I see I now write as part of a Town.Net web site team, a triumvirate (?) a coalition, in fact. Well hopefully it will add strength to what is surely already an interesting site to visit.

I have always found Tommo to be an interesting theorist on all matters RL. He has never been shy to go to war via the popular press, RL style, with his articulate views on all aspects of the wonderful game - and sincerely look forward to reading his page from now on in.

The second new arrival is more of a mystery character, Old Timer, I can summon up images of so many Townies in that bracket. This one, however, appears at present a bit trigger happy. The message board took up a large portion of his opening salvo. I don't intend to open up a heated debate with Old Timer because I can be something of a loose cannon myself (reference regular Academy followers) but the site message board is surely open to all comments Sir? The only exceptions being any bad, abusive, language.

And if you, or anyone else disagree with the contents of many messages well just say so. Oh, you did. But I do not think it so bad to mention personal items during any message banter, e.g. bald heads (for obvious reasons) it is part of something called camaraderie is it not? And, in any case, one man's meat etc.

There now, the triumvirate is up and running.

And soon, but not soon enough, the big lads will be knocking down rivals (no pun intended Bob) in anger.

I still don't officially know if we will be relating our comments to matches in the NFP though. What's happening with this sponsorship?

I was at Barrow last Saturday, with the Academy team, and even an office chap at Craven Park admitted he was in the dark on this one as yet.

I did take the opportunity to tap him up about the availability of a certain star scrum half. My somewhat half cocked feeble effort quickly fell on stony ground. I think he decided I was not of an important enough rank to pose the question. He was of course correct but, hey, sometimes if even a minion like me scatters enough seeds some may flourish.

Anyhow I was really more concerned with what lay ahead in the Academy match.

My pre-match concerns on this day were to be proved correct as the game unfolded, Barrow played very well with star performer Adrian Gardner looking all of an international academy player. Martin's Marvels yet again pulled of a last gasp win, they are top entertainers that's for sure.

Post match I was quite shocked to hear that new Barrow senior coach, Cameron Bell, who attended the game, slammed the efforts of the home team. Wow! He must be something of a perfectionist. I saw the young Raiders as being a good outfit, and well drilled by Stuart Wilkinson, in fact one of the better teams I have seen this campaign.

The play off part of the season now looms largely in all the Academy devotees minds.

I do believe it to be a top five battle again. Although it is no surprise, ask Tommo, that the games legislators are dragging their feet a tad on verifying this at present. Why is this sort of business not sorted early, even pre-season?

Let's just assume it will be a top five play off. Now I'll have a bash at explaining that formula. Week 1 (played Sept 8/9) will be 2nd v 3rd, and 4th v 5th as the two matches to play. The latter being sudden death for the losers. The losers of the former getting a second bite at the cherry.

In fact that's all you need to know for now isn't it? Watch this space for further details.
K.S.