What an advert for the game! Saturday's confrontation with Blackpool at ???????? Road had all the credentials of a top of the table clash - a big passionate crowd, two skilled and highly committed teams and a game which ebbed and flowed - the result of which was only made certain when the fat lady finally sang.

The neutral observer must wonder what the standard at the top of the division is if this is the standard at the bottom. History will record that Lancaster had the dubious honour of winning the inaugural wooden spoon in the NW TotalRL.Com conference. Not for the first time, we allowed our opponents to build up a first half lead that ultimately proved insurmountable. The second half was comfortably won by Lancaster, but the elusive competition points tantalisingly remained one score out of reach.

Blackpool know they escaped with the points by the skin of their teeth and with the help of a couple of questionable refereeing decisions. The turning point of the match occurred as the game drew to its climax. Lancaster were pressing hard for the points in the final few minutes, just one score down, and the ref penalised Lancaster's try scoring winger Martin Pike - the smallest guy on the pitch - for running with a raised forearm. The Blackpool players were as bemused as the Lancaster players were astounded, but gladly accepted the sanctity of possession which virtually guaranteed them the points. However, we are all too aware that we cannot blame the referee for the numerous missed tackles in the first half. That's the real reason why the points were lost.

Shaun Humphries and Dave McVernon again made considerable contributions to the cause, but overall, the aggression and sheer will to win which the entire Blackpool team showed in the first half meant the Sea Eagles were good value for their victory. With the temperature soaring into the high twenties, the Lancaster team showed real character not to collapse in such testing conditions.

Finally I would like to thank the supporters that travelled down to Blackpool. It seemed like the entire embankment behind the posts were cheering us on throughout the game. Considering this is our first season for nearly a century, and that results throughout the season haven't really been favourable, the amount of support we have built up has been remarkable.

With the regular season now finished, we have a break next week before the play-offs start the week after. We have another away-day trip to the seaside, this time to play Bridlington (Sat 2nd Aug, 12.30PM) from the North East conference.