The number given at the match was 2,905 and the Featherstone fans came in greater numbers than most Superleague team fans have done this season. They were also very supportive of their team and did a neat conga at one point!
Saints fans in the East Stand, such as we were, made a lot of noise in the first half when we looked like giving a try away at any moment (I'm sure Featherstone were in our half at least double the time we were in theirs during the first half) but in the second half we relaxed a bit and only made noise whenever Childs acted the idiot he is or when we were scoring.
Saints were very poor in the first half. Some of that was because Featherstone worked hard; some of it was because we were rubbish. Wello was on Twitter last night watching the boxing. Well, he could have done with going to bed if his first half performance was anything to go by! Some of the play was cringeworthy from Saints and we went into halftime looking decidedly dodgy, having only just avoided a try by Featherstone.
In the second half either Featherstone switched off or we got our act together because we looked like a different team. We improved as the second half went on and there came a point when we were scoring for fun. What was important to me, though, was that we kept Featherstone to nil. That attitude is what we need going forward. If we can replicate that against the Crusaders on Friday then we have a chance, regardless of who plays for us. However, if we look as poor as we did in the first half against any Superleague team then we will be going into halftime with a big mountain to climb - again.
Ade Gardner went off injured but apparently it is nothing serious (he hurt his shoulder). No point in risking him during the game and besides, Makinson enjoyed his time, scoring two tries.
The young guys went well. Nathan Ashe looked more confident this time out. He has very good ball control, taking a very high pass from Foster at one time while running forward to score a beauty of a try. Warren Thompson had a solid debut and scored a try of his own, which is great for him. Foster was absolutely astounding with his boot. Man, that guy has a real gift.