BATLEY BULLDOGS have brought in Scotland winger Will Oakes, with another back Paul Foulstone, who has been playing for nearby amateurs Dewsbury Celtic, still on trial at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium.
Foulstone could follow in the footsteps of fellow locals, winger Alfie Dean and second rower Kieren Hepworth, who have signed Bulldogs deals after playing the community game for Kippax Welfare and Dewsbury Moor respectively.
Hull KR product Oakes, 25, has also been with Dewsbury, York and Bradford, but didn’t play for the Bulls during an injury-affected 2024 campaign.
Originally from Halifax, he was with Wakefield as a youngster and represented England at Youth level.
He scored nine tries in 18 outings for Hull KR between 2016 and 2019, and played for Scotland in the 2017 World Cup.
Dean bagged two tries on debut in the 54-0 Challenge Cup second-round win at Newcastle.
Batley now have a third-round derby at home to Dewsbury on Sunday, and are also looking forward to an 1895 Cup first-round visit from Bradford in the first round of the 1895 Cup on the weekend of March 1/2.