Quote: Rogues Gallery "It was great game, and one that could have gone either way.
I'm looking forward to the U20's starting, and don't think we'll have it as easy this this year.
I don't particularly like the non-competitive U18's set up though.
It'll be interesting to see how the U15 and U16 comps go.'"
So the u18's is "non-competitive"? I saw the reduced fixture list and was hoping that it was due to the results from those games producing some kind of seeding for a further split competition. With the move to u20's I would have liked to see an equivalent u17's comp with perhaps a restriction with any players eligible for that age group not being allowed to play for the u20's any week when the u17's play. Thus ensuring the u17's becomes a competitive, high quality age group.
Really looking forward to the u20's. Not sure Warrington have what it takes in depth at that age group to have a chance of winning it. I fancy Warrington's best would fit into the u18's (and in truth my re-jigged u17's comp above). Tips for big seasons for Warrington below first grade from me are Rhys Evans (goes without saying that the "Great White Hope" gets a mention) and Ryan Shaw in the backs - both of whom could play some first grade later in the year and possibly Ben Evans in the pack. It will be interesting to see if James Lethwaite can step on, I was suprised to discover how young he actually was last year whilst our wildcard this year will be the young stand-off over here on scholarship from Brisbane who looks to be a big lad for his age (wonder if he has a Nigerian passport).
Also worth noting Warrington have scheduled 6 u20 games as curtain-raisers to the first team on a Sunday. I'm not a fan of this (purely selfish reasons) as I like Wilderspool on a Saturday afternoon.
Not really up on the u15's or u16's and how they are organised. I know Warrington have tended to do quite well with their Service Area teams recently.
Going back to one of "our" old chest-nuts I don't think you can question how many players Warrington's Academy has produced if you watched Leigh v Barrow last night. It was like a meeting of our Past Player's Society - might not been the best players which is why I always advocate that it is the production of quality not quantity, or trophies, matters at Academy level.