"When the sun rose at Mint Bridge on Saturday, the ground was frozen solid, and unqualified observers saw little prospect of play.

When the sun set over the Kendal ground the mud was a little short of a foot deep, and EEC regulations would have prevented animal husbandry on the surface.

Predictably, I thought that there was no prospect of play, and proceeded to lose wagers to the more optimistically inclined whose greater experience accurately predicted the thaw.

New Brighton had expressed their reluctance to travel, and arrived sceptical about the suitability of the surface for rugby football. Their early concerns surrounded the hardness of the ground; their departing complaints revolved around the depth of the mud, in which they accurately concluded that it was impossible to play the game.

They were, of course, completely correct. However, by the time that the surface was suitable only for mud wrestling, we had a lead of 20 points, which would have been worth double on a flat track.

We had dominated the possession and position so completely that there was little prospect of defeat, and although the visitors enjoyed the bulk of the third quarter, they were predictably uncertain in facing that dilemma of those unfamiliar with chasing the game in Cumbria - whether to kick, knock the ball up short, or play it wide.

In the event, they oscillated between all three with equal lack of conviction. I believe that this illustrates the advisability of playing with width and ambition while the pitch was conducive to the running game.

Thus concluded our fourth consecutive victory. I am informed (by him) that this includes the first back to back away wins since Mike Healey was coach, which illustrates the magnitude of the achievement.

I think that we are developing the capacity to play in a range of conditions, and adapt our resources with some flexibility.

While our open field play has always threatened to unlock the most miserly defences, there are recent signs that the ball winning and retention have created the foundation for success in more claustrophobic encounters.

This has elevated us to the relative security of the top half of the league, but leaves little room for complacency, especially considering the intensity of the struggle below.

We must approach a visit to the league's basement side as an opportunity to continue this run of victories, though it would be unwise to discount the desperation of a team fighting for its existence in the National League.

It is the time of the season in which unpredictable results begin to occur. In order to maximise our prospects in this crucial encounter, we are travelling on Friday evening.

Saturday will also be the occasion of Paul Dodds' 350th first team appearance.

He is the only current player who was part of the league side when I joined the club in 1991, and his is a remarkable achievement which may, possibly, never be repeated.

In the current climate, it would be necessary to play every game for 13 seasons to match this record; increasingly unlikely at a time when commitment to training and playing is becoming ever more unfashionable.

His record of having been selected in every backline position makes his achievement even more remarkable, and resistant to repetition.

Let us hope that we can commemorate Paul's fantastic achievement in appropriate style. After all, we are still unbeaten in 2005.