Week 1: That didn't really go as we'd hoped

I'll be honest: I don't know how many we conceded. We scored 2, I believe, one a smart finish by Ray and the other a late strike by Jimmy, but it was scant consolation for a mixed performance. Some of the movement and passing was excellent, but some of the communication mix-ups should have been avoided. That is why we have a pre-season.

Raiders are a good team. They close down hard and fast, with a few challenges that might be considered a little too hard and fast. They have an excellent striker, quick and cool-headed. And they were organised and reasonably disciplined. The Skins were less so on most counts. There is a lot of loosening up, communication practice and refresher playing needed.

There is another friendly in 2 weeks, and hopefully a match next weekend, even if just a 5 a side kick around. Clearly we need to get used to each other again and, as Aaron pointed out, we need to get used to kicking the damn ball around. It really isn't the same as we've been used to in the other forms of the game.

After the game: