For this weeks input I intend slanting my views towards Workington Town Academy matters, and their match this weekend at the Maryport ARLFC ground this Sunday at 3.00 pm.

Looking back over the Academy season one can see that the main contenders for the eventual division one title come from the big three of Leigh Centurions, Featherstone Rovers and of course our own little darlings at Workington Town.

Having said that I see Oldham, Dewsbury and Barrow as having capable sides, and still in with a shout of the ultimate prize.

Last weeks setback at Featherstone for the Town youngsters was one of those days when everything the hosts attempted came up trumps.

Proof of the way the game was going came via the Rovers fourth try of the match, a player lost control of the ball, a knock on, but no it hit his knee - then his boot - and bounced over the Town try line. A Leigh player subsequently dived and missed the ball completely but our merry whistler still generously (?) awarded the score. The laughing up their sleeves by the Rovers fans positioned behind those sticks only served to prove the point that the four awarded were indeed very, very dubious.

No sir I'm not feasting on sour grapes at all but this great game of Rugby League can sometimes just kick you in the face when you're down. Talking of which our regular academy fullback, Kevin Brown, is still hurting, and looking like a victim of a guerilla attack at present. I believe he is to have a scan regarding a possible fractured cheekbone - very bad luck on the kid. Yet the perpetrator amazingly walks free.

Leigh will provide a stern test of the Town youngsters ability to rise from the adversity at the Featherstone Miners Welfare ground.

I really still regard this squad as the best I have seen since my involvement in Town Academy life. Yes, budgies babes were very good too, but perhaps the likes of Cardiff and Hemel Hempstead were not as testing as the current make up of Division One. Last years team, coached by Paul Penrice were also excellent. They got within a whisker - forty minutes to be exact - of making the play off final. And that fine effort included a great win at Featherstone en route.

However having seen how these youngsters came back recently at Oldham and Gateshead when all seemed lost in both matches I will confidently predict that they can turn over the current league leaders on Sunday.

Oggy will be able to field a strong line up with holidays now just fond memories for many of the lads, it will create a problem for the selection process but, as my mate 'Sir Alex the great' regularly explains, "it is a nice problem to have".

If you are reading this prior to the game on Sunday why not make every effort to attend it. I know TV etc can tempt you but we want a big crowd to make it a special one off occasion at Maryport.

Now on to senior matters. Not really much to comment on as it happens, guys'n'gals.

Saturday sees the staging of the annual end of season bash, this year at the Cumbria Ballroom. I'm informed the ticket sales have been excellent so it augurs well for a good night.

You can still attend yourself. If reading this prior to the kick off the tickets cost a less-than-princely sum of ten pounds which includes buffet, and are available at the club shop in Fisher Street. Perhaps Janet will excuse me for also adding you may also be welcome to pay on the actual night.

I'll include news of the awards in next weeks column, but for now I need to have one of my pills (they help me relax) and will put me in the right frame of mind for Sunday's match.

Having said that be warned. Don't mess with the baldies, okay?
K.S.