South Wales Scorpions’ head coach Dave Clark was happy with the part that the youngsters played in their 32-10 win over Gateshead Thunder last Sunday.
The Scorpions fielded four 18-year olds in the victory, three of whom played two matches in a weekend after travelling to Yorkshire to take on Leeds Rhinos in an under 18 clash the day before.
And as Gateshead were without a win in 63 consecutive matches against professional sides in league and cup, Clark didn’t want the South Wales outfit to give Thunder that break.
“I was really happy with the win, we gelled well and the things we’ve been working on all year started to gel well today,” said Scorpions’ coach Dave Clark. “We’re in the same boat as Gateshead really. We both lost a lot of players through the course of the year and we’re at the bottom end of the table and with both sides trying to get a win under their belts. It was going to be a challenge and I thought the boys did well.
“We didn’t want to be the side that lost to Gateshead but we knew they were hungry for it and they really challenged us throughout. We were just a bit more patient and did those little things a bit better and came up with a result.”
Luke Kell, Chris Leyshon and Mike Connor played a full game against Leeds Rhinos on Saturday then all came on as second half substitutes on Sunday against Gateshead. They were just three of eight players in the side who travelled to Leeds who have already made first team appearances this year.
“I was really proud of those 18-year olds on Sunday,” Clark said. “We had three out there who backed up from Saturday’s game. A fantastic effort from them and I take my hat off to those players.
“I think that the last month, despite just the one win, has been very successful for us. We’ve been blooding in the youngsters to get them used to what the Championship is all about. We do want to bring in new players from other clubs for next season but geographically it’s hard for us to do that, so we have to make sure we bring the right players in to support the Welsh youngsters we’re developing. It takes a special sort of player and one that wants a challenge to do that.
“It’s our aim to have a fully Welsh side in the end. This season we’ve often averaged 14 or 15 local players in our team and that’s what we want. It’s the sustainability of the club. We don’t want to bring players in for them just to stay one year. We want to develop players young and that’s what we’re doing.”
The Scorpions just have one game remaining this season, away at Barrow Raiders on Sunday 2nd September.
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