DEWSBURY RAMS coach Paul March is backing on-loan Jacob Bateman to keep producing the goods as the pair prepare to go north on Sunday with a third successive league win in their sights.
While his parent club Bradford are heading into a first Super League campaign since 2014, the highly-rated teenage forward is continuing his Rugby League education with a season down the road at the FLAIR Stadium.
Bateman – the cousin of England second rower John Bateman, who is currently with North Queensland Cowboys – has played once for Bradford, in their 28-10 home Championship win over Sheffield in May 2024.
He has previously been farmed out Cornwall, Newcastle, who are the Rams’ hosts on Sunday, and Batley, amassing eleven appearances in all, and enjoyed a third Dewsbury outing, all in the front row, as visitors Keighley were edged out 22-20.
That followed a 20-12 win at Hunslet and 32-10 home Challenge Cup win over amateurs West Hull which set up the third-round tie against Oldham at Stalybridge last Sunday.
Having finished fourth in third tier last year, Dewsbury are fourth in the new merged Championship and aiming to start the season with three straight league wins for the first time since 2023.
Back then Liam Finn’s side saw off North Wales, Widnes and Workington and went on to tot up five more league wins on the bounce, and 15 out of 18 matches overall as they won the League One title.
March has been coaching too long to get carried away, but has been pleased by his side’s start and Bateman’s part in that.
“We talk about giving players an opportunity at this club, and Jacob Bateman is a prime example of doing just that,” he said.
“He made his Bradford debut at a young age, but their progress has made it harder for him to get in there.
“Coming here gives him an opportunity to try and play every week, and that will hopefully kick-start his career.”