Rovers probably didn't deserve to win against the Catalans, going down 37-24. Rovers were clearly tired from the derby game, with Catalan having an easy game down in London, allowing them to rest a number of their key players for the game against Rovers. A little bit unfair if you ask me and yet further underlining Sandercocks point about the Easter fixtures. Not to mention some horrendous decisions going against Rovers again from a crowd that jeer more than any other for penalties.
Another injury blow today with Poore being added to the list of those on the sidelines with what looked like an agonising injury. So that is A Walker, J Walker, Poore, Green, Cockayne, D Hodgson, Gleeson (still), Langley and Keating on the injury list.
I think we should have Cockayne, Hodgy, Langley, Keating and Green back in two weeks time but it was a bit of a blow losing Poore as it leaves us limited with options in the forward pack. The two week break will hopefully do the world of good and came at the right time.
I have a thing to say about the Catalan team which I have noticed more this season as they have been on tv a great deal. But, the Cats seem to play for penalties all the time, Escare and Pelissier being the main perpetrators. Something needs to change with respect to the old trick of trapping the defenders arm.
Granted, its a hard one to judge, but there was one instance where a Catalan player was practically contorted around Lovegrove (who was practically stood up with his arms raised) trying to get a penalty for interference. Its practically cheating, yet the referees can do nothing in favour of the defender except ignore the behaviour of the attacker and wait for the game to go on. I'd argue that its analogous to diving in football, its the rugby league equivalent. Cats seem to be the worst, no other SL team seems to try it on as much as they do.
Last year it was on Sky.