BATLEY BULLDOGS coach James Ford believes the annual Boxing Day challenge match against Dewsbury (noon) is a great follow-up to a gruelling work-out on the hills above Huddersfield.
The Fox’s Biscuits Stadium side make the two-and-a-half-mile trip to the Rams’ FLAIR Stadium to renew a Rugby League rivalry which dates back to the 1898-99 season.
That’s when Dewsbury joined the Northern Union, Batley having been founder members three years earlier and supported their neighbouring club’s application to join the fledgling professional competition.
While the two were in different divisions last season, they met in the third round of the Challenge Cup, with Batley running out 26-4 winners after a 36-16 Boxing Day victory, also at home.
There will be clashes in the new merged second tier at Batley in April and Dewsbury in August, and Ford, who took the reins at the end of last season, said: “You can’t be at Batley without being told how important the derby is to both sets of fans.”
It’s a first game back in coaching for Ford since he lost his job at Featherstone in February and he added: “It feels like it’s been a long time.
“I’m looking forward to it and I know the lads want to give a good account of themselves and build on what we’ve been doing in training.”
That included a series of drills around Scammonden Reservoir, adjacent to the M62, run by Batley’s strength and conditioning guru Mark Barlow.
“It was about challenging the players mentally as well as physically,” added Ford, who has signed Huddersfield Academy and Reserves centre Jack Hudson.
“There were a series of exercises and a chance for some team bonding afterwards.
“I was pleased with the way the boys approached it, and I’ve been pleased by the way they have bought into pre-season generally. They’ve really gone for it, and I’ve been blown away by their work ethic.”