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It probably goes some way to explaining why I'm not married, that a much-needed post-World Cup holiday has been spent filming a rugby league documentary in Featherstone.

Swapping Portugal for Post Office Road may have done little for my outward radiance, or indeed social life, but it's been a powerful reminder of the lust for life there is outside of .

are cruising towards an unlikely Championship title, led by former Leeds and Great Britain halfback Daryl Powell. They have lost just once all season and will clinch the title on Sunday by beating .

A famous rugby league club from a tiny mining town, Rovers also starred in the 1969 documentary 'The Game That Got Away', a fascinating insight into league's breakaway from union and its battle to survive as a sport in its own right. "In Featherstone, they mine coal and play rugby league," bellows the stony voiceover.

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this week serves notice that the club expects this year's successes to be just the start of their renaissance as a rugby league force.

Already standing proud at the top of despite last weekend's , the Warriors announced the signings of Storm trio Ryan Hoffman, Jeff Lima and Brett Finch in time for what they hope will be next season's title defence.

It is the start of a predictable exodus from the disgraced Mebourne, . And former Storm assistant coach Michael Maguire has taken full advantage to bolster his side even before this season finishes.

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The response to the death of Garry Purdham underlines why those involved in rugby league believe it to be a sport like no other.

Purdham, brother of Harlequins captain Rob, was murdered in last month's Cumbria shootings, one of 12 people shot dead by Derrick Bird on 2 June.

The way the rugby league community has rallied around the Purdham family at a time of grief has convinced Rob he made the right decision in to take Garry's place on the family farm.

"Harlequins have been unbelievable, the players outstanding, from the very moment I rang Mac (coach Brian McDermott) to tell him what had happened. The camaraderie there has helped my grieving," he told me.

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