BATLEY BULLDOGS coach James Ford has challenged youngster Mitch Beedle to take the opportunity provided by the absence of Josh Woods and help propel his side to the play-offs.
Experienced halfback Woods will miss the rest of the campaign, and former Castleford development player Beedle, signed over the close-season, was handed his full debut in the hard-fought 30-12 win at Swinton and retained his place for Sunday’s 28-24 home defeat to Newcastle.
Woods, the 28-year-old Wigan product, has been sidelined by a leg fracture and ligament damage sustained during the 22-10 defeat at Doncaster last month.
He joined Batley from Newcastle in 2023 and had made 95 appearances for the club.
This year, Ford has often paired Woods with seasoned operator Ben Reynolds, signed from Featherstone.
The coach can also call on long-serving Ben White, the one-time Leeds player who had spells at Swinton, Halifax and Barrow before joining Batley in 2020.
He has operated in a number of positions this season, with Batley plagued by inconsistency but still bidding for the top ten.
White was at loose-forward for the victory at Swinton, which was their ninth in 20 league games.
“Mitch Beedle has been patient since he joined us, and is doing everything he can to learn from Josh and the two Bens,” said Ford.
“Losing Josh is a blow, but it’s a chance to get minutes into Mitch and develop him for next year.”
Batley are uncertain when experienced second rower Lucas Walshaw will return from a broken wrist while prop Liam Kirk is in the same situation following a head knock.