Richard Sutcliffe meets loose forward Steve McNamara

Steve McNamara is forecasting a fierce test for Bradford Bulls when they travel to face his hometown club Hull - but he is confident they can take a step towards clinching top spot in Super League.

The 28-year-old moved to Odsal from the Boulevard in 1996 and has featured in many close encounters with the Sharks since they won promotion two years ago.

However Hull have endured a season to forget in 1999 and are level on points with bottom club Huddersfield.

And with the side finishing at the foot of Super League facing the possibility of being relegated then McNamara knows Hull will be fired up.

He said: "It is always a hard game at the Boulevard and they are in a bit of strife at the moment. They are desperate for the two points although not as desperate as we are.

"They have got three games left and they need to pick up some points to make sure they stay in Super League. They can't be too choosy as to which game they get them from and Bradford at the Boulevard is always a massive game.

"There will be a bit of needle because of the fact that there are some players who have been at both clubs and with us being top of the league, they will lift their game.

"The Boulevard still holds a lot for me. I am a local lad and it is still a part of me. I live in Hull and to go back with Bradford is always really special.

"I've been back twice with Bradford and been successful on both occasions and I'd like to think that we could get the two points this week a little bit easier than on the last two occasions.

"It is just a shame for the Hull public that they haven't managed to lift their game every week and not just when the Bulls and the Rhinos have been there."

Victory at the Boulevard tomorrow would leave the Bulls as overwhelming favourites to clinch top spot and hopefully an easier passage to the Grand Final at Old Trafford in October.

They finish the season with tough clashes against Leeds and St Helens but McNamara refuses to look any further than the trip to Humberside tomorrow.

"We are aware of what we have got to do to get that top spot but, and I know this is an old clich, but we are taking every game as it comes.

"We still have Leeds and Saints to play and we will possibly meet either of those in our first game in the play-offs. We can't afford to look far ahead because if you do you can lose your focus.

"We play Hull this week and then we can start thinking about the next game. That is how it has got to be."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.