BEFORE the rugby season ends, I would like to congratulate Michael Steele, his fellow directors, the coaching staff and the players for an excellent year.

I haven't missed a match this year, partly because of the exciting play, the close calls and the occasional losses that have had me on the edge of my seat.

Although the season is not over I thought now may be a good time for those who have made the season so memorable to be recognised.

It is also a good time to remind the thousands of spectators who used to watch the team at Thrum Hall but have not transferred their support to the Shay, that we are now seeing rugby as good, if not better on occasions, than we saw in the Chris Anderson era and that if they wanted to be entertained, the Shay is the place for it.

The atmosphere in the crowd is always good humoured but there is now an air of expectancy that the team is able to go the whole way and win back its place in Super League. Because of the way that rules are manipulated by the Rugby League, we have been deprived of our opportunity this year, but it is obvious to anyone who watches the team that this is only a postponement.

My final thanks go to James Roberts; his Monday match reviews add so much to the experience.

All in all, we have an excellent set-up at the Shay and I for one can't wait for the rest of this season and the start of next.

Coun Joyce Cawthra, (Con. Brighouse)