Just back from the game and quite a thriller at the end... Hemel Stags 21-20 Gateshead Thunder. Omari Caro scored Thunders first try but didn't get much ball but surprised he was playing (saw him on the sidelines at our HKR defeat too - so wasn't sure if he was injured or dropped) although Shane Grady played in Stags first home game. Broncos Mike Bishay played well for the Stags as did Mason Caton-Brown but hardly SL standard.

Well done Hemel, showing the Skolars (who are now bottom) how to do it!

Entertaining game at Hemel. Gateshead kept coming back. Missed a drop goal from distance near the end at 20-20. Hemel set up Bishay on the next set to put one over under the posts. Bishay is the main player. He looks good and directs the play. Caro didn't look the happiest.

Caro was terrible today. Looked totally disinterested. His team mates must have been spitting chips when he turned over possession on early tackles.

Good game though

Caro was dropped for defensive errors. Too many London juniors just dont have a strong enough all round RL game for SL.

Bang on the money. Only LMS and Clubb are at that level at the moment, others way off, mentioning no names from our current squad.

I went to Hemel today too. How nice it is to see a team play for 80 mins. and come away with a victory for a change.
Come on you Stags!

Yes those 2 somehow came through the same system and became good SL level players, but all of the other elite locals seem woefully lacking at the top level. Dixon may be an exception as his qualities are good enough to allow for a couple of weaknesses.

Caro was injured in the Widnes game when he bombed the winning try. Had to go for an MRI the following week on his shoulder I believe

Funny you should say that as Saints fans are calling for LMS to be released as he had never improved since joining then, Friday night he gave away three silly penalties, perhaps that is a London legacy!

You can take a lad up north, but can you make him a star? Maybe we should ask Mr Offiah.

Sad news if true about LMS........maybe he needs to come home. When does his contract at Saints run out?

Watched the game - he was stupid, silly silly penalities. Just like London..........................

Has he learnt to fight in the tackle yet?

He's never learn't not to give away stupid penlties. We have too many like him allready. Leave him with Saints. Time we learn't to only sign players who will improve the team not take it further back. Penalties kill a team and LMS is a penalty machine.

Yup. He would walk into our side though.

I'd certainly welcome him back with open arms. Of course conceding penalties aren't ideal but we do seem to be too nice at times

Completely and I would have him back tomorrow!

LMS isnt having the best season, maybe trying too hard to make up for all the injuries to senior players a Saints. Had a good last year though, and very pacey for a forward. Would easily be our best forward if he came back. Love watching him play (normally).

I think when Clubb is 100%, he can be better than LMS.

Both very hard working players IMO....Clubb seemed to take a while getting used to playing second row,but from what I've seen and heard of him lately, he's getting back to his best.

One of my favourite moments at the Stoop was the 2009 hammering of Wire. In the second half, Tony Clubb absolutely nailed Matt King (IIRC), who spilt the ball, which was scooped up and we went 70 meters for a try (Curtis IIRC) under the sticks....whilst the team rallied around the try scorer, Louis ran back towards Clubby and high fived him.....it was some tackle and LMS knew it. Those were the days they played with a smile on their faces....

I don't think LMS has progressed at all - though that is not to say he's not an asset. As RB worries on a previous page, I think he's still a bit passive in contact. I don't think he's a level up from the props we already have.

He is mobile though and I wonder whether he could be given a wider role sometimes.

LMS suffers from the London syndrome

Poor tackling techinique
Poor last set plays

I've seen it for years watching the kids come through

LMS is being used as a main prop to make up for our total lack of natural forwards atm, and it's just not his role at all. Hopefully when Perry is back he can return to being an impact player.

WQ. You've got me thinking as you've watched the juniors for years. London Syndrome. What is it? What can be done?

Do we need better coaches at an earlier age down south? Who is coaching the youngsters and how good are these coaches? Do we have the luxury of having former first graders helping kids out at schools or in the junior grades like they do over here. If not. Should the RFL consider getting former players involved more at grass roots and I don't mean just turning up at festivals or special days, but getting various clubs together to work with these specialists on a longer term to run through basics and teach kids as though they know absolutely nothing about the game even if they have been playing for a while. Getting them back to the basics.

Who is the best player London have developed to date?