Cleckheaton 0 - 35 West Park St Helens

Just when you think things couldn't get any worse, they do. Last Saturday effectively marked the low point of a season which began with optimism, changed into realism and since Christmas has degenerated into utter pessimism. This performance has to be put into context. Not only were West Park five points below Cleck in the league, they hadn't won a game away from home all season. Fundamentally this was a game between two sides devoid of confidence. At 4.30 on Saturday one side had regained a certain amount of self respect. As for the hosts, the little matter of playing with pride both for the club and for themselves seemed to be severely lacking.

The match itself was full of mistakes, a certain amount of endeavour but very short on composure and direction. The only score in a scrappy first half was a 20th minute penalty from West Park centre Mike Winstanley. The second half is best forgotten. Park extended their lead in the 45th minute with a further Winstanley penalty and when full back Rob Hitchmough provided the best piece of skill in the match with a forty metre drop goal, Cleck's heads went down.

The last quarter of the match saw the ever patient Cleck supporters either leave for the sanctity of the clubhouse or stand in silent disbelief. It had taken an hour for West Park to work out that with more composure on the ball the game was there for the taking. Cleck had no answer, players were searching for scapegoats and West Park ran in four tries, three of which were converted.

The Cleck youngsters had been taught a hard lesson. Raw talent needs direction and there needs to be leaders both on and off the field to adjust a style of play if required. Other than Lance Hamilton who still puts in the hard yards, few players are doing themselves justice. Having ability is only one part of a team's make up. Having spirit and heart is another part but having desire and a collective sense of responsibility finishes it off. Once more line out possession was minimal yet before Christmas this wasn't an area for concern. The defence appears to become very brittle in the second half when the whole team seems to run out of steam. A few questions need to be asked if the rest of the season which includes away games against three of the top five in the league, is not to become an embarassing re-run of last year. From a player and coaches point of view this should be a time to prove the doubters wrong and to formulate a way of building confidence through pride in performance.