AFTER the disappointment of the two previous games it was back to winning ways at Rochdale last weekend - but I have to admit it was far from our best performance of the season.

When only one team wants to play it makes it very difficult for any team. Rochdale were allowed to hold down for 10 seconds at a time and got away with countless infringements. However, when we were allowed the space we punished them with some spectacular tries out wide.

THANKFULLY there were no injuries and with the possible return of Graeme Hallas and Phil Stephenson this weekend we are beginning to look stronger than we have in recent weeks.

Phil has been badly missed and will be a valuable addition to the squad at Sheffield.

Richard Smith's progress has been a little slower and he has not been able to take part in a full training session yet as we do want to aggravate the injury to his hip. Hopefully he should be fit for the start of the play-offs.

Craig Horne was pulled off on Sunday as a precaution, as he felt a slight pull on the hamstring that has sidelined him recently.

SUNDAY'S opponents, Sheffield Eagles, will be no pushovers.

They have found improved form recently and, like Rochdale, are in a false position in the league. The Don Valley Stadium is not that wide and is more suited to a forward battle - and that is where their strength lies.

They will be trying to spoil someone's season as they have failed to make the play-offs, so we have to be on our guard.

In Jeff Wittenberg and Richard Goddard they have experienced players who have played at the highest level. You can also expect a threat from the ex-Cougar contingent, I know Chris Robinson is fighting to get fit for this one having been out with injury.

OBVIOUSLY our ambition is to win the next six. If we manage that our fans will be celebrating a trophy win, but we have to be fully focused on each game.

First or second in the league would be a great achievement for the players. Our expectation was top eight at the beginning of the season , but apart from a few hiccups the players have done remarkably well considering this is a brand new team.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.