WELL it was good to be back last week after my 'enforced absence' and it was good to get back to winning ways.

It was a strange week and we were all just glad when we could get on the field and put the events off the field behind us.

I thought that we played more like we know we can than at any time this season. I was pleased for the fans with the victory because they have stuck with us when things haven't gone well.

It was the player's decision to issue an apology to the fans and I can tell you that it was a decision that came from all the players.

We know that we haven't performed and I think Sunday went some way to showing them that we are back in business.

Paul Deacon had a top game on Sunday. It wasn't easy for him coming into the side on the back of three defeat, but he took it in his stride and looks a good player for the future.

I know that the coaching staff have a very high regard for him and I am sure that he will kick on and show all his talents.

Stuart Fielden is improving with every game. Prop is the most difficult position to fill as a youngster, but Stuart is handling the step up brilliantly.

The Academy side did not do too badly in their absence and had a convincing victory over Featherstone Rovers.

We look to have unearthed another potential star in Leon Pryce. He has come into the side in the last two weeks and looks very confident with the ball in his hands.

He has been training with the first team for the last couple of weeks and he has

tremendous enthuuiasm for the game.

It has been quite a week for new arrivals among the Bulls' players. My mate Brian McDermott was the first to become a father when his wife, Joanne, gave birth to Jacob and he was followed the next day by Danny Peacock.

Bird's wife, Nicole, presented him with a boy and Jack and I have been ribbing him all week about him being the father of a Yorkshireman.

Whether he will have a British passport or not, I don't know, but Danny is delighted and it has given him something to smile about during what has been a difficult time for him.

We go to Headingley tomorrow looking for a win. Since I left Leeds I have not lost at Headingley and I aim to keep my record intact.

The Rhinos will be very tough opposition and we will be going into the game as underdogs, but I am sure that we can pull off a victory.

There will be a huge crowd on the night and I ask all of you to come along and support us. We don't want to be out-shouted by the Rhinos.

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