Thunder steeled for tough challenge

Jul 3 2009 by Nick Purewal, The Journal

“We are going there to win, there is no doubt about that, and we need to be getting points from all of our games now.

“It is tough being at the wrong end of the table, but there are two ways to approach that – either turn in and let it get on top of you, or get on with it and start winning games.

“So far we have done not too badly in the last two weeks, but there is still a long way to go and a lot of rugby to be played.

“We will need to put points on the board when we have the momentum – we managed that on Sunday and that just about saw us through.

“What we did not do well enough in the second half was hold Halifax out enough when they were on top and the momentum was with them.

“We defended very well in the first half and kept them out, but then after the break we dropped off and suffered the consequences.

“We must be better in that respect on Sunday, because it is all about staying in the arm wrestle.

“There are always going to be periods of time in a game where you don’t have control and you are under pressure, and those are the times when the defence really has to step up.”