Ross Whitmore: We're ready for Sunday

Rochdale Hornets hooker Ross Whitmore says the squad are under no illusions that they need to perform as the business end of the Betfred League 1 season continues.

The Hornets currently find themselves four points adrift of the top four heading into Sunday's game at Midlands Hurricanes - who themselves are a further point ahead and sit third in the division. 

The Hornets have won on their last three visits to Midlands but fell to a 22-10 defeat against Sunday's hosts back in Round 9. 

With the top eight sides in the division still in with a realistic chance of ending the season in the top four, and subsequently a shot at promotion to the Betfred Championship, Whitmore insists that there is no room for error this weekend. 

He said: "The game against Keighley was a bit bittersweet as I thought we had a really good dig, but there were two or three tries that were probably just luck of the draw. 

"Building into this week now, we all know after having conversations with each other that it’s time to crack on.

"This is the business end, and if we want to make that top four, every game and every training session matters. 

"We’ve got the ability, and we’ve got the attitude. We all know what we need to do, and certain areas that we need to be better in.

"Really, it comes down to not leaving anything out on the field."

Whitmore joined the club in mid-May and has featured three times so far, producing a try-scoring display on debut against Newcastle Thunder before featuring in recent defeats at North Wales Crusaders and Keighley Cougars.

Despite his time at the Hornets being in its infancy, the 25-year-old says he has no regrets about leaving Betfred Championship side Hunslet and is enjoying every minute at his new club. 

"It’s been a bit of a good change for me after what happened during my time at Hunslet," he added. 

"I just needed a bit of a change up, and it’s been refreshing to come over and play for GT. I got a phone call from Gary before I signed, and he was saying that he would love to have me on board - it was a bit of a strange one as I’d never really had a coach come across to me that way.

"It’s exactly what I thought it would be - a great group of lads determined to be successful. I’ve settled in nicely and haven't looked back."