I've been reading a few of the posts about the Nines and one consistent element is how pathetic we are at it. I think we're about level with the Police Tea lady's guild or something?

Seems our famous youth production line has once again got stuck. After a period of producing only sparrow legged second rowers we had a spell where we produced only sparrow legged half backs with real talent, but no forwards and no backs and now it seems the whole thing has gone to the dogs.

I believe Nathan Ashe was marched 10m twice in a row for mouthing off, the got sent off by Ganson? Good lad.

As someone who doesn't watch the academies play, are there any genuine hopes in there currently? Any we could see challenge for a first team spot next season?

Ashe did indeed get sin binned (1 minute , it may have been two ) by Ganson, and as he was about to come back onto the field had to be restrained by the touchjudge as there was a fracas with half of the Widnes and Saints team having a scrap.
The stupid thing was that Saints didn't learn their lesson, shortly after that another player player back chatted Ganson twice and he marched Saints back up the field.

Saints had two players who looked useful the number 3 and the number 11 (I believe that was Scott Hale)

Hale's played 1 game for us and I remember he impressed (not amazing or anything) in a poor performance. Seemed to have a bit of zip about his runs.

He actually got penalised 4 times in a row!
He gave the penalty away that he then Back Chatted 3 x times over before he got sin-binned for it.

I thought it was also Ashe who Back chatted twice in a row a little later on but I could be wrong on that as I was in fits of laughter by this point!

I went to the under 9’s competition and it was thoroughly enjoyable and very well attended. I think that most of Wigan’s first team came down to watch along with their Chairman so it was a nice photo opportunity for the Wigan Fans.

The only down side to the evening was our own performance, we came last, this was down to poor discipline and we look ill prepared. We didn’t even win the fight! (In the last match against Widnes)
The other teams (Wigan, Warrington & Widnes) looked well drilled in comparison, I don’t like to be critical but I have watched the reserves over the last few years, especially in the Finals against Wigan, and the coaching has been abysmal. We have a plan A and if that doesn’t work we have no plan B, I have sometimes wondered if the coaches are watching the same match as myself as I have expected a change of tactics after the first half but we have played exactly the same way in the second half even though we were losing.

Wigan won the tournament; they had the players that are out on dual registration playing for them i.e. Mellor, Crosby, and Tomkins who seem to be really benefitting from their time at Widnes.

I personally didn’t think we had any stand out players from the match, but that is not to say that there aren’t any. Is this down to bad coaching, poor preparation (don’t think we have had a reserves match in ages) therefore are they not match fit?

Like the coaching at Saints I don’t think that we have a back up plan when developing our youngster, they either succeed in gaining first team game time through injuries or left languishing in the reserves. Wigan & Warrington have youngster dual registered or out on loan for their development and the benefits of that were truly highlighted last night.

Sheesh, you make it sound so positive. Are we related?

It sounds like we don't take the 9s that seriously.

But what was worse is learning that we lost the fight! Are we a bunch of wusses or wot?

I know it's terrible isn't it. If we had battered them it would have given us some pride and losing all the games wouldn't have mattered. Instead we lose all the games and get Daddied in the fight.

The club from top to bottom needs to man up.

The main talents at Saints in the backs are Josh Jones, Mark Percival and Danny Yates. I really do rate Percival!

Our younger ages have some great talents

Are any of those named likely to make it at Saints? How about playing first team next year, any of those ready for it?

Josh Jones already as a first team jersey despite only just turning 18. Percival could be anything he absolutely destroys every defence he comes up against despite only being slim like a Shenton.

Yates is the best half back in England at that level. Currently Englands 7 for the U18's.

Ian Talbot certainly took it seriously. He stormed up to see the match commissionaire after the Widnes game. Lets just say there appeared to be a heated discussion.

Obviously cheated us then. Further proof of the conspiracy against Saints this season.