We've fallen at lots of harder hurdles since then, but at least on Grand National Day we travel to Merseyside unbeaten for the last month. OK, ok,  we haven't played since we beat Penrith on March 9th but the way this season has gone we need to enjoy our small mercies.

Loo have gone on to secure safety while we are hoping to finish with some better displays as the coaches look to start building for next season.

There is good news on the horizon as we look to build a settled squad which can more than compete in North One East next season. Liam Bailey is on the way back after his knee ligament operation and doing remeidal work with Gez the physio as is Andrew Turner [Reg's grandson] who is likely to be one of the players in contention for the No 8 shirt.

The side has lacked experience this season and the return to rugby of the likes of Peter Hodgson, Neil Howe and Stephen Stockdale is encouraging. Experience has shown us that you need a squad of between 25-30 genuine first teamers if you are to succeed in league rugby, and to take the pressure off lads who are moving up from second or even third team rugby.

However, there is still rugby to be played this season. The good news is that Anth Carr is finally available after missing most of the season through work commitments.

The bad news is that Nathan Myers is injured after taking a few days to discover that he'd broken some bones in his hand while playing in the centre for the thirds a fortnight ago.

Ryan Painter is unavailable and Andy Foreman is a week or so away from full fitness so Colin Cheslin will be at scrum half.

West squad:Luke Mallinson, Craig Swales,, Greg Edwards, Andrew Cheslin, Tom Armstrong,  Stu Waites, Colin Cheslin,  Anth Carr Andrew Rollins, Andrew Dixon, Adam Coates, Michael Hogan, Andy Robson, Alex Barker, Dan Boatman [capt], Jon Boatman , Neil Howe.