Hally’s mid season injury crisis seems to be easing - if only slightly. Latham Tawhai, Damian Ball, and skipper Matt Calland are back in training and should figure in the final group game of the Buddies National Cup versus Hunslet Hawks on Sunday. With a shed-load of points required, the more first team regulars we have available the better given recent weeks’ underperformances.

Martin Hall said: "We have had a horrendous run of injuries in recent weeks, but to have these players back is a boost. On the positive side a couple of lads have taken their chance superbly and have pushed themselves in to the reckoning for regular first team football."

Ever the optimist, he went on, "We remain very upbeat as we head in to the final group round of the National Cup and, whilst we need a big performance against Hunslet, we are very optimistic we can make the finals. That is certainly our goal and what we have talked about in training this week."

Let’s hope we see talk transformed into action. We're due for one.