The defense gave an encouraging performance, stopping Penn on key plays and coming up with three interceptions.

The manufacturing sector suffered its worst quarter for nearly three years despite an "encouraging" performance in December, figures showed today.

One of the problems with many Federal programs is that they provide payments without encouraging performance or efficiency.

It was an encouraging performance by Saarland, who had never quite lived up to expectations.

But those encouraging performances were a long time coming.

It was warmly received and ran for an encouraging 120 performances.

The will of man was not giving an encouraging performance.

Despite the result, it was an encouraging performance by Ipswich.

Despite the late fade, it was an encouraging performance for the Rangers, who got an effective effort from their three top lines.

It was an encouraging performance showing we can come back when it counts (unlike last year).