Dale looking forward to Agoro

Oldham, Bloomfield’s former side

Rochdale Hornets will compete with Hunslet Hawks for the Supporters Direct Rugby League Challenge Shield on Sunday as the two supporter-owned clubs go head to head.

The two sides are amongst six supporter-owned clubs in rugby league and will contest the shield in preparation for the new season.

Their ownership isn’t the only thing they have in common though as they will both field ex-Oldham wingers in their line-ups for this weekend’s match.

Dale Bloomfield is back for his second spell with the Hornets and will go head-to-head with former teammate Mo Agoro who joined Championship outfit Hunslet Hawks in the off season.

Despite being good mates when at the Rougheyds together, Dale insists there will be nothing friendly about the game itself as the League 1 side pit themselves up against a side in the league above.

“If you play against these teams you’ve got to show them that you can compete in their league even though it’s pre-season,” explained Bloomfield.

“There’s no such thing as a friendly because you want to win the game.”

The two enjoyed a good 2014 as they scored 35 tries between them, 18 of which were scored by the returning Bloomfield.

Friendship will be put to one side come Sunday as the two will be locked in a battle of wits as they try to outsmart one and other, and it is a battle the free-scoring Hornets wide man is relishing.

“I’m looking forward to it. He’ll play right wing and I’ll play left wing which will put him up against me.

“He’ll know my weaknesses and I’ll know his so it will be a good test.”

According to Dale pre-season feels like it has lasted ‘forever’ and the disappointment of last week’s game being called off against St Helens has left the squad hungry to get back out on the pitch.

Sunday marks the first game of 2015 at Spotland with Bloomfield playing his first home game of his second spell, and it is the ambition and challenge of promotion which lured him back to Rochdale.

“It was another challenge and I think Rochdale have got the potential to be up there contending at the end of the year and pushing for promotion.

“I’d say we are up there as one of the favourites this year so we’ve got to be competing against teams like this at the weekend so that we can be up there.”

The season is fast approaching for Ian Talbot’s men and they will kick off their League 1 campaign against Oldham, Bloomfield’s former side.

“It was funny when the fixtures came out to see Oldham as the first game but I’m looking forward to it.

“There’s more of an incentive for me to play well against my old team mates and try to get one over on them and get the win.”