Missed most of the first half - FAMILIES Arghhh However when I left Saints were winning 26-24 in a match dominated by 2 exciting half back talents Sam Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond.
A bizarre wind affected match where the wind sometimes was blowing like a gale down from the clubhouse to suddenly blowing side on. Saints probably used it better than Wigan and kicked early to put Wigan back in their own half. Saints led 16-12 at half time v the most inexperienced reserve team we have fielded this season. We played several academy players who for many had not played at this level previously. The try conceded on half time was a poor one, allowing the hooker to dive over from the POTB.
The second half started poorly. Stanton broke clear only to tweak a muscle or something similar. He went off, returning in the last 5 minutes. Saints then added another try to lead 22-12.
Wigan mounted a fabulous fightback and the officials need to take a long hard look at themselves because what happened was nothing short of disgraceful. High shots and grapple tackles were used repeatedly. Howarth who did very well at hooker was king hit twice in succession after passing the ball. Gerrard was similarly taken off the ball after passing. The referee was inept and he was aided in his ineptitude by a teenage Adrian Mole, 7 Saints your offside, 7 Saints your offside, 7 Saints your offside. If you have to keep telling him then wave the flag otherwise you may not exist as they are taking the P out of you. 2 feet behind the line. Why bother, several did not have one behind the line. Tomkins scored 2 class tries. The second he was hit high as he went over for the try. 8 Pter?
Wigan led 24-22 but Eastmond showed his class to create the match winning try. An exhibition of class half back play by two great young players and an example of how dire the future of officiating is under Stuart Cummings.
Reserves lose to Saints.
Re: Reserves lose to Saints.
Think they scored again CP last minute Eastmond again i think and kicked the goal.
Re: Reserves lose to Saints.
They did Jaws. My car was parked in a dodgy position so I made a quick getaway.
32-24 Final score.
32-24 Final score.
Re: Reserves lose to Saints.
Had the pleasure of taking my 6 year old lad to see a game today where players played for pride instead of money.
Kyle Eastmond was outstanding for Saints (think he scored a hat-trick). He had to be special to outshine Sam Tomkins who doesn't deserve to be playing at this level for much longer.
Calderwood scored a brilliant try from nothing in the first half but was a little suspect when put under pressure - especially from kicks (conceding one try and very lucky when Saints knocked on for a second).
Sam Reay was outstanding in the centre, beating the first man every time and looking a constant threat.
Not sure who was playing no. 10 for Wigan as this was the first time I have watched the reserves in a long time, but he put in some tackles that the first team pack should watch and learn from.
Seriously considering Friday nights in the pub from now on and Saturday afternoons watching good rugby.
For those of you who like me are getting bored of Friday night dross, go and watch these lads. I watched them lose, but everybody there saw a team play with pride and clapped them off the pitch despite losing to the Scousers.
P.S. Saints must have been penalised about 12 times for head shots. At one point their coach came down from the back of the stand, leant over the barriers and shouted to his players to try to keep it clean. Soon had my boy leaning over the barriers abusing the Scousers, and he's only 6. Thats My Boy!
Kyle Eastmond was outstanding for Saints (think he scored a hat-trick). He had to be special to outshine Sam Tomkins who doesn't deserve to be playing at this level for much longer.
Calderwood scored a brilliant try from nothing in the first half but was a little suspect when put under pressure - especially from kicks (conceding one try and very lucky when Saints knocked on for a second).
Sam Reay was outstanding in the centre, beating the first man every time and looking a constant threat.
Not sure who was playing no. 10 for Wigan as this was the first time I have watched the reserves in a long time, but he put in some tackles that the first team pack should watch and learn from.
Seriously considering Friday nights in the pub from now on and Saturday afternoons watching good rugby.
For those of you who like me are getting bored of Friday night dross, go and watch these lads. I watched them lose, but everybody there saw a team play with pride and clapped them off the pitch despite losing to the Scousers.
P.S. Saints must have been penalised about 12 times for head shots. At one point their coach came down from the back of the stand, leant over the barriers and shouted to his players to try to keep it clean. Soon had my boy leaning over the barriers abusing the Scousers, and he's only 6. Thats My Boy!
Paul Cullen's eaten my dictionary!
Re: Reserves lose to Saints.
for any 1 that watches reserve team footy who would u say was the better prospect at this stage in their careers eastmond or tompkins, i know it would be hard to say considering you will have seen tompkins alot more than eastmond but i would still like to know your opinion cheers.
Re: Reserves lose to Saints.
I would have to say Eastmond at the moment.
He was the difference between the two teams today. he didn't just create, he backed up at every sniff of a half break. However, gradual introduction to first team rugby which he has been getting is helping his progress which Sam isn't getting at the moment.
One more thing which I've never noticed on the telly - looked at Eastmond today and his legs are like tree trunks. He's built like a brick S***House (look in dictionary next to Ashley Klein). He is physically up to the standard of Super League now.
Wigan should be progressing Sam faster than they are, giving him games off the bench against lesser teams.
He was the difference between the two teams today. he didn't just create, he backed up at every sniff of a half break. However, gradual introduction to first team rugby which he has been getting is helping his progress which Sam isn't getting at the moment.
One more thing which I've never noticed on the telly - looked at Eastmond today and his legs are like tree trunks. He's built like a brick S***House (look in dictionary next to Ashley Klein). He is physically up to the standard of Super League now.
Wigan should be progressing Sam faster than they are, giving him games off the bench against lesser teams.
Paul Cullen's eaten my dictionary!
Re: Reserves lose to Saints.
thanx for that, i just wanted to know, thought the first team experience might of give eastmond the edge, apparently they were the 2 stand out players 1 of them is gettin first team action the other isnt?? is it time we let this guy loose or wot??
Re: Reserves lose to Saints.
Eastmond he is class he has a side step second to none speed and is illusive he is ready now to step into Longys boots.
Re: Reserves lose to Saints.
The question should be why did Saints find him before we did. Eastmond is from Oldham.
At the moment Eastmond is ahead of Tomkins. He has a lovely dip of the shoulder rather than an outrageous step which combined with excellent short distance speed and a veritable compact physique of muscle makes him very difficult to stop when he runs the ball. He has an excellent kicking game. He is confident bordering on cocky/downright arrogant and very determined.
Hence, when people were saying Saints will decline their players are getting old I kept saying no they will not because Anderson has put an awful lot of time and effort into their juniors. That is where Anderson started, he was a schoolteacher and came to Parramatta under Smith developing Juniors.
The best opportunity for Saints to decline is Parramatta sack Michael Hagan and replace him with Daniel Anderson. Anderson then uses his influence to sign Saints players.
Back to Eastmond, I do not think his passing game is special and longer term Tomkins may have the edge in that department.
Yesterday, only Tuson was a regular reserves forward. Had the regular reserves played I think the result might have been different. However, the fact the youngsters had to step up was good as many are coasting in academy rugby.
At the moment Eastmond is ahead of Tomkins. He has a lovely dip of the shoulder rather than an outrageous step which combined with excellent short distance speed and a veritable compact physique of muscle makes him very difficult to stop when he runs the ball. He has an excellent kicking game. He is confident bordering on cocky/downright arrogant and very determined.
Hence, when people were saying Saints will decline their players are getting old I kept saying no they will not because Anderson has put an awful lot of time and effort into their juniors. That is where Anderson started, he was a schoolteacher and came to Parramatta under Smith developing Juniors.
The best opportunity for Saints to decline is Parramatta sack Michael Hagan and replace him with Daniel Anderson. Anderson then uses his influence to sign Saints players.
Back to Eastmond, I do not think his passing game is special and longer term Tomkins may have the edge in that department.
Yesterday, only Tuson was a regular reserves forward. Had the regular reserves played I think the result might have been different. However, the fact the youngsters had to step up was good as many are coasting in academy rugby.
Re: Reserves lose to Saints.
Billy the younger lads are often far more enjoyable to watch. The best games I have seen this season was Wigan Academy v Saints Academy.billyboy wrote:Had the pleasure of taking my 6 year old lad to see a game today where players played for pride instead of money.
Kyle Eastmond was outstanding for Saints (think he scored a hat-trick). He had to be special to outshine Sam Tomkins who doesn't deserve to be playing at this level for much longer.
Calderwood scored a brilliant try from nothing in the first half but was a little suspect when put under pressure - especially from kicks (conceding one try and very lucky when Saints knocked on for a second).
Sam Reay was outstanding in the centre, beating the first man every time and looking a constant threat.
Not sure who was playing no. 10 for Wigan as this was the first time I have watched the reserves in a long time, but he put in some tackles that the first team pack should watch and learn from.
Seriously considering Friday nights in the pub from now on and Saturday afternoons watching good rugby.
For those of you who like me are getting bored of Friday night dross, go and watch these lads. I watched them lose, but everybody there saw a team play with pride and clapped them off the pitch despite losing to the Scousers.
P.S. Saints must have been penalised about 12 times for head shots. At one point their coach came down from the back of the stand, leant over the barriers and shouted to his players to try to keep it clean. Soon had my boy leaning over the barriers abusing the Scousers, and he's only 6. Thats My Boy!