As the Leythers march, seemingly invincibly, towards their Super League goal, most in NL1 would agree that it’s their turn this year.

Ex-Hornet Darren Abram has taken to coaching the side with quite possibly the heaviest burden of expectation in the RFL with impressive aplomb and he’s fine-tuned an already relentless Leigh side into a lean mean Rugby League machine.

With a ‘points for’ almost 150 better than 2nd placed Whitehaven and, just, the second stingiest defence in NL1, Leigh don’t just steamroller sides; they don’t give you a great deal of chances either.

There’s no doubt that the John Duffy / Tommy Martyn axis provides the momentum for Abram’s side. Duffy’s ability to fashion a break out of nothing, allied to Martyn’s still exceptional vision and reading of the game gives Leigh a potent attacking force.

Up front, the pack is fuelled by a quality back three of Dave Larder, Dan Potter and Ian Knott. All pacy, all with good hands - all a bloody handful if you let them run.

Hornets certainly have their work cut out at Hilton Park on Sunday, with some necessary juggling of the backline the biggest of the Bobster’s headaches. Platty’s rebroken jaw forces a change at full back, whilst centres Dave Alstead and Mark McCully - both on loan from Leigh - are unable to play under the terms of their agreements.

Elsewhere Goulding - and Hornets fans - are just crossing everything that we come through the game with no injuries. With five home games due, we need our best 17 available for the run-in that will make or break our season.

Few - if any - NL1-watchers will expect Hornets to win on Sunday. Indeed, Abram has publicly warned his side against complacency this week. So - as we have often done in the past - we travel more in hope than expectation. What we do know is that: a) we’re a whole lot better than we were when Leigh rammed 70 past us earlier in the season; b) whichever 17 pulls on the jersey, we’ll get 100% from them and; c) if the unexpected did happen, you’d kick yourself for missing it.

As we’ve said countless times already this term, this Hornets side deserves all the support we can give it. So get yourself over to Leigh on Sunday and wear your colours with pride.