A clash of the top two, a massive game for both, a trip into the unknown. Some rugby clubs are unwelcoming for different reasons, past games, local rivalries or a whole host of other reasons. For anyone who knows the Ducks, political correctness amongst the lads has never been the most sacred thing. They will and often do find the funny side anywhere and everywhere we go, so it was not surprising when I arrived to hear comments like "was Phoenix Nights filmed here?" "is this Nestons Twin Town?" and "are we in that bar in the Star Wars film?"

That however was where the fun stopped, on the day the lads where beaten by a better team, it's the first time this season I can actually say that without fear of being corrected, even in last weeks loss at Crewe, I can honestly say we have been the best team in every game, yesterday was different. Whether that was the changes forced upon us, whether the burden of expectation finally caught up with us I don't actually know, what I do know is, we were bullied from the start, dominated in the scrum, our line out didn't function and when the backs got the ball we made a host of bad decisions and had no continuity.

Helsby were better drilled, up for it and motivated, they still cling to the hope either Crosby or ourselves mess things up and they can gain promotion, on yesterday's showing they'll be ready if that happens.

BOYS THEY TRAIN REGULARLY WE DON'T, talent will only take you so far, the rest has to be worked at, if we don't want too mess it up, get your backsides down to training more regularly.

A few notable performances on a day when little went right, Tyler, Con and Jamie, when your scrum is being shoved back at an increasing rate of knots by a much bigger pack, your lightweight front row could be forgiven for going hiding, they didn't complain, scrummaged to the end, tackled well, I couldnt ask anymore of them. Jamie carries the grazes on his nose from the punches he took.

A big thank you to Andy Barker, called in a short notice, cheers mate it was appreciated, disappointing on the other hand, lads that go on the #iss Friday night and then cry off late, if you're ill like Kris and Dan that's fair enough, especially when Kris says he'll play if we're short even after coming out of hospital on friday and being told not too.

Duck of the Day goes to Tyler, at eighteen learning your trade on the coalface, against a lot bigger opponent in Helsby's loosehead, not backing down, not going missing and being your dependable self, mate you deserve it. Diffy Duck was a harder decision, some might say we had eighteen of them, me however have plumped for our inspirational captain on the Day, never one to complain, Mr Self Restraint, quiet, composed and the referees best friend. Launching the ball at an opponents head, even after severe profication is not an excuse, so two awards on the day Mr Wells, Diffy Duck and a yellow card, the crates on you next week.

After two defeats in a row an emergency a Board Meeting was convened at the Club late last night, I had a phone call this morning from Director of Rugby Jim McKenzie, who assured me that Alan and myself had been given a Vote of Confidence by the Board and our positions are safe for now (apparently no one else is daft enough to do the job).

Mother Duck.