Rugby League: Rochdale Hornets versus Oldham Roughyeds preview

Photo: Jackie Meredith

Law Cup: Oldham Roughyeds v Rochdale Hornets

When the fixtures were announced for the 2017 season, the majority of Rochdale Hornets fans would have been looking for one team, Oldham - Sunday's opponents at the Crown Oil Arena.

They may have already faced each other in the Law Cup during January's pre-season schedule, but when they welcome their neighbours to The Crown Oil Arena on Sunday there will be two points up for grabs.

Rochdale came out on top in the annual pre-season showdown as they ran out 24-12 winners at Bower Fold, with Lewis Palfrey lifting the trophy for the second year in a row.

This time it was in Hornets colours though, as tries from Chris Riley, Gary Middlehurst, Jordan Case and Lewis Galbraith helped them to victory.

Josh Crowley made the switch from Oldham to Hornets midway through last season and was part of the side who won on that day, but he feels it could serve as motivation to the Roughyeds.

He said: “It could probably go against us a little bit because I think they will be fired up because they will be smarting at the fact they got beat.

“I’m quietly confident but I’m trying not to think about it too much because sometimes the nerves can get the better of me if I hype a game up too much.

“Even though I decided to leave Oldham rather than being let go I still feel like I’ve got a few things to prove.

“The main thing for me though is to not make any mistakes because the Oldham players will be straight on me as soon as I do.

“At the same time I’m a confidence player and after the first few carries the nerves will go out the window and I’ll be fine.”

Miles Greenwood also featured in the Law Cup victory and moved to The Crown Oil Arena in the off-season from Championship counterparts Halifax.

The Rochdale fullback will be going up against his hometown club this weekend but is treating it like any other game.

He said: “To be honest I don’t really get caught up in all the emotional side of things, it’s just another team for me.

“We will be looking to improve our performance and hopefully again the scoreboard will take care of itself and we will come out with the two points.”

The teams have had contrasting starts to the 2017 Championship season, with Honrets setting the pace early on before settling in fifth place going into this contest, with three wins from five games.

The most recent of those wins came away from home last week, as they battled past Featherstone Rovers to edge a tight encounter 10-9 thanks to a Palfrey penalty goal two minutes from time.

It was their first win at The Big Fellas Stadium since 1999, as they stopped a two game losing streak to return to winning ways.

Oldham, however, have won just one of their opening four fixtures and have been on the wrong end of narrow defeats to Featherstone Rovers and London Broncos.

They will go into the game well rested after their home fixture with Dewsbury Rams was called off, as their adopted home Bower Fold was unable to cope with the adverse weather conditions.