CiderWire

Wire by 4. I sense a closely fought game.

The best team won. That is all.

Yup, I admit it, I was cheering on Saints and Wigan in their respective WCC games against Penrith. It felt good at the time but now, well, the shame still haunts me!

Yes, it was banned in all branches of the Armed Forces until the formidable hard work and perseverance of Damien Clayton MBE, Martin Coyd OBE and Wayne Okell MBE finally paid off. I like to believe their well deserved honours are fair tribute to their dedication to the birth and fruition of our sport within HM Forces. Yours Aye CiderWire VD Scar, NAAFI Star (with bar)

Do you think that past players, such as yourself, Stu Fielden, Kelvin Skerret, Moz, to name a few, would be prevented from playing at the current top level of our sport due to the prohibitive contact rules and over-zealous officiating?

You are quite right, I have never met the young fella, or brushed shoulders in the changing room but I do have the right to an opinion, and I'm quite happy for folk to disagree and and create a constructive debate. However, I do know a little bit about leadership and I do know that, from what I witnessed, his immaturity and petulance were clearly displayed. I do not disagree that he is a wonderfully talented and gifted player and one day he may make a good leader. But not yet. As for GW, do we really want our creative players to be heading the tackle count? I'd much prefer to see him taking on the line and bossing the offensive aspect of the game. That's pretty much the duty of the halves!

Welsby is not yet mature enough to be a captain of our national team. Lees is not yet mature enough. Bateman was immense. Williams was average. Whitehead will be missed. That is all.

Happy to be proved wrong, particularly in this way. I was hardly alone in thinking it might be a bridge too far for Saints.

It will end on Saturday - due to the high body count after their battle with Penrith.

....... make that a box of tissues Granville

Granville, fetch me hanky

I used go on the driving range there with my dad before he passed away the other year. It's a lovely place to have a spot of lunch too.

Split loyalties today, Yeovil or Utd? Maybe a draw is the best, so the Glovers can get another decent payday from a visit to Old Trafford. Lord knows they need it.