Harrison proud of Bulldogs' efforts
BATLEY coach Karl Harrison paid tribute to his players, the club and the 2,132 supporters, who turned out at rain-soaked Mount Pleasant last Saturday, to see the Bulldogs' historic Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-final.
Hopes had been high that the Bulldogs could slay the Catalans Dragons and reach a first semi-final since 1911 but in the end the French visitors proved too strong and powerful.
Converted tries either side of the break saw the home supporters find their voices before the Dragons romped clear in the final 30 minutes.
Speaking immediately after the game, Harrison said: "At 26-12 we had them rattled but a penalty gave them good field position and they scored.
"Our heads didn't go down but theirs certainly lifted and they ran away with it but we were in the game for long periods.
"We are obviously bitterly disappointed with the final scoreline but I though we were outstanding. I can't fault the effort and I thought my players were first class.
"Collectively we did okay but we were outclassed in every department and there is no shame in that.
"My team played really well but the score doesn't reflect that. The boys didn't lie down. They played for the full 80 minutes but we were starved off possession in the second half.
"The players are bitterly disappointed. We've had a torrid three weeks, this is our fifth game in 18 days which has taken its toll.
"Now we have a few days off before our next game, at home to Sheffield in the quarter-finals of the Northern Rail Cup. One of our goals is to get to the Northern Rail final."
Harrison added: "I think the club made a fantastic effort in promoting the game. It was good that people from all over came out to support. It's a shame about the weather, which obviously put a few more off, but it was a good day and I'm glad the club have made a few quid."
Catalans coach Kevin Walters, who announced 48 hours before the game that he is to leave the club at the end of the season, confessed to being nervous before kick-off as his side, bottom of Super League, sought to turn around their poor form.
"We've not had a lot of joy but this was a good result in many ways. It's great for the players and supporters and to reach a cup semi-final is a great achievement.
"I was very nervous before the game as in rugby league anything can happen but we made a good start. At half-time we said we needed to keep going.
"It's been a long time since we won two halves. That was our aim and we did that, albeit against a team from outside Super League."
Walters joked that with his side achieving a rare success on the Mount Pleasant slope then maybe they could play their next game at Batley.
He added: "Batley did well but it was tough for them. We had a very professional performance and that's what we were searching for."
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Weather for Batley
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
