I've been very impressed with Featherstone Rovers this season.
The Yorkshire club who just squeezed into the top six last year and went within a game of a Grand Final appearance have been excellent in 2010.
They lost just two games in their league campaign (to Toulouse and Sheffield Eagles respectively) and can boast some of the Championship's top players.
Their domination of the competition was evident on Thursday night when they hosted Halifax.
In April, Rovers had bashed Matt Calland's men 44-4 but everyone expected a close game after Fax roared through the last few weeks and put a good winning run together.
Halifax even grabbed the first try when quick thinking from Sean Penkywicz saw the hooker surge to the try line off a tap penalty.
It was Rovers however that struck back quickly to level through Stuart Dickens when the prop went through a hole in the middle of the defence.
Kyle Briggs, who went on to enjoy an excellent game, struck the first of seven goals and two tries in three minutes from Liam Welham and the impressive Tommy Saxton quickly made it 16-6 to Rovers.
A smart pass from veteran Graham Holroyd found Shad Royston and the fullback was able to notch his now customary try. The Championship's top goal kicker Lee Paterson converted but Rovers claimed their fourth try just after the half hour mark when Dane Manning got in.
Halifax again replied when a sweeping move right saw Royston push into the line to create the extra man and Rob Worrincy went over in the corner. Patterson's conversion made it 22-16 and that looked set to be the half-time score before Briggs took the line on and got between two forwards. He then goaled to make it 28-16 at the break.
Fax were faced with a simple equation - score first. They didn't, or should that read couldn't. Featherstone's defence reigned supreme and eventually their attack took advantage.
For twenty minutes Halifax battered at the Featherstone line but time and again it stood firm.
Rovers spied their chance and Irish international Liam Finn showed a good turn of pace to race through from twenty metres. At 34-16 it was game over and Briggs then stepped up to rub further salt in the wounds with two tries that saw him finish with a hat-trick and a personal tally of 26 points from the game.
It will take a good team to stop Rovers from lifting the trophy at Warrington on 26th September.
I'm looking forward to seeing that game.
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