BATLEY BULLDOGS coach James Ford is putting the focus on defence as he plots further progression up the table.
The former York and Featherstone coach’s charges struggled for consistency in the first few months of his reign.
Batley won only four of their first ten league games but chalked up a fourth victory on the bounce by beating Halifax 26-22.
Having been 17th at one stage, they were seventh ahead of Sunday’s 26-6 defeat at Oldham, which pushed them down a place.
That game marked the start of a six-match suspension for experienced winger Derrell Olpherts, sanctioned for the use of unacceptable language during the 50-4 win at Goole.
The 34-year-old former Super League player has notched nine tries since signing from Featherstone in February but must now wait as he seeks a tenth which would take his overall career tally to 150.
Seasoned prop Liam Kirk, a close-season signing from Midlands, made his 200th career appearance against Halifax, while on-loan Castleford frontrower Jimmy Beckett reached 150.
Both have been tasked with helping stiffen up Batley’s defence, and Ford told the Dewsbury Reporter: “We are pretty good with the ball and we do the right things, so I am not worried about us scoring enough points to win games.
“But we need to keep focused on improving our defence. I think we are getting better, but Halifax found some cracks here and there. They got some ruck speed and created some chances on the back of it.”
Batley host league leaders London on Sunday.