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Wello’s World - Laid back Lee
Lee Gaskell
I haven’t met a more laid back man on the planet than Lee Gaskell.
And that particular trait of his came to the fore on Sunday afternoon at Widnes, as he cooly slotted home the touch line conversion to bag us two valuable points.
I don’t know if Gasky has any routine when dealing with kicking goals in pressure situations, but I very much doubt it.
Knowing him, he was probably planning what he was having for tea or humming the theme tune to his favourite TV programme while 10,000 others were chewing their fingernails off.
I’m sure the game itself was very exciting to watch with the lead changing hands on numerous occasions.
Widnes were very good and at times during the game, when we were well on top, they found a way to hang in there and stay within touching distance, and then when they got opportunities they invariably took them.
From our perspective we know that we can play a lot better, with ball in hand it was just a little bit too frantic and we need to show a little bit more patience and composure when looking to covert pressure into points.
I was pleased with our defensive efforts for the majority of the game and just a couple of lapses in concentration let us down.
If we can eradicate these from our game then we will give ourselves every chance of winning any rugby match.
Since the game there was a lot of talk that a conversion of Rhys Hanbury’s was waved away and it actually went over, and I must admit that at the time I was of the opinion that the ball went through the uprights, so in that respect we can count ourselves fortunate that we were in a position to win the game late on.
That said there were other decisions in the game that I felt went against us which, when you have worked hard in training all week, and we are giving our all in the game, obviously leads to frustration.
n WITH the Challenge Cup semi-finals this weekend we have the opportunity to rest a few bumps and bruises, especially those guys who played in both England v Exiles games.
They have had a tough few weeks and have been given a few days off to recuperate.
It also gives us an opportunity to address our performances and really focus on areas which we feel we need to improve on both on an individual basis and as a team.
n LAST week, we announced the signing of Hull FC three-quarter Jordan Turner who will be coming to Langtree Park next season with his team mate Willie Manu.
Both are excellent signings and fit the type of player that we like to have at St Helens.
He showed us earlier in the season what he is capable of by running the length of the field to score in our fixture against Hull a few months ago.
Willie is a dynamic back-rower who will add a great deal to our squad.
n FINALLY, I must give credit to the Bradford players and our former coach Mick Potter who despite uncertainty over their futures, have battled on and recorded some excellent victories.
It must be difficult for them and liquidation for the club is now a very real possibility.
I have a lot of admiration for Pottsy and the way he has dealt with these circumstances, the way the Bradford players sprung to his defence after his dismissal shows they think very highly of him also.
There is a chance that Bradford will be able to fulfil their fixtures until the end of the season, but what lies further down the track is anybody’s guess at the moment.
Quote of the Week: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Tommy Makinson
Come on you Saints – Wello
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Weather for St Helens
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South
