With both Hornets and Keighley having had pretty good days at the office last weekend, Sunday’s game at Lawkholme Lane promises to be a bit of a ‘battle royale’.

With everyone expecting Leigh to mete out a monster spanking, the Cougars surprised pretty much everyone, putting in a big effort to go down 30-12 - having only trailed 16-6 at the break.

Coach Gary Moorby was pretty upbeat about the performance: “I thought we were unlucky not to have another score - possibly two. If you compare the budgets and the scoreline, I think we did alright.”

Most interesting stat from our point of view was that, whilst Keighley managed to keep scrawny, over-rated prima-donna Neil Turley off the try-sheet, everyone’s favourite barrel of fun Jason Clegg piled in under the sticks to strike a blow for those of us with a rounder figure.

We are starting to have a lot of self belief in our own efforts and we’re working hard for each other,” said Moorby afterwards - and enthusiasm will take you a long way in this division.

But Keighley aren’t just big on enthusiasm. They’re well-drilled, workmanlike and more than capable. Craig Nipperess and Matt Firth at half back steer the big Cougars pack around the field - and it’s a pack that comes with a lot of raw grunt.

Alongside Cleggy, Phil Stephenson and local hero Danny Ekis offer options at prop, with Chris Parker, Dave Foster and Craig MacDowell providing plenty of willing yards from the back three.

At the centre of all this is Simeon Hoyle, whose workrate and eye for a hole make him one to watch.

Like everyone else at Hornets, Bobbie Goulding will have been split between pride and sheer despondency over last week’s game. Big hearts and big hits across the park laid the foundation for one of the gutsiest derby performances in a long time. One would imagine that unnecessary changes would be at a minimum, though there may be a shuffle in the outside backs given Platty’s broken jaw and Chris Campbell’s impending knee op.

However the Bobster cuts it, Sunday provides a real opportunity for Hornets to get our season off the launchpad. The attitude and commitment on show last week showed how much this team means to everyone associated with it - and these lads deserve your support at Keighley on Sunday.

So don’t arse about - get four mates in the car and make an afternoon of it. The fans that made the trip to Oldham last week did us proud - and with another couple of dozen to swell the numbers, we can make a bit of noise and give the lads a lift.

If - when - we win, you’ll be glad you made the effort. Wear your colours with pride and bring your singing voice. See you there - it’ll be a cracker.