A lot of baffling stuff at Derwent Park

I travelled to Derwent Park full of optimism, having won our last three games, two away and one at home; both family and fellow Travellers Rest supporters believing we should have won the away game at Oldham.

The game started, Town playing into quite a strong breeze and Town very much in the ascendancy and I was convinced we were on our way to a win against the team in second position in our division.

My optimism was justly rewarded - two tries, one converted - with the score 10-0 to Town after 10/12 minutes of play.

We then missed another three excellent scoring chances and if taken we would have been in the lead 22-0 or even 28-0 and possibly game, set and match to Town.

At this point in the game Oldham were struggling to make any progress and to even gain a foothold in Town’s half.

Then came the usual ‘switch-off’ by Town – we Town supporters, plus our coaches and directors are at a total loss as to why this happens time and time again.

The result was Town let Oldham back into the game and at half-time it was 18-10 to Oldham.

The riot act must have been read to the team at half-time, more effort and improvement but once again we allowed tries to be scored – at least one from what looked to be a blatant pass forward – or flat pass and momentum rule as we hear all too often.

When can we return to the old days, when if a pass was ‘iffy’ it was deemed to be forward?

Referee Mr Kidd seemed confused at times and some of his decisions were, in my opinion, baffling to both supporters and players.

He didn’t help the game to flow.

Once again in the second half we missed chances.

If we had scored earlier I am of the opinion we could have pressurised Oldham and went on to win this game.

One last remark that I heard many years ago and no doubt Gary and Martin have heard on numerous occasions.

The game of rugby league is not rocket science.

1 - Respect the ball.

2 - Make your tackles count.

3 - End result game WON.