The team gave as good as they can. It was a very committed and organised performance. But it was not enough.

Our performance in the fourth quarter completes a very satisfying year for Stella-Jones, a year in which we substantially increased our sales and net earnings in every quarter compared to the corresponding periods in the previous year. Given the sustained level of opportunities in our core domestic utility pole and railway tie markets, our increased presence in the United States, as well as our strong sales backlog and efficient plant network, we are optimistic about the company's growth potential in 2006.

Wow, what a tremendous performance, particularly compared with the previous year,

It's a performance-driven culture. Everybody likes to be busy.

We have to be, and we will be, a performance-based series. You have to perform. You know what, the drivers ... don't want to limp in on a fan vote. They want to earn their way in or not earn their way in.

It's very even and you can analyse the group in whatever way you like. You can look at us and say we've two home games to go with a game in Cyprus in between. Then you can look at France and say they are capable of winning three matches with the fantastic players they have.