It's often quite amazing how fickle the sports lover can be. Many are so quick to ridicule their team when they don't perform as they doggedly wish, then amazingly one good win has the critic cheering from the rooftops.

A curious phenomena, but then that's probably why team sports attract so much of the popular media attention in these modern times - while almost everyone enjoys some fleeting success, with hopes running high of their team finally maintaining consistency. At present only the Australian RL team are invincible. (That will become more obvious to us Brits quite soon.)

Another true, if not as curious, fact is how so many folk can hiss, boo and jeer at a prominently skilful individual rival, and then this dreadfully despicable, rather fearsome, foe can be incredibly transformed into a local hero at the stroke of a contract binding pen. You do hate a player who runs your own favourites ragged though don't you?

Look at soccer, it happens all the time - the transfer market effectively has so many fans eating humble pie. Specifically so when a consistent arch rival signs on the dotted line to then perhaps become an instant local hero.

This two-faced pattern happens everywhere; even the little old world of Rugby League turns villains into friends almost overnight.

Here at Workington Town the most frequent examples of this placatory piracy are the crossings from the Recre to DP and vice versa. Come on admit it, you scorned the wing play of our favourite Townie 'Lewty' when he starred in his chocolate blue and gold uniform - I'll admit that I did.

And Arnold 'Boxer' Walker was transformed from hero to outright tyrant in my book when joined the Haven ranks.

So what is all this serious sounding cogitation building up to?

The answer, in two words, is Martin Wood. A player of immense skill who has too often spoiled my weekends of expected RL delectation. Most frequently during his time as a Cougar.

A team who I have told you, in this column, I rank as a close second to you know who down the road as my prime enemy.

And now Martin has the real opportunity of removing himself from my mental dartboard by shining for Town. And I think he will, which is just great, and well done to the Town board for persuading such a talented player to sign.

Martin has been a star of this league for many years; his stint in Super League was perhaps a low spot.

I vividly recall from last seasons visit by Keighley to DP back in March that he can almost win a game on his own. That very wet spring afternoon he orchestrated every Cougar move, and Towns defence just couldn't see 'Wood for tries'. How I loathed him then. Now I see him as the main man, and capable of boosting Town's play off prospects. So roll on December. My verbal darts are already sharp and flighty but none will be cast at my new favourite 'Wood'.

Finally, for this piece, I must add that I'm chuffed the Aussies are to now go ahead with a visit to our sceptred Isle. A shortened version of the original plan, but it will be a tasty morsel nonetheless. Having said that I cannot see anything but a hat trick of wins for the tourists. Thankfully for the Brits I'm not the best of tipsters although I fear that I don't need to be for this series. However it should provide a titillating starter for those eagerly awaiting the main course arriving in December.
K.S.