Dewsbury 10-28 Bradford

Well, we started our pre-season hit outs with a good solid performance against the NL2 Champions Dewsbury Rams. It was a good performance, on a pitch that doesn't really suit the style of rugby we and many other SL sides like to play, very tight.

On a dark, damp and boggy afternoon in deepest, darkest Stevo-ville, the young lads, with Harris (Ben), Cook, Saint, Platt and skipper Henderson, gave a very good account of themselves, perhaps with the exception of the wingers.

In an area we are looking short of, Smith and Halley failed to make an impact that could force Steve Mac's hand into the transfer market. Halley had a particularly torrential time of things, with a few too many handling errors, including one that led to a try. Smith was quiet, and didn't really look to get into the game at all.

The forwards were inspring however, getting stuck into the larger framed and more agressive [see Andy Hobson] Dewsbury forwards. Antony Tonks and Matt James were impressive, mind, James has always looked a great player. It seems that a year getting regular games in NL1 has done Antony the world of good, he looks well equipped to be a brilliant forward.

All in all, the signs were encouraging today, except maybe the wingers, but they'll have another chance to impress at Hull KR before Steve McNamara picks just one for the full strength friendly at Wakefield. Here's the newest addition to the site: the pitch map.