Is that because the sodden ground absorbs some of the energy from the ball ?

Sykes had a good game and his goalkicking in the conditions was excellent. London handled the conditions better than we did in the first half but it's a win and Sykes played his part.

Whatever you say about Sykes he does work well with Smith!

Sykes played well as he has for most of the season.



He is and always will be an undervalued player by some - why? Who know who cares.

Wouldnt mind Sykes going into the centres for now. I know he is not the answer long term but he has played in the outside backs for most of his career, and he is the nearest thing he have to a centre right now for me. Our lack of proper centres i think blunts our attack a lot of the time as we have 2 back rowers playing there. The injuries to Collis and to an extent Ali have really hurt our attacking game out wide this season.

When Smithy did the face ball to Owen you can tell he was shocked because since our injuries of Ali and Collis we dont really use our outside backs often.

That's what we assumed but the amount of strapping he took off during the first few minutes suggested an injury. All in all he did well given the conditions

Wallshaw is a proper centre - give him time to learn his trade

Thought Sykes played well and his goalkicking eased the pressure in the final quarter. Only moan would be the kick offs. Kick off hard and low and give the ball a chance to skid about in those conditions.

You can keep saying it Vasty and I agree he plays that position and runs the ball well but he can't pass to his winger. Its been highlighted in a couple of certain try situations now.

I hope it's confidence but if it's ability I don't think he'll get it with time.

Agree totally KSC,got sick of hearing myself screaming to kick off hard and low,when he did,we got the ball back........Simples....

That's how you see it but IMO you're wrong. At what point was passing out wide a sensible option, heck lack of safe play was what we were moaning about. It's not confidence or ability it's building an understanding with your winger and more experience - how good do you reckon Collis was at this point in his career?



If you watch Riley closely he continually cuts inside to soon or over runs the pass, Owen is yet to find his feet thus Wallshaw is yet to find that partnership.



Wallshaws defines is way above that of any of our other backs and some of our forwards. He also manages to punch holes in the defence with the very little space he is given. He is far more robust than Collis.



You truly amaze me, your ready to bin a good British prospect in a position he's doing well at because he's not yet the finished article - yet you defend Mathers, Harry S and Sammutt at FB to the hilt. Tell you now Wallshaw has been far better at Centre than Sammutt will ever be at FB.



Are you being contrary for the sake of it? Trust me It's a tacky stance to take, I've been there (still am I think).

Wouldn't be upset with Sykes in the centres along with Walshaw and a backrow of Ryan, Kirmond and either Smith or Tautai at loose. Then two props on on bench. Should give us plenty of strike power and go forward.

As long as we continue to have no depth in our attacking line, receive the ball on a standing start and play the ball slow we are peeing into the wind. As the saying goes.

Walshaw passed once last night but not with any great skill. This is an important part of any centres play, I agree he is big enough but will only develop as a centre with a passing game. I note you refer to Reilly he is an experienced wing and I think he is aware of Walshaw's limitations and adjusts his positioning accordingly.