Apologies, but not much of a preview ahead of Hornets trip to Bawtry Road School playing fields for Hornets' re-arranged game against Sheffield.
As observers of the game will know, the Eagles have had a pretty awful season playing at the Whtebank of the Championship, Owlerton. They've struggled for home form on its postage stamp of a pitch littered with speedway track cinders and dog-shit. Indeed, if Hornets had played them there on the opening day of the season as planned, there was every chance of an early upset - especially given that Sheffield had had virtually no pre-season and had never played on their own field.
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| Sheffield, Wednesday: Balls |
Fast forward to August, however, and they've negotiated a move to the Sheffield Hallam University sports ground, which gives them the rare chance to play on a decent, full-sized pitch - having had 99% of a season to get their act together.
Needless to say, here at TLCRF80mins we're pretty pissed off with Sheffield - work commitments mean we won't be there tonight and, because we're travelling with work tomorrow, there'll be no match report. Again another apology.
So all we can do is wish everyone making the trip the best of luck. i would be sweet and fitting if we could spoil their big night on their new home ground.
Here's the RFL's Official Preview
Sheffield Eagles coach Mark Aston has urged his troops to “put on another show” when they host Rochdale Hornets in Wednesday’s Kingstone Press Championship fixture.
The match, which will be played at Bawtry Road, provides an opportunity for in-form Sheffield to claim a fourth consecutive win. Eagles were 36-28 winners against Whitehaven on Sunday, and could climb into fifth place with victory against Rochdale.
Hornets coach Ian Talbot said: “Sheffield are a very dangerous team.
“They always come good towards the back end of the season, and they’ve started to string a few results together in the last month. They’ll be a threat to anybody who plays them in the play-offs.”
Talbot, whose side are also backing up after playing on Sunday, added: “It’s a very difficult task for part-time players, but we’ll go there and give it our best shot. We were frustrated we didn’t get a win on Sunday, but we’ll dust ourselves down and get on with things."
“We’ve got three games to go, and we’re trying to make sure we finish above Swinton. Taking something out of this trip to Sheffield would help us do that.”
Michael Knowles and Peter Green could come into contention for the hosts, while Hornets pair Sean Casey and Jordan Case are both unavailable.
