I don't make excuses like forward passes, obstructions etc, that's more your style.
This very young U20 side has still done o.k. this season losing a close game v Hull and winning the other three comfortably, however with eight players on dual registration it is always going to be difficult for them, but they'll make the play offs and that will be a very good achievement. There is also a strong rumour that at least one more will be on loan to another superleague club very soon.

Last year they were an exceptional group, probably the best I have ever seen at that age, ask some of your more reasoned fans. Some clubs will profit from it as we can't keep them all.

Something has to be done (I'm on my hobby horse again) about the academy game, some clubs appear to be paying lip service to their junior development. I saw Wigan U18's beat Salford 76 -4 on Saturday and Wigan U20 beat Leeds 54 - 0 a couple of weeks ago. What good does that do?

Carry on beating us men? You've won once in the last 3 attempts.

or near enough.....a couple come from us at Northampton (plus one currently on loan at Sheffield but he didn't come via us) and a few from Hemel. If you're north enough, I suppose all that counts as "London" though No northerners there AFAIK though.

Now that Wigan are somehow top of SL (until the rest of SL wake up), I wonder if Rogues and Mini me, will still ejaculate as much, about the u20's championship should they win it.

I was very surprised at our U20 and U18 results today, pleasantly surprised.

what score did it end up, and before you say i should be there just got back from london.



.

In under 20s we were mullered by the Pies.

Quite a few of wigan's players who are out on loan played for their under 20's tonight. Wigan wouldn't let them play for their loan clubs so that they would not be cuptied. Veivers, Marsh and co. played tonight.

As you have pointed out previously, the U20s and 18s are a joke, beating Salford and Leeds by big scores does little to enhance the development of either team.

In Oz there is the Queensland Cup competition, which is far and away more competative and prepares players for the senior grade in a more demanding environment.

Until the RL stop allowing Clubs like Wigan and Saints to loan players out, the situation will not be resolved, what incentive is there to clubs to develope their own talent when they can sign fringe players from other clubs, (I think I read that Wigan have 6/7 players on loan), yes, it does help the individuals to become better players in a more challenging environment by going on loan, but that is just bypassing the real problem which is a very uncompetative and lopsided U20 and 18s system.

I've just seen the teams
Only two of the loaned players, Vievers and Marsh played. Ten of that Wigan team still qualify at U18 level.


That's why I was surprised at the scores, and similarly with the U18's of whom the majority were first year 16 year olds.

You still had Karl Pryce, who was bigger, stronger and older than any of the Saints players

You are allowed three overage players.
I didn't go as I was at Sheffield.

Was Pryce the difference between the two sides?