a love tap on the shoulder. POOR DECISION NO. 2
Minutes later again Leeds attack out wide and score in the corner to win the game. But the replays shows it was a blatant forward pass. POOR DECISION NO. 3
3 critical decisions in the space of a few minutes and it's game over. Leeds score a last minute pin ball try to give them a totally flattering and misleading scoreline of 26-12.
Plenty of good for mine - we were right in it until 3 unlucky decisions in a row in the crucial last minutes changed the entire match - our halves showed they will be a handful again in 2012 - we suffered no injuries of note whatsoever - we won't be getting carried away like we did in 08/09 celebrating - and we can come home safely and focus on the real deal of March 4.
Joey Johns added it was a tough night against a determined Leeds and we were not only right in the match but more importantly we will be right up there in the top 4 for 2012.
THE BAD:
A few sloppy attacking efforts at times but what would anyone expect after 5 months? Is it just me or do a couple of our boys look a little overweight? Glenn Stewart included.
THE UGLY:
3 dreadful referee decision in the final 7 minutes decided the game and handed Leeds a very flattering score line.
In summary:
- our first game for 5 months (you can't count a 31 player reserve grade trial v Sharks)
- 98% of crowd passionate vocal Leeds supporters
- 3 unlucky ref decisions in final 7 mins
- excellent stats of 83% completion, only 8 missed tackles, and only 7 errors underlining a very misleading score
- no injuries to carry home
Sure it was a disappointing result, but let's not lose any sleep over this one folks, we will be fine come March when it really matters.
