After a couple of tough weeks on the road, we return to The Cross, aiming to make it nine wins on the spin and 16 victories from the 17 games played this season. With that in mind, we realise that aim is not going to be easy as we're in for a tough game against one of the best sides in the competition, and personally, I think our trip to Milford earlier in the year was one of the toughest, if not the toughest games we've been involved in this season. They are a big team who keep comig all day, but in the first meeting this season we perhaps lasted the better in the sweltering conditions, which is a great sign of our fitness and durability, and this was also evident in the come from behind victories in the last couple of weeks.

As mentioned, we've had two really tough away games at Blackbrook and Hull Dockers this past fortnight. On paper to the everyday fan both games looked a formality as our opponents are struggling at the wrong end of the table and we are flying high at the same time, and straightforward wins were perhaps expected, but both games were in the balance right down to the final ten minutes as our opponents fought tool and nail to secure vital points in their battles against relegation. With the severely depleted squads that we fielded for both matches, and in the face of tenacious and dogged challenges, we showed great character to come away the two vital competition points on both occasions. Both games have challenged the strength of our squad with numerous players injured or unavailable in both fixtures, so a massive shout to everyone who's played their part in the last few weeks. We had our backs against the wall in both games, which also shows the character of the squad and a ‘never give up’ attitude. There is also the thought that you get used to winning and that you find an inner strength and will to get over the line.

Milford sit in third and probably feel slightly hard done to that they are five points off the automatic promotion spots when they've only dropped seven points all year so we know they are coming here desperate for the win to close the gap between themselves and the top two placed sides in the division. Over the past few weeks Hunslet have kept on winning just like ourselves and have now closed the gap on our points difference to be behind us by just five points. What has been impressive for them is to nil both of their Leeds rivals, the Marlins and the Warriors in their past two fixtures whilst at the same time scoring 52 unanswered points. Therefore we need the win today to keep us ahead of our closest challengers and to stay on track for our ultimate goal, which is to be promoted as champions.

We have six games left and we will be treating them all as Grand Finals. Training has been tough the past couple of weeks due to people being either unavailable or injured, but we're starting to get back on track this week as players are returning to full fitness. It’s a tough old competition and the weekly physical bashings take their toll. Getting bodies fit and available is a tough task, and I would like to give a big thanks to Laura and the other medical staff who do a great job in looking after us and getting the busted bodies back on the paddock.