Batley's been a bit of a graveyard, it seems. Not too many years ago Shane Tupperware's Hornets needed to win at Batley to be crowned third division champions. We lost ignominiously to Pete Regan's side (he said to me after the game 'That'll show the b*stards' in reference to a Hornets board that had cut his tenure criminally short).
This time, the game's of equal - if not greater importance. With a points difference deficit of only 32 on the Biffos, if they choke at Hull KR and we get a bagful, we could finish above them. Incentive enough for anyone, one would think. But Batley could have a say in things too.
Still stuck in 13th, they've continued to confound with their poor form. Last week they were on the wrong end of a major tanning at Barrow. 21-12 down at half time, a score-free second half from the Bulldogs saw them leak a further 29 points to sink to a 50-12 defeat.
But on the north face of Mount Pleasant, they're a different proposition altogether. Batley sides have always played the slope to great advantage and how many times have we muttered "we need at least another score" five minutes before half time when playing down the hill?
Batley's combination of Mark Cass and Glen Tomlinson at 6 and 7 would trouble most sides in this division if allowed to gain the upper hand, while up-front Jeff Wittenburg continues to prove a rather large handful.
But, with respect to Batley, Sunday's about Hornets crowning what's been a fantastic season.
As we all got soaked at Workington back in December, no-one could have imagined a top eight finish - never mind top four and the possibility of third. Martin Hall has worked a minor Rugby League miracle, adding experience and quality to a side that had perpetually failed to ignite its potential. He's fostered a tangible team spirit that sees the side as prepared to scramble on defence as it is to throw the ball around on attack. And when we click, we've proved that no-one in this division can live with us (with the possible exception of Widnes, who got us on an awful off-day).
So, for anyone who's enjoyed Hornets performances this season, the trip to Batley is essential. It'll be a real celebratory atmosphere and the more we take the better it'll be.
When we went there with Tupaea, we did the club proud. We've even more reason to be proud of our club this weekend. So, bring ticker tape, balloons, party poppers and your Hornets shirt. And bring a mate too, it'll be a great afternoon. See you there.
Our man at Red Hall previews Sunday's game : BULLDOGS coach Paul Storey had to discard the idea of ringing the changes for the final game of the season against top four side Rochdale.
Storey was an angry man after watching his side go down without so much as a murmur at Barrow last week and had "hard words'' with his players in training.
"I was shocked by our performance and that's no disrespect to Barrow. The last time we played so badly was against Doncaster, so I am hoping that we can turn it round, if only for the fans that travelled to Barrow.
"Rochdale are the form team at the moment and will be a tough proposition, but if we go into the game with the right attitude we can pull off a result'' said Storey, who looks set to bring Paul Hicks in at prop for Alan Boothroyd, who picked up a rib injury.
Hornets, who are guaranteed fourth spot after their win at Doncaster, may rest ball-handling prop Danny Sculthorpe ahead of the top eight play-offs,
Coach Martin Hall is concerned that his 21-year-old prospect needs to re-charge his batteries after playing in every match so far this season and could well hand the open side role to the experienced Joe Berry.
"Danny has been an inspiration all season and we need him to be properly fit for the play-offs,'' said Hall, who turned down suggestions that Rochdale could pick up the Team of the Season award.
"We have come a long way since I took over as coach, but there is still a long way to go before the season ends.''
With powerful winger Marlon Billy also within touching distance of the club's try scoring record of 30 set by Jack Williams 70 years ago Hornets will be keen to hand him every opportunity to stake his own individual claim.