WHAT a great day out at Gigg Lane. The players were superb and out travelling fans were - Fantastic!

I wasn't too worried when we were 12-8 down at half time. I told the lads to be patient and stick to the gameplan, I predicted we would win by 20 points, but I was wrong - it was 22.

I had a theory that their big pack would tire late in the game and that our boys on the bench were better prepared. Phil Stephenson and Paul Owen are big impact players and they helped change the shape of the game.

Phil's performance really impressed me. He's been very patient, sitting on the bench for the past few weeks and now he has his chance. With Michael Slicker out it means the props are having to work that much harder. Another player worth mentioning is Ian Hughes, he has been outstanding for the past few weeks.

AS I'VE said the level of support at this club is superb, I think our travelling crew outnumbered the Swinton support by at least two to one, on THEIR home ground.

Such passion is amazing, particularly as we are not yet in the top four. Once again, on behalf of the players, many thanks.

Keep it up this weekend. I want to make Cougar Park a fortress against visiting teams both on the field and on the terraces, with your help.

THE CLUB has begun its drive to produce its own young talent, and this week we signed Carlos Sanchez on a professional contract.

He's only 18 and is a really quality back row forward in the making.He is the first of what I hope will be many signings as we lay the foundations of a youth policy at the club.

FINALLY I want to say a few words about paul Moses, our Alliance coach and a member of my coaching staff, who has taken some unwarranted criticism over the A-Team performances in the last few weeks.

Paul is a quality coach and it very difficult for him to relay on an amateur base to put out a side. That will chance as we develop a strong youth development programme a the club.

More than anything Paul is Keighley Cougars through and through. He's doing a great job down here and deserves your support.

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