STAND by for a typically tense and dynamic derby-day clash when Oldham lock horns with Rochdale Hornets at the Vestacare Stadium this Sunday, July 10, kick-off 3pm.
Hornets won 34-18 at the Crown Oil Arena back on Good Friday in April, but with Luke Nelmes available again after his one-match ban and with an urgency to keep snapping at Hunslet heels in the play-off race, Stu Littler’s men will need no telling of the importance of this derby showdown.
Among fans of a Roughyeds persuasion, the last thing anyone wants to see is a Hornets double and hopefully that will be reflected in the home performance.
Oldham have just had a blank weekend, while Rochdale won 42-34 in a high-scoring affair at Midlands Hurricanes. Other results this last weekend were: Keighley 86, West Wales 0; North Wales Crusaders 30, London Skolars 16; Cornwall 24, Hunslet 36; Swinton 12, Doncaster 26.
This weekend, there will be three games on Saturday and two more on Sunday.
SATURDAY: Cornwall v Doncaster; London Skolars v Keighley Cougars; Midlands Hurricanes v North Wales Crusaders;
SUNDAY: Hunslet v West Wales Raiders; OLDHAM v Rochdale Hornets.
Rougheds are currently in seventh place — one outside the play-off zone — but they are now six points behind Hunslet with a game in hand.
Their nine remaining games are against Rochdale, Doncaster, North Wales Crusaders, London Skolars and Hunslet at home and against West Wales Raiders, Midlands Hurricanes, Cornwall and Swinton Lions away;
By way of comparison, Hunslet have a game fewer to play against West Wales, Skolars, Hurricanes and Donny at home and against Crusaders, Keighley, Swinton Lions and Oldham on unfamiliar territory.
Our last two games against Swinton Lions at Heywood Road on August 28 and against Hunslet at the Vestacare Stadium on September 4 could be the all-important ones.
