HI, it’s Luke here.

I hope you all had a really good Easter.

To be honest, I’m sure it was a fair bit better than that experienced by the boys at the moment.

I really am feeling for them right now, because they’re doing everything they can to try and turn it around. Trust me, I’m seeing it on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, every club goes through this sort of slump at one time or another and they key is staying patient and continuing to work hard to put it right. There really is no magic formula, it’s just a case of working hard, and that’s exactly what the boys are doing.

Clearly the confidence in the camp has been affected by losing seven of the opening eight, and when it’s a case of winning breeding confidence when confidence breeds wins, these can be very difficult times.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

But if everyone can stay as positive as they possibly can, then it will only be a matter of time before that winning feeling returns – a feeling Larne Patrick and myself did experience the other night.

We were taking on a team under the captaincy John Bentley in a Question of Sport clash of the rugby codes in which the compere was Robbie Hunter-Paul and Richard Silverwood was the referee. It was all in aid of autism.

And I’m delighted to say we absolutely smashed it, or at least I did.

Larne may have taken all the glory by being the victorious captain, but I’ve been left with a sore back because I had to carry him all the way through the quiz. It felt like I was having to carry a large elephant up a very steep hill.

But that success has at least put a smile on his face, and I’m sure that’ll put an extra spring in his step ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Castleford.

Any game there is tough. You’re playing on a very small pitch, having changed in matchbox-sized sheds and having the delight of sharing the three toilets with the opposition players.

It feels like you’re taking a step back in time.

However, if you can overcome this and focus on your game, you know you’ll give yourself a chance. I know the boys can do it.

If we could do that I know how much it would lift the entire club, and I also know how big a boost it’ll personally give me as I push ahead with my testimonial plans.

I’ve now got my second event planned for Saturday, July 9, and I’m hoping that by then we’ve won enough games to get ourselves back into a top-eight spot, which is where we rightfully belong to be.

It’s going to be Sportsman Dinner compered by Sky TV’s Barrie McDermott and Terry O’Connor at the John Smith’s Stadium (from 7pm). Former Halifax amateur RL player and well-respected comedian Lea Roberts will also provide the entertainment, with tickets and further details now available from Brian Blacker at the Giants.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be announcing the names of some of the sporting celebrities who’ll be checking in for the night.

It promises to be a great evening, although the main thought on my mind right now is hopefully cheering on the boys to victory at Castleford tomorrow.

I really do see no reason at all why they can’t do it.

<p/> <p/>