Ward: Eagles spirits high after Halifax loss

05/02/2020

Eagles hooker Robbie Ward says the squad still has a positive atmosphere despite the last-minute defeat to Halifax.

Ward, who scored on debut for the Red and Golds at The Shay, admitted the squad’s game management could have been better in the final quarter as the hosts launched their comeback.

However, this is something that has been addressed since the loss and all eyes are now on the clash with Leigh this Saturday.

“We are still in high spirits and we know that it’s one that got away from us really,” Ward said.

“We know who the better team were and that we should have put the game to bed.

“I think our pack were strong in the middle while the backs linked up well.

"We ran strongly and defended well till the last ten minutes when they got that momentum.

“We needed to close the game out rather than letting them back into it.

“We rushed a few of our last tackle plays, they got the ball further up the pitch and we gave away cheap possession.

“Game management is certainly something we will be working on, it’s something we have already spoken about and will look to put right.”

With another tough test on the horizon against the Centurions, Ward is not fazed by one of the division's expected front-runners.

“They have recruited well and have looked good in the friendlies as well as the game against Dewsbury last Friday,” he added.

“We will certainly be looking to knock them off on Saturday.

“We won’t be looking at the negatives (from the Halifax game) too much, there’s no point beating ourselves up about it.

“We will look at the good stuff, try to get rid of the negatives and aim to get one over on Leigh.

“It would be massive (to get a big performance). We want to win and we need to as we have a tough start to the year and want to be up there in the mix for the top five.”

By Dan Fowler, photo by Alex Coleman