Bulldogs ready for derby day Challenge
BATLEY Bulldogs have adjusted their training and are ready for the Heavy Woollen Challenge Cup game against Dewsbury Rams at Tetley's Stadium on Boxing Day (12.30pm).
The Bulldogs will have a 20-man squad on duty and, with Barry Eaton of course having left the club, for the first time in three years the side are seeking a regular goalkicker. First up for the job at Dewsbury will be centre Steve Jones with Darren Robinson as back-up.
Assistant coach Paul Harrison explained: "We haven't concentrated too much on the goalkicking as yet but Steve assures us he is a decent kicker so we are giving him the first chance.
"It was a big loss when Barry left us but life goes on and we have to adjust. We do have Darren Robinson as cover and he is a useful kicker."
Eaton did not miss a match in his three years at Mount Pleasant so the question of a stand-in rarely arose. He went off injured against Hull KR last season and Robinson stepped in and landed four goals. He also kicked a goal at Oldham the following game.
The Bulldogs are likely to include their latest recruit, back row man Andrew Boothroyd, who has joined the club from Halifax and has been training for two or three weeks.
They could yet include Michael Worrency, who has also been training, but has now been contacted by London Broncos, who are believed to be ready to offer a full-time contract which would be a big temptation. If Worrency does sign he too will be in the squad.
Newcomer Gary Smith will not play as he is likely to need an operation to judge the extent of a knee problem. Martin McLoughlin has a slight knee worry but is keen to be involved, however the Bulldogs are wary of taking a risk with him as he was injured in the early part of last season and missed the next 13 games.
Harrison added: "We have 33 players in training so there is plenty of competition for places and all the lads are anxious to have a run-out. The game comes in the middle of our pre-season preparation but all the lads want to test themselves and see what shape they are in. There is also the matter of we again want to beat Dewsbury."
The Bulldogs will parade their planned new half-back pairing of John Gallagher and Neil Roden and this will obviously mean a change in the playing style.
The Bulldogs intend to try out as many of their new signings as possible. Chairman Kevin Nicholas remarked: "I think supporters realise what we are trying to do.
"We have signed a number of promising young players and I am confident that at some point we shall have a decent team. The question is how quickly we shall get to that point and whether the youngsters will be able to cope in the First Division.
"We have to get players who are genuinely wanting to play as opposed to some who are nearing the end of their careers and are looking to ease down.
“You could say we want lads who are hungry, there may be reservations about a relative lack of experience but only time will tell. However, we are very optimistic that we have signed a good group of players. People might think we are lacking in size but when they see some of the players close up they will get a surprise.”
With a shared gate, both clubs are hoping all supporters will rally round and the attendance will again top 2,000.
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Weather for Batley
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
