super league playoffs from friday 21st september 07

topnotch

friday; wigan +8 at bradford no one can dout the saint's commitment in trying to beat wigan last week, they pushed all the way but in the end wigan pulled it off. it was close though. i have a nagging feeling wigan can shock bradford tomorrow. noble is a smart man and if he gets his tactics right and can keep the bulls from camping in the wigan half they have every chance. i am not exactly brimming with confidence though, but i reckon it will be close right to the hooter and i cannot see either side winning by a big margin, hence the visitors with the start. i heard deacon may be missing, any inside info matty Confused

saturday; hull -8 to beat huddersfield black and whites peaking at right time, key players coming to form and they look surprisingly fresh and strong so late into the season. giants looked out on their feet at hull kr last week, and given the tension and stuff i think they will be beaten in the last 20 minutes if not sooner, by at least 2 tries.

next week; saint helens -8? to beat leeds big game this, and the saints seem to come alive on the big occasion. looking for the easy passage and i reckon they will get it by more than 8. regardless this will be an exciting game to enjoy. the only problem with saints is their inability to convert tries consistently (with the conversion 2 points, not fluffing chances lol), however fortunately for us handicap punters they are ruthless at touching down. leeds are in good shape though and should not be written off lightly but i can't see any other result.
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mathewjamie17 · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 11:53 am Post subject:

Thats true topnotch Paul Deacon is out of the game as is Evans which is a blow blow for us however Shontayne Hape returned last week after his long term injury and looked as if he hadn't been away,he was simply superb.
The weather here is appalling i dont think i have seen it rain so bad all year,this rain is due to go on all night so by time the game starts the players will no doubt be playing on mud instead of grass Laughing

Playing in rain like this makes it a game for the forwards and i believe the Bulls have the edge over Wigan here with players like Joe Vagana,Sam Burgess and Shontayne Hape coming infield from the centre.
Due to the weather i think i would probably back Wigan +8 but still think Bulls will edge it.

topnotch · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:59 pm Post subject:

i cannot believe that. 30 points to 6 down with just under 30 mins left. sensational stuff Shocked

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betking · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject:

I'm still in shock! I was contemplating Wigan +8 and Wigan outright, and at half time I was glad I didnt. I went out, and when I came back in and saw Wigan pulled a rabbit out of the hat, I was gobsmacked Shocked

Must've been awesome stuff from Wigan, I wonder how big they drifted to on Betfair? Confused

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topnotch · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 11:31 pm Post subject:

bradford forwards dominated the game completely in the first half, came out and scored again after the break. unfortunately they thought the job was done, understandably bringing off newton and solomona with the game apparently in the bag. even the wigan players looked like the game was up until barret started pulling strings to set off calderwood to the corner. with the defecit down to three tries wigan kept the ball moving and dominated posession, leading to the tries and then to pounce on a bull offloading in the wigan 10m line. calderwood intercepted and ran the length of the field to tie the game with about 8 mins left. cue a knock on on the bulls 40 metre line and pat richards drop goal wins the game.
bradford put so much into the first half they ran out of steam in the last 20, they failed to go for the drop goal on many opportunities to psychologically grab the egde. wigan had the pace, stamina and momentum to keep going. incredible game. commiserations to bulls fans though, they must still be in shock.

incidentally, i reckon a similar scenario will occur in tomorrow's game. at this stage of the season it comes down to the sides in the best shape with the vast majority of their squad available. hull have that, their game is based on speed and quick ball movement aswell. huddersfield rely on hard work in the forwards and a good kicking game for the most part. i think this will take the most physical toll and hull will take advantage as the game wears on. hopefully this will be just as entertaining as tonight.
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mathewjamie17 · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 3:07 pm Post subject:

What can i say im absolutely gutted,i thought Bradford dominated the game until we took Solomona and Newton off with 20 minutes to go that cost us in the end.
Big mistake by McNamara but hes young he will learn from this and so will the players.
Thank god this was Nathan McAvoys last game for us the guy must make 5 errors per game on average Lose

not all bad news the Bulls have confirmed 5 new signings for next season in Nero,Jeffries,Tadulala,Godwin,Finnegan aswell as Paul Sykes who was confirmed last week.

topnotch · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:23 am Post subject:

reagrding leeds v saints, long and faa'savalu are apparently out. however this doesn't swerve my leaning towards saints. long has not been his best anyway for the latter part of this season, and mauri although powerful can be a liability. the stats for this season will indicate leeds can win, however the 4/11 on saints looks a banker, and the -8 appeals. there is just something about leeds in that they underachieve when they are expected to go close. whereas saints usually do the business when it counts.
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top rugby tipster april 2007