Sund... er... Saturday's Coming
Doncaster come to Spotland on Saturday for what promises to be another full-blooded NL1 encounter. Doncaster currently sit 4th in the table on 16 points and will come looking to keep the pressure on Featherstone in the scramble for a favourable playoff draw.
They come following a trip to Hilton Ark where they gave Super League pretenders Leigh an almighty scare before going down 46-32. Having trailed 34-10 at half time, they clawed their way back to 34-32 before two late tries took the game from their grasp -the lesson here being; if you give them a chance to get into the game, they'll take it with relish.
St John Ellis' is an uncompromising outfit that'll out-muscle you up-front, prise you open and punish you out wide given half a chance. Half backs Graham Holroyd and ex-Hornet Chris Hough provide the momentum for the big pack to capitalise on. Up front, king-sized Gareth Handford and Maea David (coaxed out of 'retirement' in *nion) provide the horse-power for the back three of Martin Ostler, Peter Green and Martin Moana.
Chuck Jimmy Walker, Jonny Woodcock and Marlin Billy into the mix and you've got a very useful side.
Indeed, Hornets will have to be at their best to take the points out of this one. There's no doubt that the Bobster and Sean Gartland will have complemented a heavy week on the tackling bags with a reiteration that completing our sets will win us the game.
The bad news is that we'll have to do it without Gareth Price. Handed a five match ban for his indiscretion in the Oldham derby, he'll sit out the season. It does open the door for either Rob Ball or Mark Costello to come into the squad and could see Lee Hansen start the game.
Elsewhere, the Bobster will look to maintain the momentum that a settled side offers. Eradicating the errors of the Keighley game will be high on the priority list - and we've seen what this side can do when it applies itself to the task.
In our push up the National League, Saturday's game is a very important one. Doncaster are, arguably, the strongest of our run-in opponents and a win would give the whole club a major boost as we scrap for assured safety.
Yes, yes - we know that Saturday's a bad day, but we'd urge every Hornets fan to make every effort to get to the game. Contests with Doncaster are never less than entertaining and this one is a vital must-win.
The support over the last few weeks has been tremendous and it's important for us to maintain our momentum too. We are all in this together - and we can make a difference. So be there if you can on Saturday: your club needs you!
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