Well, next up are The Hornets in our final match before the split. It is yet another must win game and one that really is the game of the season so far. It would be no good beating the top teams if we don't get the two points against Rochdale. There is the dilemma though, we must be fully focused and play as though we are up against the top of the table. I feel it will be a case of if we get our mindset right we should have the ability to do it and take a top four spot. I'll go for a Fax win, 32v12. Up The Fax!

A win will do me, hopefully a lot of travel last week will impact their preparation for our game and we take the win, who cares by how many unless it is about 250.
I’m sure there’s will be total focus for this game as RM has shown great professionalism in the latter half of the season.

Up the Fax, bring it home.

Fax win by 18. The lads know what's at stake. Leigh will likely beat Sheffield and Fev will have a chance at Toronto with Toronto already assured a place in middle 8's. Rochdale will be dogged but we should have too much class.

Good to see respect shown for Rochdale and rightly so. They really have had it tough recently, though, with results as follows ……….

Lost 52-10 at Toronto
Lost 32-54 at home against Leigh
Beat Swinton 28-26 at home
Lost 80-4 at Fev
Lost 70-14 at home against Toulouse
Lost 68-0 at London

So it would be "very disappointing" if we were to lose, especially with their hooker Ben Moores out, but remember Oldham, Dewsbury and the near miss v Swinton, we've got to approach this match as if Rochdale are the best team in the league. They were "tricky" at the start of the season when they had use of Warrington's Harvey Livett (who was the stand out player when we met).

I notice Jack Smith is the ref. I didn't think this was allowed because I thought he is the son of former Halifax ref Jim Smith?

As above.

Leigh yes.
London yes.
Fev have been doing it hurt recently especially losing both first choice half's, one is disruptive enough but both is a significant blow.

Fax should have plenty, only worries, as stated before complacency and waiting to hear of any injury news with Salty the biggest concern from the ones that I could see carrying knocks towards the end of the game but at least we have cover if required.

Fax by 20+

RM will have the guys 'on message'

I would put the same team out as last week. Keep them Playing together and there is no game next week. So 100% effort for a good win and weeks rest. Then bring on the qualifiers

I don’t think this is an issue these days given that Chris Kendall refs a giants games and he is a Hudds lad and was even in their academy for some time.

I think the Leigh situation brings reality home. The money for top 4 needs to get in the bank fullstop or it will mean hard decisions at some future date If they play anywhere near as well as they have done it's a win. Keep the same team for this one as far as possible they have earned the right to finish off the job . Just don't try and score off every play , get up in the right half of the field first then score. Cautious game and no daft passes.

Are rumours true that Rochdale have signed Leigh's Matty Dawson, Ben Reynolds, Liam Hood, Drew Hutchinson and Adam Walne? Sunday could be a bit trickier than we thought if true!

Oh, and my mate Frank has just told me they've also swooped in and highjacked the Thompsons as well as Hansen. Mind you, Frank has had a few bevvies and is smirking when he's telling me all this!

Castleford have dropped Matt Cook, Grant Millington, Jake Webster and Lewis Peachey for their match at Widnes. Anyone care to guess if any of these will fill in for Adam this Sunday? Millington would be nice!

If it is remotely true I couldn't think of a better motivating factor for our team to go get them and raise everyone's interest

Not sure of the merit of the last 2 posts...hopefully DR is a thing of the past for this club.Same line-up
named for Sunday bar Sion getting the nod in Adam's absence.

Squad just announced. Only change is Jones coming in for Tangata. Interesting to see Leigh making 11 changes to their own squad with 13 of the 19 having squad numbers over the number 17.

Time for Jones to take his chance with both hands. Good luck lad retain the ball , no penalties and give them hell.

I don't think Jones will be included in the team. More likely to put Woodburn-Hall or Heaton in the backs and Butler and Barber in the pack.

Regarding Rochdale, they'll have at least 3 changes this Sunday with Bennion returning to Salford, Syme returning to us, and Moores out suspended.

Sounds good but I still think they'll beat us.

I think Sheffield will smell blood, griff. A couple of wins on the bounce and a third win will put to bed any lingering fears of the drop as well as scalping Leigh in their own back yard, not to mention that Leigh's remaining squad must be somewhat dejected.

FD , I think you may be in for a shock, yeah we are down, but most Definatly NOT OUT, we will field a decent squad, all of who want to play and will feel they have something to prove,yeah a few have left , but a fair few have stayed for the battle.

The crowd will be a decent size,I've heard a possible investor is hovering around

I love a battle as do most Leythers, you never know,I'm a gambler though and would truly bet on a Leigh win on Sunday.Leigh by 8 , Charlie knows.

Maybe so, Charlie, and the best of luck. But I think there's been too much turmoil at Leigh this week and Sheffield aren't easy beats. Sheffield by 10.

Leigh by 20. Huddshay knows!

Not much for us to play for, really. Despite "Every Minute Matters", it's still the same old story of small divisions + repeat fixtures = a lot of dead rubber games.

Swinton and Rochdale are five points adrift which is a big deficit to catch up. Making the Shield Final will probably be a mathematical impossibility for the bottom six in a fotnit's time.



It's no coincidence that the most interesting eight is the middle eight. That's the eight where everyone resets to zero and, consequently, where most can happen.

FD I've just seen our squad of 19 for the Sheff game and it's a lot better than expected,I'm c of identity of a Leigh win, and a good crowd to boot,Leythers are very hardy people,we will be OK.
I would want Fax to do well, but not tomorrow,hope you understand,but I do predict a Fax win, I'm hoping maybe a shock at Barrow, sometimes 100 /1 shots win, though not often,Derek has gone now , and I'm hoping for a familiar face to surface, you never know.Take care.

Good afternoon Pete, I hope you are Di are well?Nice to see you have faith in us

I've seen our 19 man squad for tomorrow and it's not to bad.Tomorrow I will raise a glass in Franks memory,and hope the lads do him proud.I may even venture to the Shay for the middle 8s this season depending on the fixtures, but you never know we may even be in them.

.Charlie hopes.