After two defeats, a lot of soul searching and scraping the bottom of the barrel to see what gems lay there, the Ducks got back to winning ways.

I hadn't realised Alan was actually superstitious, but when he reminded on Thursday, that I changed the boots I'd been wearing all season for the Crewe game and then worn them again the following week at Helsby, he put the blame for our two defeats firmly at my feet, what he hadn't realised was that I'd also changed my trainers as well for those two games. So with Dorothy's Red Shoes on and Nath's boots, lucky underwear, rabbits foot, fingers crossed and a few prayers, yesterday's game could go ahead.

It obviously worked as we got back to winning ways. Over the last few weeks the Ducks and therefore the Mavs in turn have been subject to our clubs own interpretation of a Viking Invasion, injuries, holidays, and general unavailability as its my turn to go watch the Internationals this week haven't helped. Losing so many regulars when we are coming to the crunch time in the season isn't good.

As I've said on many occasions already this season, the Ducks can only play whats put in front of them, credit yesterday goes to an Oldershaw side, who although completely out played all game, still kept going and scored a late try their grit and spirit deserved.

Del Alderson and Graham Keen stepped up from the Mavs and did themselves great credit, Callum Thomas made his senior debut off the bench. Steve Hearn rolled back the years (can't believe he's nearly 70). Captain Toby still struggling with his shoulder continues to put his body on the line and still hasn't skippered a losing side this season, (that ones down to you Wellsy, he told me to mention). Kris Lewis dragged himself off his sick bed and had a great game at fly half (he spent two days last week in hospital) dedication indeed.

Nineteen tries, Twinkle Toes Tom got six playing back row, Toby got a hat trick, a brace for Taggy (Mr Romance back from a Valentines Break in Paris), Martyn (Olly Wharton) Brown and Top Cat and one from Hastey, Kris, Tyler and Mighty Mike.

With only one sub yesterday, I was a little worried what would happen if we suffered an early injury and as always on those occasions the inevitable happens, Dan Jenner suffers an early knock and has to be replaced, the only body available a baby faced 17 year old, fresh out of our Colts, making his senior debut. There however my worries ended, Callum Thomas comes on, on the wing, and then puts in a Duck of the Day performance, he hit rucks, supported the ball carrier, tackled, was safe under the high ball, he also beat more opponents than Tom, disappointing for him the fact that he didn't score even after a 50 yard break that saw him stopped yards from the line. Great game Callum hope you enjoyed it.

Some players go under the head lights, in Mike Weatherston another young man with plenty of potential we have one, a gem that needs polishing, scored a great time, how he caught the ball only he knows and would have a hat trick but for some harsh forward pass decisions. In George Birss, we have another, his team mates will know how much we'll miss him, now he's off travelling, a definite candidate for player of the season.

Diffy Duck Del, when you coach youngsters, you always tell them not to run across the pitch or back towards their own tryline, you also tell them not to shovel #hit, so when in possession inside your own twenty two and you commit all three, there can only be one outcome, to compound it by blaming one of the Colts he coaches, its fully deserved.

If we are to win the division, we'll need to have a full strength side each week, we face a rejuvenated Prenton and our biggest threat Crosby in March, we still have to win every game to ensure we do win it, here's hoping bodies will be back fit and available.

Mother Duck.