SATURDAY was a new experience for me at Otley and not one I want to make a habit of.

I pulled up the day before the match with a hamstring strain and was not able to take part in the 40-23 victory.

I am not the best of spectators and when the home side were making a comeback in the second half, I was a bit on edge to say the least.

The frustrating part of being on the sidelines is you know you cannot affect things and as a captain, that is what you want most. I thought Nathan Carter was excellent though, he got through so much work and has really given coach John Brain a few things to think about.

I'm sure Nathan wanted to remind everyone what he is capable of. He is a very good player and it has obviously been difficult for him so far this season. That is part and parcel of a squad system and he has shown that if you are good enough, you'll get your chance.

The problem for me now is get fit and get back in the team. That is not so straightforward when you have Nathan performing so well in my position and Ben Clarke captaining the team. Ben and Craig Chalmers ran the game well at Otley especially when we were under pressure at 25-23.

I don't think I'll be fit in time for our weekend clash at Moseley although I'm hoping I'll be back for our next league match against Bracknell.

Moseley will provide a stern test for the lads but I'm confident they can come through it. Players such as Nathan, who were here last year, are well aware that Moseley beat Worcester last season and that defeat probably cost them promotion in the end. They will want to prove a point in a game which is also a local derby. It has all the ingredients of a tough game and probably one for the spectators - including me!

You tend to take it for granted that you are fit but when you are forced out of the action it makes you realise how frustrating life is when you cannot train or play. I was really frustrated watching the boys warm-up for game at Otley, you feel a bit redundant really. The main thing was, though, that we won the game and came away with the bonus point. Ten points from trips to Wakefield and Otley can't be bad.

I think when the Bracknell game comes I'll be raring to go and, in a funny way, coming back from injury can be a positive process. I'll certainly have my batteries re-charged. The injury actually originates from a back problem picked up at London Welsh and I have to be careful everything is sorted before I come back because if the back is not cured, the hamstring problem will keep recurring.

Even though I won't be involved at Bournbrook, I'll be giving the boys all the support possible because this tie is about our professional pride and is very important for the supporters.

A Midlands derby, as we have already found out this season, is a tough prospect but we must win not just for us but for the fans who follow us all over the country. We appreciate all the support and it's in games like this we have to show our mettle for them as much as us.