making my 250th appearance for the club, Houghton said.I didnt realise I had played so many ga

Mission Accomplished! My, how the worm turns. Go back approximately two weeks and there was much consternation in Winnipeg about head coach Tim Burke not playing his starters enough during the preseason and getting embarrassingly outscored in the two contests "a lot to a little." Follow that up with a disappointing home-opening and stadium-opening loss featuring a sputtering offence that insisted on giving the ball away, and questions continued to pour in about the faltering Blue Bombers. Fast forward to the present and the Bombers are sitting at 1-1 after a bone-crunching performance by their defence on the road at Percival Molson Stadium; a defence that swarmed all over what appeared to be a shell-shocked and ill-prepared Alouettes team. Seven times the "Bomb Squad" got to their target, Anthony Calvillo, bringing their total number of kills to 11 on the season (all on Calvillo.) Heres a statistic that may help bring things into perspective on how stifling the "Blue Swarm" was on Thursday evening: the Als only ran 47 offensive plays through 60 minutes of football; seven of which resulted in a total loss of 37 yards. Thats less than 12 plays a quarter, which is typically one good drive for the once dangerous offence; just 122 yards net offence; and only 2.6 average yards per play. But wait a minute; it gets even scarier on (20) second down plays: the "Black and Blue Bunch" held Montreal to 28 yards TOTAL! Thats 1.2 yards per play. Ouch! No wonder AC was so upset! He was frustrated and taken off his game in rare fashion. In fact, thats the most hes been sacked in one game in the last five seasons. Its not often you see the record-setting, even-keeled, stoic, legendary quarterback so discombobulated. But when you do see it happen, its the same song and dance, same tune being sung and same blue print applied: relentless pressure and a constant attack on where AC sets up shop, seven yards straight behind the center! The mission was planned, the assault was flawless and the target was terminated. While the "Blue Storm Defence" was on its game, showing you how destructive and effective a defensive unit can be when working together, the offence still has some work to do! Too many times the ball was given to the opposition, making the performance of the "Flying Muambas" even more impressive. Four turnovers on offence and another on special teams and the "Terminators" had to deal with what defenses call "sudden change;" when the ball is turned over and suddenly they find themselves back in action! They were up to the challenge however, holding AC and company to only four points. Two weeks in a row the Bombers have lost the turnover battle (5-1 in Week 1 and 5-3 in Week 2). Winning the turnover battle is usually a telltale sign how a team is performing. Often its the one stat that decides who wins and loses, but it may not matter with the kind of defensive performance we saw against Montreal the other night.If the Bombers can clean up their act offensively and limit the turnovers, watch out. Why? Ill tell you why. I can say this with extreme confidence: defences CAN determine the outcome of a football game by cranking up their intensity and bringing wave after wave of relentless pressure. I remember being sacked 10 times in the 86 Grey Cup by a vicious Hamilton Tiger-Cats defence that dominated the line of scrimmage en route to a Grey Cup Championship. After the game I basically went straight to the hospital and had both my knee and elbow operated on, all from the bombardment of an overpowering defence. Defences do win championships and the effort we saw the other night, by whatever you want to call the men on that side of the ball for the Bombers, was of championship caliber and intensity. Just ask AC! Air Max Scontate Donne . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Vapormax Plus Blu . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. http://www.airmaxshopitalia.it/air-max-97-prezzi-bassi.html . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. Air Max 97 Donna Scontate . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. Uomo Nike Air Force 270 Corte Viola . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th.Wakefield and Catalans kick off day two of the 10th Magic Weekend before Huddersfield take on St Helens. The final action at St James Park will see Hull FC and Hull KR dual for the city’s bragging rights. Wakefield v Catalan DragonsWakefield are fresh off the back of toppling league leaders Warrington and will be boosted by the news that skipper Danny Kirmond has signed a new two-year contract with the club. Chris Chester makes just one change to the side that ran out in Round 14 as Stuart Howarth returns to the squad after his time out injured and Anthony England drops out due to suspension.Max Jowitt knows the scale of the challenge thats ahead of his side but is confident theyre ready after a productive training week.Theyre really strong through the middle and to be fair theyve got a lot of strike around the edges as well. But, its nothing that we cant handle, Jowitt said.So were going to come out and put in a good performance for our fans and especially for ourselves.Catalans Dragons head coach Lauren Frayssinous is still having to contend with numerous injuries and the news this week that Richie Myler will be out for six weeks wasnt ideal. But, with nine wins in their last 10 matches theyre battling on well.Frayssinous welcomes back Dave Taylor and Jason Baitieri from suspension and young U19 hooker Alrix Da Costa is also set to make his return. Wakefields Max Jowitt & Catalans Morgan Escare look ahead to Sundays Magic showdown Looking ahead to the game Morgan Escare is aware of how confident Wakefield will be and knows home country advantage will be their opponents.Wakefield are a good team; theyve won quite a lot of matches. I think that Sunday is going to be a difficult game, said Escare. There are going to be a lot of Wakefield supporters and maybe only a few for Catalans but I hope that we are going to win and its going to be a good game.Both sides have lost just one of their last six First Utility Super League matches and head into the 2016 Magic Weekend on form.Wakefield: Scott Anderson, Chris Annakin, Tinirau Arona, Joe Arundel, Matty Ashurst, Jordan Crowther, Liam Finn, Craig Hall, Stuart Howarth, Tom Johnstone, Ben Jones-Bishop, Max Jowitt, Danny Kirmond, Jacob Miller, Nick Scruton, Mickael Simon, Mikey Sio, Anthony Tupou, Bill TupouCatalans: Lucas Albert, Louis Anderson, Jason Baitieri, Thomas Bosc, Julian Bousquet, Jodie Broughton, Todd Carney, Rémi Casty, Alrix Da Costa, Vincent Duport, Tony Gigot, Justin Horo, Antoni Maria, Willie Mason, Greg Mounis, Eloi Pelissier, Pat Richards, Glenn Stewart, Dave TaylorSt Helens v HuddersfieldGiants coach Paul Anderson has made two changes to the squad that lost to Catalans Dragons in Perpignan last week, with Scott Grix making his return to the side and new signing Sebastine Ikahihifo also coming into the fold. Tyler Dickinson and Sam Wood miss out.Saints have named a strong side with Jordan Turner, Shannon McDonnell and Calvin Wellington all called up. Dom Peyroux and Mark Percival miss out with knocks suffered in the win over Salford. Lama Tasi believes his side are in with a chance to push on for the League Leaders Shield, and is looking forward to taking the field on Sunday.The league is tight, said Tasi. We could be sat top in the next month or so and that is our aim. We have to concentrate, do what is best and play our footy. There arent any easy games.Sunday should be a good game. Most of the Giants players are back on deck and they play some good footy. They should have beaten Catalan probably too.Im looking forward to playing in that stadium an atmosphere. KKeiron Cunninghams side have won four of their last six Super League fixtures The Saints man is happy with his own form but insists his focus remains on the team and the direction set out by coach Keiron Cunningham.ddddddddddddI am still learning heaps and want to keep it up. I prefer to start matches but whatever KC thinks is best for the team I will do. I just want to contribute what I can to the team.The fans are fanatical here and ruthless in a way too! Without them the game wouldnt be what it is.St Helens: Kyle Amor, Jack Ashworth, Matty Dawson, Theo Fages, Morgan Knowles, Jonny Lomax, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Shannon McDonnell, Jack Owens, James Roby, Andre Savelio, Adam Swift, Lama Tasi, Jordan Turner, Atelea Vea, Alex Walmsley, Luke Walsh, Calvin Wellington, Jon Wilkin.Huddersfield Giants: Ryan Brierley, Danny Brough, Jake Connor, Eorl Crabtree, Leroy Cudjoe, Jamie Ellis, Scott Grix, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Josh Johnson, Michael Lawrence, Nathan Mason, Jermaine McGillvary, Aaron Murphy, Sam Rapira, Oliver Roberts, Ukuma Taai, Joe Wardle, Kyle Wood.Hull FC v Hull KRHull KR head coach James Webster has named captain Terry Campese in his 19-man squad for Sundays derby against Hull FC.The skipper has been out of action with a hamstring injury since his sides victory over Leeds Rhinos at the beginning of April, but is in contention to face the Black and Whites in Newcastle this weekend. Webster has made two other changes to his squad for Sunday, with the experienced Chris Clarkson and Iain Thornley also returning to the side, while John Boudebza, Robbie Mulhern and Kieran Moran make way to accommodate the trio.Meanwhile Frank Pritchard returns to the Hull FC squad for the encounter after serving his one-match suspension for a high tackle in his sides match against the Dragons earlier in the month.The Black and Whites also welcome back Carlos Tuimavave, who had previously been sidelined for six weeks with a groin injury.Curtis Naughton comes back into the side after missing last weeks win against Wigan Warriors, with Steve Michaels dropping out of proceedings. Hull FCs Gareth Ellis and Hull KRs Shaun Lunt preview the derby between the local rivals on Magic Weekend Danny Houghton will make his 250th appearance for Hull FC when he takes the field.Im really honoured to be making my 250th appearance for the club, Houghton said.I didnt realise I had played so many games up until a few weeks ago. For it to fall on the Magic Weekend makes it extra special. Magic Weekend Derbies are massive games for me regardless.To play 250 times for a club I grew up watching and supporting is special. I never thought Id achieve something like that. Its a great milestone for myself and a bit of a shock that Ive played so many times.Hopefully we can get a special win to match.Hull FC: Josh Bowden, Gareth Ellis, Mahe Fonua, Chris Green, Danny Houghton, Sika Manu, Mark Minichiello, Curtis Naughton, Frank Pritchard, Leon Pryce, Jamie Shaul, Marc Sneyd, Fetuli Talanoa, Scott Taylor, Jordan Thompson, Carlos Tuimavave, Danny Washbrook, Liam Watts, Kirk Yeaman.Hull KR: Mitch Allgood, Maurice Blair, Terry Campese, Chris Clarkson, Ben Cockayne, James Donaldson, James Green, James Greenwood, Graeme Horne, Albert Kelly, George Lawler, Shaun Lunt, Matty Marsh, Thomas Minns, Ken Sio, Iain Thornley, Dane Tilse, Adam Walker, Joe Wardill.Watch the Magic Weekend live on Sky Sports 3 HD on Saturday and Sky Sports 1 HD on Sunday. Or watch the game without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV. Also See: When is Magic Weekend on Sky? Phil Clarke on Magic Weekend Top 10 Magic Moments Follow @SkySportsRL ' ' '