A widnes lad who is a star of the future!

But a star for whom? I would imagine now that Widnes are in the Superleague, he will want to play for his home town club.

I doubt that, it may have some pull, but like Wilkin the draw of playing for a top team and challenging for trophies is much greater

How did the U15's get on and did Hewitt play well?

The U15's won easy 34 - 4 or something like that. Hewitt played very well but M.O.M went to Adam Saunders again who scored 2 to follow up on his hat trick last week.

As for Mark going back Widnes. Not likely as he signed a 3 year proffesional deal last season and will be touring Australia with Saints in October.

Link to the U15s & U16s reports on the Saints OS. www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/872?

Link to the U15s & U16s reports on the Saints OS. www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/872?

Went and watched the u'15 saints scholarships play it was an unlucky score for saints as it was 30 - 24 to leeds but the player who stood out for me and been watching him in all the scholarship games he is one of the top try scorers and he played a M.O.M performance and that was Deon Cross he is a great talant.

I'm looking forward to seeing the U15 and U16 Wigan v Saints games this weekend.
Wigan are unbeaten at both levels but in truth have not been tested.
The U16's are averaging scores of 68 - 8 in their games, whilst the U15 are averaging 45 - 8 in theirs.

Here's hoping for a better competition this weekend, those sorts of scores do nothing for teams (either Wigan or their opponents)

Where and when are the games being played Rogues?

Calm down Mrs Hewitt, your son will be fine.

Ince Rose Bridge on Saturday.

U15's kick off at 11:45 and U16's at 1 p.m.

Just a word of warning, the kick off times sometimes get changed. If they do (and I hear about it) I'll post the amended times on here.

Both games should be well worth watching.

I've heard lots of good things about him and it's one of the reasons I'm looking forward to Saturday. His Wigan opposite number (stand off) Jake Shorrocks is also a very good player.

At U16 for Wigan Jason Robinsons son Lewis Tierney is a very good fullback and goal kicker, and Ryan Hampshire at stand off is an outstanding talent.

Kick off times confirmed.
[urlhttp://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.aspx?id=6084&type=1[/url

Under 15's Wigan 34 - 12 Saints

Under 16's Wigan 28 - 24 Saints

Wigan's under 15's and 16's finish season unbeaten.

They wouldn't if they had played Leeds U16's. Their pack is huge!!!!!!!

Wigan's 16s would be a match for any team in the country.

Very mobile pack and a great set of halves and they have the pace to finish on both wings too.

Impressive set of kids.

Watching Saints play Wigan and Saints play Leeds..
Leeds would, i belive, leave wigan in pieces.

I watched the first two games but couldnt get to the others. I thought the under15s were good enough going forward but it was there defence that let them down. They need to work on that if they are going to be a force at there age.

I watched Saints first team v Wire and then Quins.

I thought Quins were better. Can't say what would have happened.

There were a lot of teams the Wigan lads played that were clearly not up to scratch, maybe the RFL should look at getting the top scholarship teams to play off at the end of the season.

Lancs comp and Yorks comp and top two in each make the semi's?

Well said.
I watched four of the six U15 and U16 Wigan games. Apart from the U16 game v Saints the rest weren't contests.
I've been arguing about the levels of academy/junior rugby for years, and something has to be done about it.

What I don't know. I've sunk a million beers (slight exaggeration) with friends and foes alike trying to find the answer.

I've often wondered if the Uni's could not be dragged into this, a bit like the universities in America. Some kind of scheme part funded by the RFL, could help with game expansion and a higher intensity wider spread competition. The uni's have all the sports science stuff already in place.

Agreed, it would certainly help in bringing players through. Some which develop later and may not have gotten the chance.

That's an excellent point.
Over in Aus the better kids are identified at an early age and put into what are basically sports colleges.

Where Saints are concerned, they used to link up with Edge Hill, using their facilities. And Edge Hill already play in the Super 8 comp; they did well last season. So they already have an interest in RL. Your idea is a good one. Why not write to Saints about it? G'won! I dare ya!