Merseyside Police closed the motorway at Eastham yesterday and gave their colleagues a escort to the game, who's paying the bill? Tax payers foot the bill again?

Merseyside Police's recruitment drive, was alive and kicking at Malone Field yesterday, teatime Friday, they had seven players, come game time yesterday, after a few phone calls and a lot of begging, borrowing and stealing (sorry didn't mean the last bit) we faced seventeen. With the Mavs game at Old Parks called off because of the weather, players from both teams agreed to bolster the Police team, throw in a policeman from Caldy and a very good Rugby League playing Policeman and the game suddenly didn't look as easy as it could have been.

It's never easy playing against your teammates and with six of them playing against you and out to prove a point, the Police team started out as if they were detemined to inflict the Ducks first home defeat of the season, big ball carrying forwards and slick handling in their backs had them on the front foot from the start, it was then no surprise when they scored the first try of the game.

If the Ducks have one thing, it's definitely team spirit and after waking up to the fact that we were actually in for a tough game despite having a strong side out, we started to exert some form of control on the game, a fine try from Tom Campbell, a great try from the ever alert Liam McGowan, Dan Jenner sniping round the blindside from a ruck and John Bentham crashing over on his first game for the Ducks this season gave us a 22-5 halftime lead.

The never say die attitude of our opposition got them back in the game just after the restart, 22-12, then a try from Ben Tagg eased the nerves, a try from Del for the Police (won't drop him again, "serves you right!" He said) and the games back in the balance, a real nip and tuck battle, no quarter asked, none given. Relief and it truly was, came in the the form of Sam Bramhall, finishing off a nice move with a typical wingers try. Correct me if I'm wrong but this true clubman as played 1st team, Mavs and Ducks in the last few weeks, just wants to play and doesn't care who for!

A special mention and an apology must go to Ben O'Connor making his senior debut yesterday, waiting on the sidelines patiently to go on, then the moment arrives, " on you go son, on the wing," now here's the problem, the Ducks are up against it, under pressure, and his Colts coach brings him on to play alongside him, the said man is playing for the POLICE and STEALS my last sub ( I am pressing charges), steam coming out my ears, the nerves are getting the better of me, I'm not a happy man, seriously the game was that close at the time, we then go down to 14 men, apologises Ben, you did get the last 5 minutes for us but not the best way to do it.

Duck of the Day went to Liam McGowan, understanding throughout, great try, typical nuggety scrum half performance. If anyone ever reads these reports, they will have noted that, the young Colts coming into the side have actually won Duck of the Day on numerous occasions, fairly recently, the future looks bright, long may it continue.

Diffy Duck, now here's one for you, he wasn't even playing, picture it, it's #issing down, you're soaked, been in work since 7.30am, haven't been home as the motorway was closed, covered in mud, cold and carrying all the bags and balls back into the club, a man comes out the clubhouse, having had his lunch at the club, a few pints and generally feels quite chilled, he then states the obvious, "Neil the flags and post pads are still out on the pitch," he didn't realise how close he was to receiving the big # # tablet. Stupid I might be, blind I'm not, bring them in yourself if it bothers you that much.

Mother Duck.