NATIONAL LEAGUE ONE - Elimination Play-offs

ROCHDALE HORNETS v WHITEHAVEN

RECORD-breaking winger Marlon Billy and tough-tackling centre Matt Calland are poised to hand Hornets a massive boost ahead of their National League One Elimination clash with Whitehaven.
Billy, whose blistering pace and boundless energy was the backbone of Rochdale's healthy run last season, has had an indifferent campaign on the scoring front, but is still rated as a dangerous proposition, while Calland's return has stirred the Spotland fans into believing that it could be their season after years of under-achieving.
After finishing third in the table for the third year in succession, Rochdale are on the brink of another shot at glory, with coach Martin Hall living in hope that fate will be on their side this time.
"We have yet to get it right in defence, but if we keep scoring more than the opposition, that's what matters most,'' said Hall, who has slight injury doubts with hooker Richard Pachniuk (groin) and loose forward Damian Ball (dead leg).
"I think Salford must be the favourites to go through to the Grand Final, but it's all about who they take on when they get there. And any one of three other clubs will give them a run for their money,'' revealed Hall, who feels that Hull KR's victory last week must put them close to taking over the driving seat in that department.
"It proved that Salford are not invincible and gives the rest of us hope,'' he said.
With the mighty Paul Southern and skilful Paul Smith steering Hall's ship from the front and clever Ian Watson forming a brilliant halfback partnership with Radney Bowker, it could be that Hornets have the edge over Whitehaven.
But the Cumbrians have pulled their game together over recent weeks and are beginning to hit form again.
With no injury problems facing phlegmatic coach Steve McCormack it's a case of "as you were'' for the Whitehaven line-up.
"It was good to come through a game at last with no problems. We have had our fair share of injuries over recent months, but the players have battled on and some shouldn't have played, if I'm being honest,'' said McCormack, whose massive 68-12 win over relegated Dewsbury was an extra boost to the team's confidence.
Prop David Fatialofa, stand-off Leroy Joe and hooker Aaron Lester form a formidable trio in the heart of Whitehaven's attack and if they come out of the blocks in full flight, then Rochdale will have a game on their hands.
"It's knock-out rugby from now on and that's the only way to look at it. It's all about what happens on the day and how we go about our game plan,'' said McCormack.

HULL KR v OLDHAM

THERE is little doubt that Hull KR are the form team going into the play-offs, but Oldham have a top-class record when it comes down to this stage of the competition.
Two of their better performances came when they reached the Grand Final in 2001 and the quarter-finals last season, knocking Hull KR out of the running en route.
But the Robins are bouncing with energy and buoyed by their brilliant 18-16 win over Minor Premiership champions Salford City Reds, which must give them the confidence to fend off this challenge from over the Pennines.
With purposeful prop Jamie Bovill free from suspension; key forward Andy Smith fit after his elbow problem and busy hooker Paul Pickering clear of his flu problem, coach Steve Linnane, who could also call on the defensive attributes of fullback Chris Stephenson, is close to having a full complement on duty.
Only Harvey Howard and Dean Busby are extremely doubtful and with ex-Great Britain prop Howard still recovering from a car accident of some six weeks ago, it might not be worth risking his lack of match-fitness, but Linnane will keep everyone guessing on that score.
The win over Salford came as "no surprise'' to Linnane, who believes his side are capable of going all the way to the Grand Final.
And, with a home draw in the first stage of the play-offs, it must put them favourites to go through.
But let's not forget Oldham's past history in the competition. They had an excellent run in the year 2000, beating Hull KR and Doncaster; reached the Grand Final in 2001, but lost to Widnes Vikings and won at Craven Park in 2002, after squeezing into ninth-place, narrowly losing at Batley Bulldogs
With that track record behind them, few would bet against Oldham!
Coach Steve Molloy has bolstered his squad with some first-class pre-deadline signings, which have brought the best out of his side.
Winger Nick Johnson, Lee Marsh and Chris Percival have slotted in well, but Molloy puts recent results down to the versatility in the side.
"I have to agree that Hull KR are the form side at the moment, but we have a good record in the play-offs and confidence is running fairly high in the Oldham camp at the moment,'' declared Molloy, who guided Oldham to an unexpected win over Featherstone at Post Office Road, which clinched a play-off place.
"It won't be easy going on Hull's narrow pitch, so we will have to knuckle down early on, '' said Molloy.
Scrum-half Neil Roden (knee) is the main cause for concern for Oldham. But with hooker John Hough back from injury, Molloy could switch Keith Brennan to the pivotal role, if Roden fails to come through.
Oldham may come unstuck in the pack, for Molloy has had to depend on players such as Lee Doran and Phil Farrell playing out of position in order to cover for injuries.
But it won't be for the want of trying, going off recent performances!

NATIONAL LEAGUE TWO - Elimination Play-offs

KEIGHLEY COUGARS v HUNSLET HAWKS

CONFIDENCE is Keighley coach Gary Moorby's watchword as the Cougars go into their Elimination match with Hunslet.
"We are confident we can progress all the way and confident we can beat Hunslet. We have beaten every side in the division apart from Sheffield and that proves we can get to the Grand Final,'' said Moorby, who has Chris Wainwright and Richard Mervill fit from their respective leg injuries which sidelined them for the game at Gateshead.
"We could kick ourselves for not winning the title after such a superb start to the season, but if anything, only the Chorley defeat at home sticks in my throat. Other than that I feel we have done well this season.
"I know Hunslet beat us here a couple of weeks ago and that probably cost us the title. But we were going through a bad patch at the time.
"It's going to be tough on Sunday, but we feel confident we will progress through to the next stage of the competition,'' he predicted.
Hunslet's hopes have been dented by the loss of pacy winger George Rayner, whose knee injury in the defeat at York looks set to sideline him for at least two months.
Wes McGibbon will hopefully fill in the gap left by Rayner's absence, while experienced prop Steve Pryce and hooker Jamaine Wray are on the point of return from injury. Both were left out at York in the knowledge that the Hawks were safely through to the play-offs.
Centre Paul Seal could also make a shock return after six weeks out with a broken collarbone, but coach Roy Sampson is still uncertain about that move.
"Paul is desperate to make the game and I will give him every chance to prove his fitness,'' said Sampson, who felt the injury to Rayner was ill-timed to say the least.
"It's another blow to our hopes. But we will do our best to work round it,'' said Sampson, who has done exceptionally well to guide his side into the play-offs this year.
"We had a good run in the Arriva Trains Cup and a great result in the Powergen Challenge Cup against Huddersfield Giants and that should have encouraged the fans to come and watch us. But unfortunately that hasn't been the case and if there is one disappointment for chairman Grahame Liles and myself, it's the lack of support through the turnstiles this season.

YORK CITY KNIGHTS v BARROW RAIDERS

WINGER Leigh Deakin is a possible non-starter for York ahead of their clash with Barrow.
Deakin picked up a rib injury in the win over Hunslet and is extremely doubtful, according to coach Paul Broadbent, who could have a trick up his sleeve in the shape of halfback Scott Rhodes.
"It's possible he could be fit for the game,'' revealed Broadbent.
Ex-Leeds, Dewsbury and Sheffield stand-off Rhodes, who formed an excellent partnership with Danny Brough prior to his injury, is back in training and could at the very least win a place on the bench.
"It will be a tough game against Barrow, but I believe we can edge them out,'' said Broadbent, who feels that Tane Manihera and Andrew Henderson are the players to fear.
"Barrow have a big pack who carry the ball forward well and create a good platform for Henderson and Manihera. But we feel we can close them down on our pitch,'' said Broadbent, who believes the mid-season signing of Brough has turned their campaign round after a bad start.
"Danny's goal kicking alone is very valuable to the team,'' he said.
With ex-Hull KR prop Rich Hayes; former Great Britain hooker Lee Jackson and promising prop Joe Helme forming a solid front row, York have the potential to make the Grand Final.
However, the Raiders have similar possibilities and coach Cameron Bell firmly believes that his side will take some stopping.
"We have battled through some massive injury problems and the players have shown great character considering our lack of strength in depth.
"I don't see why we shouldn't make the final, because we have a lot of talent in the side,'' said Bell, referring to the handling skills of Henderson and Chris Archer, the power of prop Tau Liku and the drive of Aussie hooker Dave Clark.
The goal kicking of Adam Pate could also be considered a massive plus for Barrow, who have over-thrown most of the top sides this season.
However, Kiwi coach Bell may well reconsider his future at Barrow if the Cumbrians fall at this hurdle.