Sunday's game is set to be an intriguing encounter and it's the perfect yardstick for how good you have to be to finish second in the National League. Both teams come with heavy defeats against Salford (though we would be neglecting our duty if we failed to metion that the Biffs conceded more and scored less; at home); narrow defeats against pretenders Leigh and easy wins over Cumbrian opposition.

But while Martin Hall is using the remaining games in the Late Trains Cup as a testing ground for when the real stuff starts, Oldham display their usual dillusional symptoms. Despite sitting two points below us in the group table (or next to bottom depending on your perspective), Steve Molloy said this week: 'Qualification is still possible but results will have to go our way - and that means beating Salford on their own patch." Quite.

What Molloy has failed to notice is, that both Oldham and Hornets have yet to beat a team that will compete with them in the National League - and that will be of concern to both coaches. Indeed, in our own insular battle for supremacy of the A627M, it adds a frisson of extra spice to Sunday's encounter. Not that this fixture needs it.

What is certain is that Hornets need to be quicker out of the blocks and more switched on in both attack and defence than they have in recent weeks. Molloy's assembled a useful, combative outfit up the road and they'll exploit every half-opportunity we send their way.

While the Biffs look useful from 1 to 17, it's the unholy triumverate of Gaerth Barber, Neil Roden and John Hough that keeps them ticking over - and if Hornets can outplay these guys at 6, 7 and 9, we'll give ourselves a very good, chance indeed.

At 6, Aussie Steve Doherty is beginning to find his feet after making the move from Newcastle Wests - recognised as the best CRL side in NSW. He's started playing with a bit of confidence, has a useful repertoire of distribution variants and tackles way above his size. He'll get better as the year progresses.

At 7 I think we've got arguably the best scum half in the comp. As the pack beds in around Ian Watson we should see Hornets really begin to dominate teams in the middle of the park.

At 9, Richard Pachniuk is undergoing something of a rennaissance. His busy, bustling, scrambling style is as good as ever and it earned him the Man of the Match award on Wednesday.

As always, neither fans nor players should need motivating for this one. Games against Oldham take on a real importance - and it's the real essence of what Rugby League is about. Pride in your town, pride in your team, pride in the shirt and pride in yourself.

See you there. You really would be mad to miss it.