Featherstone Rovers: Seaside showdown with Halifax is biggest game of season '“ Sharp

Going into the Summer Bash – when an entire round of matches is held over two days at the same venue – Rovers are fourth in the Kingstone Press Championship, just two places and two points ahead of tomorrow’s opponents.

The sides, who will meet again at the Shay in the penultimate round of the regular season, are fighting along with Batley Bulldogs over the final place in the Qualifiers and Sharp described tomorrow’s tie as “really important”.

Looking ahead to the fixture at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road (5.15pm), he said: “We have got some momentum, we are playing well and it is a big occasion. We want to do really well and we want to test ourselves against a good team, like they are. We have to be at our best, it is the game of the year so far; it goes a long way to deciding who gets in the top-four.”

Halifax snatched a controversial 20-19 victory at Big Fellas Stadium almost two months ago, thanks to a last-gasp penalty.

But Sharp insisted: “That has never been mentioned.

“We have moved on and I am sure Halifax have as well. What happened last time will have no bearing on this game.

“This one has got a different type of feel to it, because it is such a big rugby league occasion.”