It was clear in my opinion that both coaches picked teams to benefit their squads and create a competitive, fairly open game. It worked! The Bulls bringing 7 bona fide first teamers, 2 expected to make impacts in 2025 and the rest youngsters looking to plough a field at this level. The Rams team had a mixed feel to it too with a couple of debutants and some big players rested with one eye on The upcoming HW challenge cup derby. The Bulls started the better. We just didn't start.. a series of errors and penalties saw us with just a handful of non-completed sets in the first 10 minutes. 0-10. The guys grew into it and eventually ran out narrow winners. Deservedly, I thought. I was impressed with Louis Walker, in my opinion he was man of the match. The fullback McShane just behind him. Plus points were the new guys, the effort and the fact they shook off the nervey start and managed to grab a foothold into the game. On the negative side,well, it was obviously the start! Couldn't of done much more wrong in the opening 10 if they had tried to! The Ref..? I dont think he was good! To their benefit he allowed a messy ruck (lets call it professionalism) , on the other side I know a few Bradford fans felt there were some unpunished tackling infringements on our part. (defending team supporters rarely see these) He did that thing I hate from poor referees.. when he gave a 50/50 he wasn't sure about, more often than not he gave something equally iffy the other way to balance it out. I'd bet the penalty count was even. We won't even mention the ghost try!! Jack was fuming! See you all at the Mount hope we get some numbers there and make some noise!!!