Centurions lined up for Hornets

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Photo: Journeaux

Hornets coach, Ian Talbot

Rochdale Hornets will take on a Leigh Centurions reserve team on Tuesday 24 February at Leigh Sports Village as final preparation for their assault on the League and Cup double title.

Following postponements against Super League Champions St Helen's at Langtree Park and then Hunslet Hawks at Spotland Stadium, head coach Ian Talbot was left with the dilemma of needing an extra hit out to finalise his squad ahead of the League One cup fixture with South Wales Scorpions on 1 March.

“Preparations have been disrupted slightly, as we have only played amateurs Mayfield to date,” commented Talbot.

“I was contemplating an extra game anyway but once we lost the Hunslet game I rang Leigh straight away and after some deliberation we have come up with a suitable date.

“The Tuesday is the only free date we both could agree on but it will be a good test for us.

"They have played and beaten both North Wales and Oldham already this pre-season and will provide a different kind of test to what the Mayfield and Thatto Heath games will have provided.

“I am still unsure on what my best team is at the moment. Some of the players have had a storming off season and are right up there contending for a starting spot come 1 March. Others I’m sure will put there marker down over the next two games and I’m looking forward to the selection headache I’ll have.”

The Hornets versus Centurions Reserve game will take place at the Sports Pavilion at Leigh Sports Village, home of Leigh Miners, with a 7.30pm kick off.