SAINTS first team may have endured something of a patchy season so far, but the same cannot be said of the club’s Reserves and Under 19s who are both unbeaten so far.

But the success of the Saints reserve grade, which was started back up this year by a handful of top flight and Championship clubs, is not being judged in terms of results.

The open age competition has fitted a number of purposes already this season, from helping youngsters play against me to giving dropped or convalescing seniors game time that they would no longer get.

With a blend of youth, experience and some staple reserve graders, coach Ian Talbot has been pleased with the way it has come together in this season.

He explained the mechanics of how the team is made up to complement the youngsters and non-selected first teamers.

He said: “We have pulled a few lads in who are not playing first team but are too old for 19s - a good blend of players from different backgrounds — Tom Connick, Tony Suffolk and Dave Llewellyn.

“We have also been giving trials to Tommi Hughes from Birmingham.

“Tommi is a good friend of Jon Wilkin and has played rugby union sevens to a high standard and was looking for a route into the game.

“He is 26/27 so it might be a bit late for him to progress in Super League but he could do a job at a lower level. He can certainly score tries, he has weaknesses that he needs to work on. He is doing well for us.”

Some of those players have a specific function in helping to not simply give the team some stability, but to nurture those younger players around them.

Talbot highlighted the role played by the experienced front-rower Tony Suffolk.

“Players like Tony are worth their weight in gold and they will run though a brick wall for you.

“When you get the likes of Levy Nzoungou – a young inexperienced prop – it is invaluable to have that experience beside him.

“It is almost like having a big brother in your team at times,” he said.

All year there has been a clamour from the fans to give more youngsters a shot at the first team.

Talbot is 100 per cent convinced that this year of nurturing those talents within the reserves will have battle-hardened them for open age rugby league.

“The Reserve comp helps the likes of Regan Grace and Levy Nzoungou play out of their age group. It is a baptism of fire – going from 19s to the first team.

“To get that experience is good for their progression.

“Speak to any pro and they will say the same. I remember my A team debut for Wigan at the Watersheddings and looked at the opposition front row and remember it being Paul Davidson and Basil Richards.

“And that was a learning curve, players like Paul Wellens will tell you you that he remembers all his A team games,” Talbot said.

Talbot, who is assisted with the coaching by Tommy Martyn, Wellens and Derek Hardman, said there is no pecking order of Reserves being a superior competition to the Under 19s.

“We have the understanding that we just pick two teams that will be best for each game every week, and touch wood we have both come through so far,” he said.