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.

Ryan Atkins never passed to his winger either, Look at him now. Give Walshaw time, and I'm sure he will start putting his winger away.

Walshaw and Ryan were the only two yesterday who punched holes in the defence. Walshaw showed good pace and whilst he may be a little shy of passing to his wing, I though a couple of times he wasn't exactly helped by his winger coming inside.
BUT, back to the original post - twice we kicked it on the ground from drop outs and twice we got it back, so why put it up in the air. Kick the ball to LAND, not to HAND as Benji Marshall says.
In the first half with the number of handling errors, its schoolboy tactics to realise that kicking early in the tackle count and playing the game in the opposition half rather than your own will reduce points conceded and give yourself more chances.

Walshaw is a big unit but has a lot to learn and I mean a lot but the one thing he has on his side is age.

Would that be the match winning looping reverse pass that he gave to mathers that launch out match winning try - great awareness from a natural centre - or would Collis have done better, assuming he hadn't already hobbled off to have one of his biscuit bones reset by McVitee's.

I was sceptical about Wallshaw when Belly was bugging him up, however it now staggers me that some can't see what's in front of them.

As for Riley, give over - he's a determined little player but his positioning and awareness have always been questionable, talk about building the lily.

Also was last night really the night for centres to be passing to winger, I mean really was it?

In dryer conditions with a longer passing game, Ryan and Walshaw would have been been a real handful.
As for Sykes, he does what he does.
Think it's fine to pair him with Smith but should be looking to move forward for next year.
Will Sykes be 34 next year, so maybe time for a change and if Tim does come back permanent, find out who is his best match.

Thinking about it, Andy Mason never passed to his winger and he wasn't bad! Back to Sykesy, not surprised Webster opted to put him alongside Smith, it's a proven combo that may well keep us out of trouble. Like others however I was surprised that Sammut got dropped.

He's an excellent example. He can't pass and that means although he is the best running centre in the league he isn't in the England side. It's an important part of the game for a centre.

He may get it. I hope he does.

Errm I think you are wrong. Andy Mason had a good pass. Phil Fox was our top scorer outside him.

Phil Fox was a speedy and underrated winger as I recall who played 3 season at Trin? I'd be surprised if he out scored Mason whilst at Wakey though. Perhaps a slight exaggeration on my part when I said he never passed, however happy to be corrected. The mason era were perhaps my fav wakey team. Plenty of guts who could beat anyone on their day and mason was a big part of that team.

Sykes or Sammut - come on - Sammut all day long !!

Sykes should be at centre - hes a good defender too.

Walshaw doing a fantastic job - but hes a second rower and does not miss a tackle.

But those who would rather pay to see Sykes play then watch Sammut are talking/typing rubbish !!