The albatross around our necks is gone. After eight weeks patiently waiting and battling away valiantly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays without tangible reward, the sequence of defeats is ended.

Not only was the victory important, but the manner of it held a significance for the future.

Firstly, I thought that Fylde were better than their league position showed. Many of their defeats have been by agonisingly narrow margins, reflected in their points

difference, and they were not significantly weaker than the other teams in the bottom half of the league.

Indeed, their forwards were as strong as many. Secondly, I thought our performance was genuinely impressive, in both attack and defence. We did not just win, we beat them. Not only did we score four excellent tries, in contrasting styles, but created several other gilt-edged chances that were not

finished off. This is a real foundation for the future.

There were some immense individual performances. Ian Gowing had an excellent all round game. Ian Thompson, though not aspiring beyond the claustrophobic skills of the coal-face, exerted invaluable influence; Mark Bowman combined uncompromising pragmatism with genuine vision and skill.

There was no greater hero, however, than Colin Wolstenholme. Known by that name only by his mother, the club owes him an apology.

Having dispensed with his loyal services in September, seduced by cosmopolitan alternatives that seemed, at the time, bigger, stronger and more skilful, it is a mark of the man, and of the club, that he has returned in our hour of need.

Without bitterness, he has quietly reminded those who should know better that glamorous touches and neat handling skills are a bonus in the back row, but never an alternative to the essential foundation of subterranean work in dark and unwelcoming places.

Our league position is unchanged, but our prospects are not. I am convinced that nine wins - six more - will avoid relegation.

Home games against Stourbridge, Newbury, Launceston and Esher, plus visits to Nottingham, Doncaster, Wharfedale and Fylde offer real victory prospects, in addition to what I still believe is a capacity to create a real surprise by turning over one of the top sides.

Our fate is back in our own hands. Playing so much better on Saturday is an illustration of what is possible for this club, this season, with these players, in this league.

The year 2002 has not been a vintage one. Only five league victories since Jan-uary, the loss of key players, the death of an irreplaceable coach. We welcome the new year as an opportunity to move forward. Saturday's result is a foundation for that.

January 3, 2003 10:30