Hello again folks. Well a satisfactory start to the NFP marathon eh? Played one, won one, although I must admit to having seen more thrilling matches at Derwent Park. Perhaps the weather factor was always going to be an issue for both teams to contend with. However, given the deluges that have pounded us in recent times, I thought the playing surface stood up rather well. It was the swirling wind that proved treacherous, and minimised flowing play.

The 'Hornets' early possession supremacy, was aided by some dubious calls from the ref. Especially regarding the visitors 'knock ons'?, and thereby caused some furrowed brows amidst those eager for Town to draw early blood.

Tension was diminished when the 'skipper' capitalised on a Sicey dash to get the scoreboard stirring, for the seasons first points. The fact is, it has been a long time since a Town fan can boast of even such a small mercy as starting off any season in winning mode.

I have read some of the post match verdicts, perhaps the most consequential coming from coach Gary Murdock. Who mentions his concerns regarding "one or two Town players fitness levels". Plus like all of us who stayed to the end he was disappointed to concede try from the visitors so near to the close of play.

One of my friends/informants tells me that some had observed a double movement from Sculthorpe as he crashed over. Personally I never noticed that he had done so. And on the Border T.V. clip it looked o.k. (It says he scored in the papers also). Any opinions on Sundays' man of match out there in the land of w.w.w.?

I had a top three, in no particular order, of Matt Sturm, Carl Sice, and Leigh Smith. With 'Tutty' looking quite aggressive when he joined the action. Plus I didn't notice the inexperienced, as a fullback, Neil Frazer put a foot wrong.

A rekindled novelty for the Town players this season is that they also select their own 'man of match'. The player with most votes will then receive a tankard, which was purchased by and inscribed as 'from the six townies', (a noble bunch who watch training sessions week in week out) he will retain it until the next match, and so it will go on as the season progresses. Heaven knows how the trophy will look come July methinks. So the first recipient was........yes that's correct...Matt Sturm.

Right then after all the huffing and puffing to get the show on the road, we are subjected to a week off. Why didn't the Red Hall hierarchy allow Bramley back in to round up the NFP numbers?

No matter I guess it gives those such as Lewty, and others, who took a knock to sort it out. I'm informed the club have appointed a new Physio to assist with the repair work. He is Mr. George Wilson of Flimby. Good luck in your new role George, errr are you aware of my chronic back condition? (He will be...soon).

K.S.