With seven hard games left, Brian Noble believes the Bulls are still moving up towards top gear.

With the battle of Leeds out the way, the season countdown continues tonight with a tough trip to The Shay.

Physical encounters with St Helens, Leeds, Wigan and Hull are still to follow as the Bulls edge towards the play-offs in first place in the Super League ladder.

"It is always a great occasion at The Shay and for Halifax it is their biggest game of the season," said Noble, who believes the players have recovered well from last week's Yorkshire derby.

"We know we are in for a rough ride and we will come out with bumps and bruises. It is a case of being disciplined, doing the job and getting out of there with the two points."

The Bulls will be without Paul Anderson, Brandon Costin and Richard Moore for tonight's match-up and Noble is only too aware of the Blue Sox strengths.

"They have a big pack and a lot of pace on the flanks," he said. "I am surprised they only have 12 points but if you look at the games they have played you will find they have been involved in some very close encounters on several occasions."

And with seven games, plus the play-offs, left this season the Great Britain assistant coach is happy the team are working up to their potential.

"There is still more to come from us," said Noble, who will use the same 17 as last week for this week's Yorkshire derby.

"I don't think we have hit top gear yet which is fine because there are still seven games left to play.

"But we are up for this game which will be one of the many tough encounters we will face in the rest of this season.

"We have trained very well and the players are well up for the game. There is a spark in the camp as we get to the business end of the season and that is very pleasing."

The benefits of a first-place finish offer a week's break and home advantage but Noble is not prepared to take anything for granted.

"We are top at the moment but there is a lot of work to do to stay there."