Hornets go head-to-head with Swinton in crucial Championship Shield game

Alan Kilshaw, head coach of Rochdale Hornets

Rochdale Hornets go into Sunday's game against Swinton with just one point separating the three Greater Manchester clubs, after the Bank Holiday games produced one of the most dramatic rounds of the current Championship season.

Hornets went into the fourth round of the Championship Shield three points ahead of the drop zone, and a victory over the Roughyeds would have distanced themselves from the relegation scrap.

Swinton headed into the bank holiday with a tough trip to Dewsbury Rams, the form team of the competition, and weren’t given a chance of breaking the Yorkshire club’s winning run.

Everything went against Hornets though, as Oldham claimed their first win of the season over the Hornets and the Swinton claimed a shock victory away from home over Dewsbury.

Swinton and Hornets go head-to-head in possibly the most important game of the Championship season to date.

With both sides picking up a win each in their previous meetings this year it has set up a tense and intriguing encounter.

Hornets were left heartbroken by their opponents on Easter Monday, as Chris Atkin’s drop-goal was the difference in a 23-22 loss at Heywood Road.

More recently, the two met at The Crown Oil Arena where the Hornets gained revenge in a victory head coach Alan Kilshaw described as the most courageous in his time at the club.

Hornets face more injury woes with Smith and Middlehurst ruled out for the season, the former picking up a second concussion in three weeks and the latter suffering a broken thumb.

Massam will also miss the remaining three games despite making his return from injury on Monday, as he takes time away for his wedding and honeymoon.

Ben Moores is serving a suspension for the remainder of the season.

Crowley and Foster return to the squad though.