Hull Dockers (Away)
Leigh Miners travel up the M62 to Humberside on Saturday to take on Hull Dockers in Round 4 of the NCL Kingstone Press Cider Premier Division, Kick off 2-30pm at The Willows.
Miners go to Hull having made it three wins from three last weekend when they beat newly promoted York Acorn 20-6 at home. The performance though being far from convincing with ball in hand, completing their sets at 61% in the first half and 50% in the second which is nowhere near good enough. Defensively apart from a soft try conceded in the second half it was again a positive to take from the game with Miners defending strongly throughout and never really being troubled by Acorn despite the amount of possession they had.
It will be the same attitude to the last few weeks as far as defence is concerned for Miners with them again looking to set a strong platform with another tough hard working defensive display. In attack completion needs to improve and it is something that has been talked about this week at training by the lads as they look to put in a good performance before their week off to keep their 100% start to the season going.
Speaking about last week’s win against York Acorn, utility club stalwart Tom Farrimond said “We went ok in parts, we spoke before hand about dampening their enthusiasm with high completion and patience.”
“I felt the longer we kept them out of the game the harder they’d find it, As it transpired we dampened their enthusiasm with another outstanding defensive effort.”
“I think they were completing up in the 90’s where as we were way below our target.”
“That said you’ve got to take the positives from another ruthless defensive display, we seem to have shaken off an attitude of “it doesn’t matter if they score 20 because we’ll score 30″ which has been our way for as long as I can remember”
“With some new recruits going well so far, and the competition for shirts inspiring some big performances from established players I think we’re in a strong position to kick on.”
“There were a few individual errors with the try line begging so potentially it could have been an even more convincing victory if we convert our chances.”
Looking ahead to this week’s game in Hull, Farrimond added “We will need to put in a more complete performance, we’ll need to improve on our ball control and kick well, something Dockers always do.”
“If we’re putting the ball dead on the last tackle we’ll be punished, the pitch is quite short so 20 free yards will put our defence to test.”
“If we can add these two things to our recent defensive performances along with getting rid of the mental aspect of travelling up to Hull and the deliberately uncomfortable changing facilities we’ll be greeted with.”
“I’d back us for the win!”
“Overall, considering where we are in the season, the number of new faces in the squad and the way we’ve started, I think we’re in a healthy position.”
Coach Allan Coleman makes a few changes this week due to a number players involved in the York Acorn win being unavailable. Dropping out of the seventeen are Matt Astley, Andrew Groves, Ian Mort, Mark Nicholson, Connor Partington and Sam Peet.
Coming into the side are Chris Bower, Harry Gagen, Lee Gittins, Martin Gray, youngster Jamie King who has been impressing in the second team in recent weeks and Jonny Youds who returns from a shoulder injury picked up last year and makes his first appearance of the year.
On last week’s win against York Acorn, coach Allan Coleman said “I’m happy with the result but not the performance, we need to learn how to dominate a game for the full eighty”
“Our defence is very good at the moment and is helping us get results.”
“But we will work hard to put our attacking play more consistent with a higher completion.”
“Individually on Saturday for us I thought Connor Ratcliffe and Tom Farrimond and Brad Hargreaves was outstanding.”
Looking ahead to the Dockers game, Coleman added “We are looking forward to the game and want to do something we haven’t done for seven years, and that’s win there.”
“We will be without some players but that’s part and parcel of the game.”
“Dockers always have a big powerful pack, but I think our middles this year are as strong as any.”
“It’s good to see Darryl Kay back training this week, so hopefully we will see him back on the field soon.”
Hull Dockers will be looking to kick start their season on Saturday having lost all three of their matches so far this campaign, losing against West Hull (20-10), Wath Brow (26-12) in their opening two games before having victory snatched from them last weekend when Lock Lane scored with the last play of the game to win 22-18.
Dockers have a good record against Miners in the summer era at The Willows and with their performances improving each week, they will be hoping that continues this weekend as they look to pick up their first two points of the season.
For more about Hull Dockers click on the link below as the Hull Daily Mail writes about Saturday’s game.
Leigh Miners second team will be looking to end a run of two defeats on Saturday when they are at home against Halton Farnworth Hornets in the league, Kick off 2-30pm at Twist Lane
The u18s are away on Sunday against Ince Rose Bridge in the first round of the Lancashire Cup, kick off 11-45am at Pinfold Street.
Leigh Mines Ladies are at home on Sunday against Oulton Raidettes in the league, Kick off 2pm at Twist Lane. The Ladies started their new season last weekend with a 48-0 away win at Rochdale Hornets.
Related Posts
« Leigh Miners Rangers 20 York Acorn 6 Hull Dockers 6 Leigh Miners Rangers 24 »
