Yesterdays U19 Grand Final : Mon Sep 26, 2016 1:07 pm  

What a fantastic game of Rugby League. Thirty-four players who gave everything for their respective sides, in a game that went to golden point extra time, Saints winning with a penalty 22 - 20.
The Saints side have gone through the season unbeaten, so probably on the strength of that deserved their win, but a young Wigan side (seven first years) gave them a fright and two missed conversions cost them the spoils.

Sadly there are not enough games of that level of intensity throughout the season, and something needs to be done. I've argued for years, since Hetherington got his way that there should be U15 then u16 then u18 as separate groups and then onto a combined U20/reserve grade.

As I said credit to both teams for a great spectacle that kept both sets of fans on the edge of their seats for 80+ minutes.

Re: Yesterdays U19 Grand Final : Mon Sep 26, 2016 2:06 pm  

Couldn't agree more, the lads played out of their skins, and credit for never giving up, even when 8 behind with about 3 minutes left. Have to admit, though, that saints probably deserved the win, I was expecting a fairly easy win for them, and our lads did brilliantly to make it such a close and exciting game against all the odds.

Re: Yesterdays U19 Grand Final : Mon Sep 26, 2016 4:03 pm  

Surprised Rogues YG hasn't picked holes in your comments about the game!

Re: Yesterdays U19 Grand Final : Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:29 pm  

I fully expected a thumping and I think the team can be very proud of the efforts. By the sounds of it we've got a pretty young team playing at that level do it should continue to improve.

Who's the stand outs Rogues? We could do with some outside backs to really force their way through now as we look pretty strong in most other areas.

Re: Yesterdays U19 Grand Final : Mon Sep 26, 2016 9:15 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I fully expected a thumping and I think the team can be very proud of the efforts. By the sounds of it we've got a pretty young team playing at that level do it should continue to improve.

Who's the stand outs Rogues? We could do with some outside backs to really force their way through now as we look pretty strong in most other areas.

Every player gave their all and as a speccie you ask no more.
Top 3 IMO.
Kyle Shelford. Considering he has been out so long his effort and commitment was outstanding. He must have been out on his feet but just kept going and going and going. I don't know if he's ever going to be big enough but he is a natural leader and his desire to be "the best he can" defies belief. Those leadership qualities will stand him good not just in RL but in life itself.

Craig Mullen. Normally a halfback but played at #1, he defended like a trojan and ran the ball out superbly.

James Worthington. Normally a fullback but being a 1st year played on the wing. I think you'll hear a lot more about him in the years to come.

Also mentions to Tom Davies who is coming along nicely and Jack Wells who I think will be challenging for a 1st team place again next year (if the Aussies don't come and get him)

Re: Yesterdays U19 Grand Final : Wed Sep 28, 2016 8:17 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Jack Wells who I think will be challenging for a 1st team place again next year (if the Aussies don't come and get him)

England academy's best player on tour by a long way. He has been mentioned over here.

Re: Yesterdays U19 Grand Final : Wed Sep 28, 2016 1:22 pm  

A great game I expected a big beating as Saints had been unbeaten all season and we had key players out, no recognised hooker for one. Jack Wells is one I'm looking forward to seeing progress. What I did find perplexing is that we had three interchanges left, one of which was Jack Wells.

Re: Yesterdays U19 Grand Final : Wed Sep 28, 2016 5:01 pm  

green machine wrote:

A great game I expected a big beating as Saints had been unbeaten all season and we had key players out, no recognised hooker for one. Jack Wells is one I'm looking forward to seeing progress. What I did find perplexing is that we had three interchanges left, one of which was Jack Wells.

I find that worrying from a first team point of view as he's in the squad for Friday. It could be that they held him back as somebody is doubtful for Friday and it's a short turnaround from that u19's game to the first team.

Here's hoping that's not the case. We cannot afford another injury between now and when our season ends.