I would have bet a substantial amount of money that Wigan would not have taken a penalty kick at goal in the second half. Yet leading by just 6 with 33 minutes left, they needed those insurance points. We had just had a chance to potentially tie the scores.
The late change where Campagnolo dropped out of the starting (and total) line-up meant by my calculations that only Bassett (League 1 player 18 months ago) and Kennedy counted as quota players; so five short of what is allowed.
Now accepting the Wigan players were generally higher quality and fitter, what stood out to me was the physical difference. Often three and at times four Broncos were required to stop the opposition. Probably being overly simplistic here, but were we to have fielded five Southern Hemisphere brick-houses with the requisite skills (and fitness!) would we have been significantly more competitive?
I was impressed (again) today watching a team that is probably over performing it's individual constituent parts. For 50 minutes we stuck in there. There was always only going to be one winner. Pre-match I expected us to concede points on almost every Wigan possession in the last 15 minutes. I was very doubtful we'd score today, certainly not four times (plus one overruled by the Video Ref) and 10 nil down after ten minutes I was fearing a result of 0-80. In the end the final result was harsh, but Wigan became clinical and we were totally knackered.
A good solid attendance just over 4,000 (looked four figure away support) plus Hospitality doing very well again. I guess the only knock, on attendance (and perhaps being a bit harsh) is not hitting 5,000 against Wigan. In all areas of the club though, they've come on leaps and bounds in the last two years. Chalk and Cheese comparing the dismal shutout at home to Whitehaven and today's match. Watching the former I didn't see much future at Plough Lane. Today I did.
