Whether it was the delay to kick off caused by traffic problems on the M56, us still being in holiday mode or simply the fact that it was just the first game of the season, I'm not quite sure. What I do know is we never actually got going on Saturday, everything we did seemed to be at walking pace, whether it be line outs, set moves or even our decision making, that said we were always in the game, should have scored early on when we were camped on Carrington's try line and should also have scored later in the game with the try line beckoning only for white line fever to take over.

What we can't afford to do, no matter what level we're playing at is to concede the amount of penalties we did and therefore the amount of territory, the game needs to be played in the right areas of the pitch and can't be if every time you get there, you give the opposition an easy out.

Our goal this season is getting promotion again, we've had a great pre-season, we need to back ourselves, we have a young side, we're fit, we need to play the game at our pace, not the oppositions.

Positives from yesterday, Kris Lewis, some great running lines and great defence, Eddie Brown, drafted in late, thrown in at hooker and not looking out of place.

Negatives, there's always some, two stupid sin binnings, Con, I can understand the frustration after someone's just kicked you but pick your moment, don't let the red mist descend. Dom Nev, if you have to run 30 yards to get involved, do something when you get there, don't just get a yellow card for being the Daffy Dick.

Ben Sadler's debut for the Ducks means he gets the crate in next week, wilful abandonment of the team mascot, mortal sin mate.

After speaking to the Carrington lads after the game, they assured me, we are capable of holding our own at this level, for me that's not our GOAL, we want promotion at the very least, our season starts properly next week away at Wirral.

Mother Duck.