DEBUTS are interesting occurrences. (From Warrington Guardian)

DEBUTS are interesting occurrences.

With Mike Parsons

They are eagerly anticipated by competitors and supporters. A first time appearance can provide a taste of what is to come and can be quite exciting, which is why I keep an eye on them.

Sometimes debuts pass by without note, occasionally there are some dazzlers and, in contrast, there are flops every now and again too.

Of course, a debut does not always give a true indication of a player's full capabilities.

For example, Brian Bevan did not score a try when he pulled on a Warrington Rugby League Club first team jersey for the first time. But he went on to become the world record try scorer.

However, some debuts do provide an insight of the talent that is to unfold.

Looking back at some great names over the years, ex-England footballer Kevin Keegan scored on his debut for Liverpool against Nottingham Forrest in 1971.

Irishman Barry McGuigan launched his professional boxing career by beating Selwyn Bell by a second round knockout. And American tennis player John

McEnroe, at the tender age of 18, reached the semi-finals of the men's singles in his first shot at Wimbledon.

Perhaps the best debut of 2004 belonged to Wayne Rooney. The teenager could have been forgiven for a non-descript display under the pressure of his high profile signing from Everton. The script could not have been written as he opened his Manchester United career with a stunning hat-trick of strikes in

the European Champions League clash with Fenerbahce at Old Trafford on September 28.

On the other side of the coin, midfielder Tim Cahill's debut for Everton this year was bizarre. He scored the winning goal at Manchester City and was then sent off for raising his shirt over his head in the celebrations.

On the Warrington scene, Ian Turner, on his debut for Grange Cricket Club's first team during the summer, took seven wickets for 18 runs off 15 overs and his feat included a hat-trick too.

And then there was Karrie Hawitt's outstanding performance. The Warrington Athletics Club runner was the first Briton home when she made her international cross country debut in the under 20s world championships in

Brussells in March. Young Lloyd O'Brien would have been pleased with his first outing too. He was player of the match for Grappenhall Giants under 11s

Rugby League team against Hindley last month.

And of all the levels of all the sports in the whole world, the most amazing debut I have seen happened right here in Warrington.

On Sunday, July 23, 2000, winger Rob Smyth became the first player, and remains the only player, to score four tries on his league debut for Warrington Rugby League Club.

In fairytale fashion his four tries came in the opening 24 minutes as Warrington built up a 20-0 lead against Huddersfield Giants.

It doesn't get much better than that when you are on loan and seeking to impress in order to gain a full-time contract.

Amazingly though, the debut had a sour ending for Smyth. Warrington's performance collapsed and Huddersfield won the second half 38-0 to steal the game 44-24.