Play Off Semi-final - Sale - 14th May 2023 - KO 3-00pm

[Pellsey]

Better team won. Really suffered without Pollard. Also thought Youngs’ kicking was brilliant when he was on. Thought we did well upfront for the most part and got no luck at scrum time.

The turning point of the game was steward’s kick out on the full.

Biggest shame is we never really had a go in the last 20.

It was JVP, but completely agree with the rest ;)

No it was Freddie dropped the ball backwards and hoofed it straight out

Ahhh, that one,yes. I though you were talking about the last 2 kicks. Agreed, though. Apologies.

[Tigers86asw]

Better team won. Really suffered without Pollard. Also thought Youngs’ kicking was brilliant when he was on. Thought we did well upfront for the most part and got no luck at scrum time.

The turning point of the game was steward’s kick out on the full.

Biggest shame is we never really had a go in the last 20.

It was JVP, but completely agree with the rest ;)

No it was Freddie dropped the ball backwards and hoofed it straight out

Glad I’m not going senile!

[Pellsey]

Time to give Atkinson a starting berth guess that will happen come the world cup

Yup, he needs the gametime.

[TigerReggie]

We need two new 9's.

JvP just needs to play like he was 18 months ago.

[Tigers86asw]

It was JVP, but completely agree with the rest ;)

No it was Freddie dropped the ball backwards and hoofed it straight out

Ahhh, that one,yes. I though you were talking about the last 2 kicks. Agreed, though.

As soon as it got to 8 points we were cooked.

[Jimmy Skitz]

the last 2 kicks were on Julian, the first one he should have taken the points to get within a score then the second probably never happens either.

[Pellsey]

No it was Freddie dropped the ball backwards and hoofed it straight out

Ahhh, that one,yes. I though you were talking about the last 2 kicks. Agreed, though.

As soon as it got to 8 points we were cooked.

Yup, you are totally right, apologies.

[Jimmy Skitz]

Time to give Atkinson a starting berth guess that will happen come the world cup

Yup, he needs the gametime.

I don't understand why he was frozen out, was in good form then just vanished, really strange

[DeadlyDunc]

Close fought game, Sale were better and deserved the win.

I think people are being incredibly harsh on JVP, Steward and Youngs - all were decent but the difference between the teams was Ford who was imperious, made it easy for their 9s (and the team in general) as he just controlled everything and gave them calmness under pressure.

If we had Pollard then I think it would have been even tighter on the scoreboard and we could have nicked it.

If buts and maybes though - well done to Sale and it’ll be a good final.

[Pellsey]

Time to give Atkinson a starting berth guess that will happen come the world cup

Yup, he needs the gametime.

I don't understand why he was frozen out, was in good form then just vanished, really strange

I guess it corralated with Pollard's return to form?

[TigerReggie]

To be stripped of almost all your main coaches in season, getting anywhere near the final is an achievement. Let's be honest, no team that finishes 3rd should be "winning" the league.

[BigDan50]

I think it’s right that the two top teams in the league are in the final, both teams have been in the top two for most of the season, they deserve it.

[WhitecapTiger]

Absolutely proud of all the players for turning around a mess of a season that was not of their own making, took a bit of time to overcome the disruption but they did us proud to get to get back on track and get to the playoffs.

Even though we always looked slightly second best for most of that game we were always 'in it' and there or thereabouts, (despite losing our 1st choice 10 who has been magnificent of late) which is where the disappointment and frustration kicks in today, we had chances and never took them - small margins sometimes but other times was just a lack of sense or poor execution.

Sale slightly better on the day and better, just, over the season (that 10 point difference was only a one game swing 5 points either way) - so good luck to them in the final but with injuries and how they actually played today, I can't see anything but a Sarries win, but that's what many thought last year.

So Tigers, chins up and look forward to an extra 2 weeks break, get fighting fit for next year, new HC and coaching team to be determined. Onwards and upwards.

[Tigers86asw]

Absolutely proud of all the players for turning around a mess of a season that was not of their own making, took a bit of time to overcome the disruption but they did us proud to get to get back on track and get to the playoffs.

Even though we always looked slightly second best for most of that game we were always 'in it' and there or thereabouts, (despite losing our 1st choice 10 who has been magnificent of late) which is where the disappointment and frustration kicks in today, we had chances and never took them - small margins sometimes but other times was just a lack of sense or poor execution.

Sale slightly better on the day and better, just, over the season (that 10 point difference was only a one game swing 5 points either way) - so good luck to them in the final but with injuries and how they actually played today, I can't see anything but a Sarries win, but that's what many thought last year.

So Tigers, chins up and look forward to an extra 2 weeks break, get fighting fit for next year, new HC and coaching team to be determined. Onwards and upwards.

I think getting top 4 given the disruption is an outstanding achievement.

[MCC1964]

I think it’s right that the two top teams in the league are in the final, both teams have been in the top two for most of the season, they deserve it.

Yes. I hate the playoffs. In a top league the team that finish top should be the champs. End of. Particularly when we’re trying to improve player welfare. Seems crazy a team finishing fourth could be champs. But it is was it is. At least the top two teams are in there. That being said, I’d love Sale to win it.