In last week's game against Batley, 'Haven showed their true title credentials, blasting a whirlwind 38 points past a hapless Bulldogs in the first 40 minutes alone! Final score 54-12 - good going for a game reffed by Ben Thaler.

'Haven coach Steve McCormack understands the magnitude of Sunday's game: "It'll be a tough match,." he said, "... Rochdale have beaten Castleford and Hull KR at Spotland and I'm sure they will want to beat us too. But we'll have to make sure that we play the match and not the occasion. It's in our hands."

Part of me is actually quite upset that we're going to have to beat Whitehaven to secure our goal, because a 'haven defeat leaves the door open for Castleford to nick top spot - and, like all right-thinking NL1 fans, we'd rather anyone won it above Cas.

Cas are unlikely to slip-up at Batley - but with a superior points difference Haven could still lose and be crowned champions. The perfect scenario!

There's no doubt that the 'Haven side is geared to succeed. A scary mix of size, power, pace and guile across the park certainly gives them the most cohesive look of any of the so-called 'serious challengers' for NL1 glory.

A threequarter line of Calvert, Seeds, Nanyn and Wilson has experience and pace to burn; and the half-back coupling of Leroy Joe and Joel Penny takes no prisoners as it drives the pack around the field.

With RL World player of the month Carl Sice at its heart, a pack comprising Ryan Tandy, David Fatialofa, Spencer Miller, Howard Hill and Aaron Lester is a six built for real damage - and Hornets will need another top effort to neutralise the threat.

Certainly, this game is the apex of Hornets' rennaissance curve. Having made a huge leap in progress and expectation from last year, we've come too far to just sit back and enjoy the view.

Bobbie Goulding knows only too well that this Sunday's game defines Hornets' season: "ItŐs about getting the result, peaking at the right time and we are going okay," he said.

And with Hornets and Whitehaven the form teams in NL1 ('Haven undefeated in the last five; Hornets one defeat in the last five) it's got all the makings of a spectacular head-on collision.

"We have some momentum," said Goulding, subtly underplaying the buzz aroiund the club, "... we are looking like we can win games and we are focusing for the full 80 minutes, which is something we didnŐt always do at the start of the season."

And this promises to be an 80 minutes to remember. For the second week running we have the game of the weekend at Spotland - and we get to have a real say in NL1's shake-up. Games don't come any bigger at this level and, for once, Hornets aren't just here to make up the numbers.

We've shown against Castleford, Hull KR and Halifax that we can boss the best on our own patch - and on Sunday we go out to collect the set. 'haven have their own immense pressures to deal with, so let's see what they're made of.

If you were going to see one Hornets game this season, it'd be this one. So don't let us down. The fans are an integral part of taking our club forward and we need 100% from every single one this weekend. Let's make the after-match drinks in the main stand bar a real celebration - where else do you have to be that's a better offer?

See you Sunday