Hull KR boss James Webster proud of his side despite defeat to Wigan
Monday 28 March 2016 23:27, UK
Hull Kingston Rovers head coach James Webster says he "couldn't be more proud" of his side despite suffering a defeat to Wigan on Monday evening.
Rovers almost caused a huge upset at the DW Stadium and led 10-4 at the half-time break before going on to lose the match 30-16, largely thanks to a hat-trick from Wigan winger Josh Charnley.
Webster was forced to field a young, inexperienced line-up after a number of Rovers' senior players picked up injuries in the disappointing derby defeat to Hull FC on Good Friday.
Will Oakes started in an unfamiliar role on the wing, while teenagers Joe Cator and Joe Wardill came off the bench for their Super League debuts.
And Webster says he is pleased with the performance of his youngsters, despite the result.
"I am not going to hide my disappointment from losing, rugby league is about winning at this level," he said.
"It would be unrealistic of me if I wasn't proud of what they turned out.
"We had three 17-year-old kids playing, our average age was 21 and to come here on a short turnaround and turn out that type of performance I couldn't be more proud of them.
"I thought Will Oakes did really well, I thought Joe Wardill was the pick of them. He has never played on the wing before and I thought he was outstanding, you couldn't tell that was his debut and the first time he had been on the wing.
"These players haven't really come to training with us but it shows the academy is working. The idea of the academy is not to win games, it is trying to get them ready to play first grade."
Wigan head coach Shaun Wane was also quick to praise Hull KR's performance, as well as that of his own side, who have now picked up seven wins from eight at the start of the new season.
"Credit to Hull KR, they had a dig," said Wane, whose side also defeated local rivals St Helens on Friday evening.
"They have got some good young kids coming through, I knew it was going to be a bit scratchy as Friday's game took a lot out of us.
"We were not good enough in the first-half, we improved in the second-half. You have to give a lot of credit to Hull KR they really stood up and tested us today.
"I know what it is like to play Friday and Monday, it's a real tough one. It is a test for everybody and that is why I like it. It's backs against the wall and we ended up with two points."
