Leading scorer in the competition, Hough was an absentee when Rochdale won 20-10 at the Mount in early February during the clubs' only previous clash this season.

Hornets fans will hardly need reminding that the scrum-half also landed the match-winning field goal in the Buddies National Cup meeting a couple of weeks ago.

Honours have been shared evenly over the last decade with Rochdale shading victories by seven to six, although their points aggregate of 244 is surpassed by Batley's total of 313.

The scoring trend has continued into this season with Bulldogs averaging 35 points per match, but this statistic is countered by Hornets' mean defence which has conceded only eleven points per game.

Batley's last away victory at Rochdale was by the impressive margin of 28-2 back in September 1994, since when the home team has finished ahead in the last five meetings by 28-18, 32-10, 34-10, 28-20 and 26-24.

Warren Ayres and Darren Robinson have appeared and scored in all seven fixtures this season with Hough only missing out in the aforementioned clash with Wednesday's opposition.

A midweek date allows respective coaches Neil Flanagan and Brian t Kellett greater freedom of selection. Hornets' large squad has permitted the inclusion of a number of seasoned professionals, with promising youngsters such as centre Lee Wilson and hooker Andy Wallace benefiting from the experience. Former winger Martin Bunce has led by example from open side prop and shared the captaincy duties with the long serving Rob Hall.

Bulldogs meanwhile have recruited from last season's Huddersfield and Leeds Alliance set-ups and hope to have free scoring fullback Chris Beever free from injury. Playmaker Ady Leek, dynamic hooker Kris Lythe and rampaging props Mark and Marvin Cox have all made outstanding contributions on the road to the final.

Leading try scorers: 6 Marvin Cox, Robinson; 5 Hough, Marion Miller Goals: 27 Hough, 18 Ayres Points: 73 Hough, 52 Ayres, 31 Robinson