By the final whistle there were four members of the JSA on the field - hooker Mike Haywood, lock Tom Hicks and backs Glyn Hughes and Sam Collins - all of whom played a full role in the 17-12 win at Heywood Road.

"Rugby comes down to fronting up on the day," Hunter said after the game. "The young lads that came in didn't know the calls, they didn't know each other's names, some of them, but they fronted up. I'm absolutely over the moon for the likes of Glyn Hughes, who was so secure under the high ball, Tom Hicks, who ran the lineout when he came on, and Mikey Haywood, who came into the front row and kept our scrum going.

"It is difficult for them, because there is so much to take in. We have quite a bit of continuity between our Junior Academy, Senior Academy, Wanderers and first team. Even so just from a mental point of view it really does show strength from those guys to drop into a side where they could be looking around and saying: 'That's Scott Gray over there'. But they went into that side and contributed in a positive way for the team."

Hunter also said that the senior players in last night's squad - Mark Hopley, Scott Gray, Paul Diggin, Alan Dickens and Barry Everitt - proved to be good anchors in the side for the young players to work around.

"That is what you expect from your senior players," Hunter commented. "We've seen it from Mark Hopley for game after game. We haven't seen so much of Scott and Digger but those three were outstanding. Digger's level of chat and organisation of the back three, Scott's physicality and Hoppers' doggedness keeps you in a game like that. The half backs provided an enormous amount of control and leadership, especially in the early part of the game to get us out of the blocks. But it was good to see the young guys try to emulate them too."

Last night's game was Hunter's last in the 'A' League before he takes up his position at the RFU in December. He admitted he would miss his Monday nights with the Wanderers.

"The biggest thing about nights like this is that you get the privilege to see players as they emerge," he said. "Looking back you remember Courtney's first hit at Saracens on Andy Farrell that had us giggling a bit, Mike Haywood's first lineout throw under pressure. You remember the first time guys did those things and that's the bit I'll miss, as well as getting to know the senior guys away from the glare of the Premiership."

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