To be honest the defeat at Rochdale came as no real surprise to me. Yes it would have been buddy marvellous to win it, but the Hornets are currently buzzing in a fashion which I feel only they can. They are one of the enigmas of professional rugby league without a doubt. At times they struggle amidst the depths of league despair, then rise through such mediocrity to play football of outstanding quality, with a knack of keeping the ball alive - a la vintage St Helens.

Yet Rochdale can never advance above the role of the 'Cinderella' club of the Greater Manchester neighbourhood. An area which boasts the likes of Wigan, Salford, Leigh and Oldham. Not that I'm taking anything away from the excellent efforts of coach Martin Hall and his men you must understand. But will Rochdale ever become a genuine Super League candidate? I don't think so.

Again a similar prognosis must apply to Towns opponents of this weekend - the Batley Bulldogs. West Yorkshire is a thriving metropolis as regards rugby league, for just one example, but Batley is more famous (or was) for a variety club within their town. And of course the 'Dogs lay nicely (or not, if you care for your local crew) within easy commuting distance for folk to populate the terraces at such as Leeds, Bradford, or Dewsbury (only jesting with the latter suggestion 'Dogs fans).

Having said that, Batley are within striking distance of a top eight position at present. Hopefully no complacency will pollute the Town efforts on Sunday. The Bulldogs are one of those teams who can certainly pack plenty of bite if they scent lassitude( spot the pun??). The next three games are not for the faint hearted Townie, on or off the pitch. Oldham, Doncaster away, and Widnes at home will possibly see the making or breaking of Workington Towns 2001 season.

The trip to Belle Vue, Doncaster, a week next Wednesday evening makes it so difficult for our regular away day followers to provide their customary, and so useful, backing for the lads. Ever since the original call off it was destined to be a mid week affair.

I can't quite remember what caused the March postponement of this match, was it a waterlogged pitch? Whatever, it still has worked in favour of the Dragons - Gary's men will just have to breathe fire of their own making for this one.

Easier though for the Town army to march down to Oldham, Sunday the 20th. And even more accessible will be the Bank Holiday weekend tussle at Derwent Park, with the Vikings. A tough schedule as I've indicated, but the NFP is a formidable baby to manipulate at any time. We need full concentration for this final countdown ahead of us- on and off the park.

Now for something rather different on this page. I am going to flex my poetic licence.
The following may only make sense to those diehards who travelled to Rochdale, if any at all. But here I go:-

HAS IT GONE FOR A BURTON?
I know of a healthy bunch of Workington Town fans,
Who have joined in keenly with the sponsored diet plans,
Now for some it may be quite easy to lose some weight,
But others will dread their next check, when they meet,
And while they warily continue to fight off the pounds,
Many are tempted by the 'snap' at some away grounds.

Last week at Rochdale one man, who will remain anon,
Had slipped away quietly, but now where had he gone?
Sad to report he was soon spotted, by his trouble and strife,
(Well it's always so difficult lads, to hide from your wife)
This very hungry chap was, actually discovered behind a wall,
While giving his troublesome diet a thoroughly nice overall.

At Rochdale they serve such delicious steaming pie and peas,
So he had skulked away to sample several portions of these,
Now I'm sure the 'diet team' should at least have a heart,
(Despite a long journey home, and those peas do make you f**t),
Yes,your mans diet did of course go quite mischievously off the rails,
But think of this - at the next weigh in - he may break the damn scales!!

K.S.