anyone know how it went on?
u21s
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Nicola#Warriors
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 3:39 pm
u21s
couldn't go today
anyone know how it went on?
anyone know how it went on?
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Nicola#Warriors
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 3:39 pm
Re: u21s
oh no!
how did sam tomkins play?
how did sam tomkins play?
Re: u21s
To be the best team week in week out and be beaten by sheer fatigue was the fate of a U21s team that epitomise many of the finest aspects of sport. Shame on several Wigan spectators who stood, maybe unknowingly, in earshot of U18 players and vociferously berated the U21 players for ‘throwing’ the game away and/or not trying. How is it that people turn up week in week out yet seemingly know absolutely nothing about the sport they profess to follow.
The U21s were up against it from the start. Loose forward / hooker Gary Sykes was forced to play centre whilst the substitutes bench contained the Wigan RLFC mental agility/motivation coach. Indeed, the only recognised player amongst the reserves was Neil Holland. Leeds fielded a strong team with Thackrey who has represented GB in the second row and Ryan Hall with several first team appearances in the back line.
Sadly with more experience, Wigan’s U21s could have won this game. Wigan initially seemed content on committing suicide. Pushing offloads in their own 20 led to knock ons by Tuson and O’Carrol in the first 5 minutes. Leeds were given the initiative and took full advantage to storm into a 10-0 lead with 2 well taken tries. Wigan proceeded to settle down and play for field position and territory. It became increasingly apparent that if Wigan played sensible low risk error free rugby that Leeds would hand them the platform to win the match. Leeds were determined to run Wigan off their feet with intricate razzle dazzle rugby which started to prove their own downfall. Solid tackling and rising errors from Leeds saw Wigan fight their way back into the game.
Mickey MclLorum scored a tremendous solo try from 15 yards out and then added a second from a very well worked scissors move with Kavanagh. Leading 12-10, Wigan took control of the game. O’Carrol stormed onto a crash ball from Coyle to power his way over and then Coyle scythed his way through on a diagonal show and go. 24-10 up, Wigan had this game for the taking. Unfortunately, youthful exuberance leads to over confidence. Instead of playing completion / field position and kicking dead to slow the game down, Wigan started to play razzle dazzle which was simply not called for given he score BUT more importantly the lack of fit energetic players available. Sam Tomkins rashly went for a chip over on the last tackle. The Leeds No 8 proceeded to take the kick on the full and ran 50 yards upfield to score under the sticks. Leeds had pulled the score back to 16-24 as the half time hooter sounded.
The second half saw Wigan fall into the trap of trying to match the expansive game that Leeds were trying to employ. There was simply no need to. Leeds would have made the mistakes for Wigan to score all the points they required. Obtaining repeat sets would have led to tries. Nobody needed to score from the first sets. Obtaining repeat sets should have been the goal and then the scoreboard would have looked after itself. Indeed, the second half started well. Tuson scooted from a scrum and to the amazement of all went 30 yards + with Leeds unable to lay a hand on him. Stanton inexplicably missed the conversion. However, Wigan led 28-16 and Leeds were now struggling to find the motivation to fight for a GF place.
Coyle made 3 or 4 great half breaks. Unfortunately, Wigan proceeded to make the wrong decisions on the last tackle option and instead of building pressure were starting to match Leeds error for error and thus giving Leeds opportunities to get back into the game. A Leeds try saw them pull the score back to 22-28 before Leeds then scored but missed the conversion to only trail by 2 points. The last 10 minutes were simply soul destroying as the Wigan team ran out of gas and Leeds cut them to pieces and took a 38-28 lead with 2 more tries. Wigan gained a late consolation from Sykes but the game had gone. To a man these youngsters had given all that they had and simply ran out of steam. Yes, they could have been smarter but nobody can ever fault them for their desire and determination.
The match saw two outstanding efforts from players who have probably reached the peak of their careers. Sam Reay and Chris Tuson for me have been the joint U21 players of the season. Neither is blessed with sublime natural talent but both have hearts the size of dustbin lids. Both players never lie down and never complain. They play wherever asked and week in week out do the unglamorous hard stuff and never give anything less than their best. Any lower division coach looking for two consummate professionals should look no further.
My own personal opinion is that the club erred by not prioritising one or the other as regards the U18s and U21s. With playing resources stretched, one team should have been sacrificed to strengthen the other and at least give one team the chance of some silverware. However, the reality is that player development is the most important facet of academy rugby league.
The U21s deserved more though IMO
The U21s were up against it from the start. Loose forward / hooker Gary Sykes was forced to play centre whilst the substitutes bench contained the Wigan RLFC mental agility/motivation coach. Indeed, the only recognised player amongst the reserves was Neil Holland. Leeds fielded a strong team with Thackrey who has represented GB in the second row and Ryan Hall with several first team appearances in the back line.
Sadly with more experience, Wigan’s U21s could have won this game. Wigan initially seemed content on committing suicide. Pushing offloads in their own 20 led to knock ons by Tuson and O’Carrol in the first 5 minutes. Leeds were given the initiative and took full advantage to storm into a 10-0 lead with 2 well taken tries. Wigan proceeded to settle down and play for field position and territory. It became increasingly apparent that if Wigan played sensible low risk error free rugby that Leeds would hand them the platform to win the match. Leeds were determined to run Wigan off their feet with intricate razzle dazzle rugby which started to prove their own downfall. Solid tackling and rising errors from Leeds saw Wigan fight their way back into the game.
Mickey MclLorum scored a tremendous solo try from 15 yards out and then added a second from a very well worked scissors move with Kavanagh. Leading 12-10, Wigan took control of the game. O’Carrol stormed onto a crash ball from Coyle to power his way over and then Coyle scythed his way through on a diagonal show and go. 24-10 up, Wigan had this game for the taking. Unfortunately, youthful exuberance leads to over confidence. Instead of playing completion / field position and kicking dead to slow the game down, Wigan started to play razzle dazzle which was simply not called for given he score BUT more importantly the lack of fit energetic players available. Sam Tomkins rashly went for a chip over on the last tackle. The Leeds No 8 proceeded to take the kick on the full and ran 50 yards upfield to score under the sticks. Leeds had pulled the score back to 16-24 as the half time hooter sounded.
The second half saw Wigan fall into the trap of trying to match the expansive game that Leeds were trying to employ. There was simply no need to. Leeds would have made the mistakes for Wigan to score all the points they required. Obtaining repeat sets would have led to tries. Nobody needed to score from the first sets. Obtaining repeat sets should have been the goal and then the scoreboard would have looked after itself. Indeed, the second half started well. Tuson scooted from a scrum and to the amazement of all went 30 yards + with Leeds unable to lay a hand on him. Stanton inexplicably missed the conversion. However, Wigan led 28-16 and Leeds were now struggling to find the motivation to fight for a GF place.
Coyle made 3 or 4 great half breaks. Unfortunately, Wigan proceeded to make the wrong decisions on the last tackle option and instead of building pressure were starting to match Leeds error for error and thus giving Leeds opportunities to get back into the game. A Leeds try saw them pull the score back to 22-28 before Leeds then scored but missed the conversion to only trail by 2 points. The last 10 minutes were simply soul destroying as the Wigan team ran out of gas and Leeds cut them to pieces and took a 38-28 lead with 2 more tries. Wigan gained a late consolation from Sykes but the game had gone. To a man these youngsters had given all that they had and simply ran out of steam. Yes, they could have been smarter but nobody can ever fault them for their desire and determination.
The match saw two outstanding efforts from players who have probably reached the peak of their careers. Sam Reay and Chris Tuson for me have been the joint U21 players of the season. Neither is blessed with sublime natural talent but both have hearts the size of dustbin lids. Both players never lie down and never complain. They play wherever asked and week in week out do the unglamorous hard stuff and never give anything less than their best. Any lower division coach looking for two consummate professionals should look no further.
My own personal opinion is that the club erred by not prioritising one or the other as regards the U18s and U21s. With playing resources stretched, one team should have been sacrificed to strengthen the other and at least give one team the chance of some silverware. However, the reality is that player development is the most important facet of academy rugby league.
The U21s deserved more though IMO
Re: u21s
Jamie Thakary was out there for Leeds, he looked way out o fhis depth! and un fit. No wonder they've stook him in the U21s
Calderwood on crutches but no plaster which is good, a lot of the leeds conections were there, maybe he was told to go round with crutches on.. who knows.
O'carroll and Mcllourm shone so did Hill, i think one of these is likey to feature in the Leeds clash, i'd say Mcllourm and O'carroll will, if calderwoods out does this mean Goulding on the wing?
but i spose we'll cross that bridge IF we come to it.
oh yeh and does anyone know what Joel Tomkins does? has he moved clubs?
Calderwood on crutches but no plaster which is good, a lot of the leeds conections were there, maybe he was told to go round with crutches on.. who knows.
O'carroll and Mcllourm shone so did Hill, i think one of these is likey to feature in the Leeds clash, i'd say Mcllourm and O'carroll will, if calderwoods out does this mean Goulding on the wing?
but i spose we'll cross that bridge IF we come to it.
oh yeh and does anyone know what Joel Tomkins does? has he moved clubs?
To be the best
you have to beat the best
you have to beat the best
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Nicola#Warriors
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 3:39 pm
Re: u21s
didn't he go to widnes?[/quote]chrisJJ posted:
oh yeh and does anyone know what Joel Tomkins does? has he moved clubs?
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vikingstorm
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2004 5:05 pm
Re: u21s
Joel Tompkins is indeed at Widnes, although I dont expect it to be a long term arrangement. Here is an outstanding Young Chap surely destined for Great Honours in the Game. I rate him as highly as Sam Burgess, at the Bulls.
I was mighhtily impressed with Hansens tacking by the way also. Here is aNOTHER lAD COMING OF AGE
I was mighhtily impressed with Hansens tacking by the way also. Here is aNOTHER lAD COMING OF AGE