bulldogtrev

On the 31st March 1996 Batley played its first league game of the Super League era beating Whitehaven 20 point to 13 at Mount Pleasant. The Batley team - Simpson, Tomlinson, Moxon, Turpin, Walker, Barnett, Stainburn, Parkinson, Cass, McWilliam, Child, Walton and Heron Subs Middleton and Hardwick. Crowd 1015. Not sure 30 years later that Super League is a good or bad thing for teams like Batley.

It was a good effort from the team against a Doncaster side that will finish in the top 6. I agree that the injury to Matvejev when he came off the bench which left Batley a prop short did not help. There is clearly work to do to improve the attacking options and the discipline of the team. I was encouraged by the Greensmith/Olpherts centre and wing partnership. The Oakes and Burton partnership did not work.

The result is difficult to predict on Sunday. If Olpherts, Manning, Ellis and White are available which four players does Ford drop from the team? Reynolds took a knock on Sunday if available will he be at half-back or fullback. Sunday should give supporters a better idea of the prospects for the season.

With the terrible weather and the resulting playing conditions if Batley 'turnup' and play it smart on Sunday there is a chance of shock. If the weather and playing conditions improve Catalans will win by 50+ points.

The club do not have much choice with the admission price. Playing an amateur team on a cold Sunday afternoon in January always makes it difficult to attract a crowd. From a Batley point of view Sunday will be a case of not underestimating the opposition and getting the job done. I am looking forward to seeing Catalans at the Mount they have recruited new players during the close season including NRL players. If the game is on Saturday or Sunday the crowd could be ok.

It is not the best draw but it could have been a lot worse. North Wales Crusaders/Bedford Tigers, London Broncos or Hammersmith Hills Hoist away are examples of a worst draw. Batley are at home and Dewsbury Moor are still in the competition needing a ground for home ties if they beat Stanningley. It would be mistake to play the Catalans game on Friday 6th February. Leeds United at home to Nottingham Forest is on Sky on the same night.

If you have got players who want to play rugby league, a ground to play rugby league on and people who want to watch rugby league. I appreciate the financial situation at Featherstone but I do not see how this is the best option. I do not know what the solution is but maybe allowing Featherstone Lions or a Featherstone area team to take Featherstone’s place for the season. I remember the Heavy Woollen amateur team in the late 1980’s including Paddy Lyons, Paul Marshall etc would have competed in the 2nd division of the Championship at that time.

Dewsbury where also the last Lancashire team to win the Championship before the split to two divisions in 1973.

The future Batley coach in December 1985 was Karl Harrison and the former Batley coach George Pieniazek. Karl signed for Featherstone Rovers from Bramley.

Sunday 15th December 1985 Batley beat Keighley at home in front of the largest Second Division crowd of the day 896. Brian Lockwood having taken over the coaches job a few weeks earlier. Teenage centre Andy Williams scoring the winning try. A week later Carl Gibson who had put in a transfer request in November was put on the transfer list which would result in a move to Leeds in January 1986 for £50,000. In December 1985 Which future Batley coach and Great Britain international was signed by a former Batley coach?

When you click on the attached link posted on the 22nd November it advises the draw will be made when 200 tickets are sold. Is there are a link advising how many tickets are left to buy or if the draw is now closed ?

All clubs need to look at keeping supporters. No point buying a season ticket to find out halfway through the season the goalposts have moved or another structure change at the end of the season so the rest of the season the games are glorified friendlies. Some fans have become disillusioned with the game in general. The RFL need to be doing more to help all clubs.

Ben Reynolds is the half-back signing. Batley also struggled last season with the centres. Still waiting to see who James Ford brings in at fullback and in the centres (in addition to Wesley Brunines). Robbie Butterworth last seasons fullback signed for 2026 but I would be surprised if he starts the season at fullback after his displays last season. I thought Butterworth played his best game on the wing.

With the Reynolds ban I would expect White to start the season with Woods at half-back. Not ruling out Ford signing another hooker. Woods is a bit injury prone and Leak is at an age where he is unlikely to play every game so White will play. To win rugby matches you need a big mobile pack with ball handling forwards. I would like to see someone like Martyn Reilly at loose forward who was the loose forward when Batley reached the grand final in 2022. A forward of size with ball handling skills.

Manning, Walshaw, Leak and Ben Reynolds are four good experienced Championship players Batley can build a team around. I would not play White at loose forward due to his size especially if you have got Leak or Parsons at hooker the pack would lack size to me although White did play well previously in the hooker role.