Our new favourite union member

Herewith the latest from PFU Towers.

We like to start on a positive and it's great praise first off to Paul Wood (Warrington) who was involved in a Twitter spat with cheeky half-back Lee Briers about boot colouration. "Black boots all day me, pal", commented Mr Wood after Mr Briers accused him of wearing white. He continued "Only softys wear other colours than black boots". Yes they do indeed sir. Mr Wood has been a favourite of the Chairman for some time given his 100% attitude, all-out style and constant grafting. This has tipped him over into gold star territory.

The big stink at Leeds last Friday can't go uncommented for good and bad reasons. Firstly, Ian Kirke (Leeds) packed down at loose forward. We've only just processed his union membership and that's how he repays us? Treachery. Fine issued. Two fully paid-up members from the Leeds chapter took a liking to cheeky half-back Kevin Brown. First, Kylie Leuluai clobbered him late and gets brownie points for his "I got there as quick as I could" excuse. Later, Ryan Bailey had a crack at Brown after a verbal set-to which sparked a bit of a schemozzle. It was nice to see Luke O'Donnell, the Huddersfield back row, race to get involved and then stand aside, clearly realising that this is an area where union members have first dibs. It's warming to know that non-members respect the traditions of our organisation, but where were the Huddersfield union contingent? Someone needs to speak up in the way that Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown did after the game.

Brown, Nathan that is, suggested that if referees aren't going to protect his half-backs, he'd have to get his big fellers to do it instead. We hope he meant our union membership when he said that and if he's declaring open season for our members on half-backs, we can see a delegation making the trip to the Galpharm a bit more of a regular feature this season. Being a little hooker in his playing days, Brown clearly realises the benefits of protection from union membership and we hope he follows through on his pledge.

The week previously, Mr Bailey also earned himself credit for smashing Willie Mason (Hull East), but his ire may have been better directed at Rhys Lovegrove who was named at loose forward.

Wakefield seem to have their house in order boot-wise. Messrs Kyle Amor, Liam Higgins and Paul King all had appropriate footwear on at the weekend. Only Paul Johnson did not. We're watching, lad.

Some try-scoring breaches to report. Rémi Casty's (Perpignan) effort against Wigan last week was a good 20 yards beyond union guidelines and Tony Puletua (Tellins) backed up a break over 60 metres to take the scoring pass against Wakefield. Andy Lynch (Bradford) was reported to us for his try against Salford, but a review of the video evidence showed it to be well within guidelines.
Wigan's Andy Coley created a try with a kick which will trigger the usual fine and Nathan Massey (Castleford) bagged a hat-trick in an under-20s match. Just because it's not first grade doesn't mean we don't learn these things. Fine issued.

Staying with the Perpignan chapter, shop steward David Ferriol gave little Hull scrum-half Sam Obst a right wallop in the tackle which pleased our observer and we like the cut of Mickael Simon's jib, although someone needs a word about boot colouration. Perhaps Mr Wood when next those sides meet.

Finally, a sad tale of former member Paul Highton, spotted enjoying some refreshment in an Oldham hostelry the other night. "He can't drink to save his life" said our informer, something which can't be said of Steve Molloy who clearly can.


Thanks to our contributors this week, namely @W_L_Andy, @Kendall_17, @Kevbateman, @garrylad and @stumain. Keep em peeled over the ever-busy Easter period. Contact the chairman on his Twitter or leave us a comment below. Thanking you.