Wandering pete

The Knights currently top the table on points difference with 12 wins/4 defeats from 16.After losing their first 3..at Oldham(4-50),home to TO(6-7) and home to Fax(10-18) they have won 12 from 13 including a 9 match winning sequence since defeat at Fev (22-24).If you throw in their 1895 cup win at Wembley(Fev 5-4) and the fact that they've beaten the best team in the world(Bradford) no less than 3 times they are clearly the form team in the Championship.

Batley currently sit in 12 th place with 8 points from 3 wins /2 draws/9 defeats.After a promising start with a draw at Oldham and a win over Widnes at Mt.Pleasant the next 11 games saw just one win (at London) and a home draw with the Raiders.A winless sequence of 8 games led to a change of coach and was ended by a home victory over the Eagles last time out bringing an instant return for the evergreen John Kear...surely the RL equivalent of Neil Warnock.So its been a (Bull)dogs breakfast of a season so far but the Raiders should beware the Kear factor with no doubt more injuries biting into their squad.

Rovers currently in 8th spot with 7 wins/7 defeats.After only 1 win in their first six their form has picked up with 6 wins from the next 8...only losing to TO(h) and at York.They look to be building well into the battle for the top 6..should be a cracker.

The Bulls are currently 2nd on the ladder with 10 wins/ 3 defeats so far.After a sticky start ...2 defeats in first 4(TO away/ Raiders at home) they have lost only one from the next 9 ( York at home).Only 1 loss away from Odsal to date.Their next 2 games..at Barrow then Hunslet at home..so not surprising to see Brian Noble at the South Leeds stadium on Sunday..wonder what Nobby made of that?

After the Eagles come the Hawks...at the halfway point of the season the Hawks are rooted at the foot of the table with 2 wins to date.Both wins away from home..at Batley and Sheffield...by 4 point margins so no home victory...yet.They will fancy their chance over an out of sorts Raiders with 3 defeats and a draw in their last 4 games. Would take a repeat of that epic 1984 match at Elland Rd...40-41 ..with a very late Barrow recovery to snatch the points.

The Eagles currently in 10th spot with 3 wins from 11 so far..Batley(h) and Fev/ London (a).Poor season by their usual standards and without the now retired Anthony Thackeray..often Barrow's nemesis.The raiders without a win in 3 need some fresh legs and a better "rub of the green"..maybe official's who can spot knock- ons,forward passes, and dropouts not going the distance.Perhaps perfectly good tries could stand and not be disallowed...probably too much to ask

Fev currently 9th in table with 4 wins from 10..York/Dons/Batley at home and Widnes(a).Strange set of results but with a comprehensive win at Oldham in the 1895 Cup clearly capable of better things.Could the imminent prospect of their Wembley final v York on the 7th June be a distraction ..who knows? The long trip last weekend and a bruising battle in Toulouse may affect the Raiders..possibly some fresh legs returning?

In the match report from the local paper..La Depeche..the verdict was that.."at the final whistle the score was flattering for TO".Sylvain Houles said that.."Barrow are fourth in the league and it's not by chance..its a team that always causes us problems.It's a team that knows how to outwit the opponents" On a different day if disallowed tries were given and a TO dropout which didn't reach the line was spotted by the ref it could have been a different outcome.

..harsh..there is a good reason...

TO are going well ..sat at the top of the table with 7 wins from 9..losing at home to Widnes(14-18) and at Donny(6-10) and with impressive victories against Fax,Bradford and Oldham.Sounds like a strong Raiders squad will make the trip..with maybe a surprise?Forecast is dry,sunny 20°..let's hope its a cracker!

Excellent team performance..only looked like one result for 30 minutes up the slope at 14-0 ..then the injuries kicked in.Not sure when the 18 th man is allowed to be used but ..in the interests of player welfare .. when 4 serious injuries have occurred and no further subs are available could the 18 th man not be used..maybe at the ref's discretion?

Both excellent..Ryan superb in the win at Widnes with an 80 min standout display

Bulldogs v Road Dogs Batley have had a mixed start to their campaign with 2 wins(Widnes(h) and London(a))..a creditable draw at Oldham but home defeats to Hunslet/York with away losses at Fax and Eagles.Their coach says that the Raiders are "overachieving"..might be worth sticking that up on the changing room wall...

The Broncos have started with 2 wins/3 defeats having beaten Hunslet and Fev at home with losses to Batley(H), Oldham and Bradford(both A).Let's hope the Raiders can maintain the fabulous form shown at Widnes.Friday's merry whistle-blower is Tara Jones..maybe the first lady ref. for a Raiders match?

Just tuning in to youtube broadcast..couldn't make the trip today..rail replacement buses from Preston...11 hours of travel.