This is an excerpt from a story published in today’s issue of League Express newspaper, which is out in all good newsagents right now. If you can’t get your hands on a hard copy, click here to download a digital version to your computer or smartphone.
Wigan star John Bateman has told League Express how much pleasure he took from Wigan’s 18-14 victory against Leeds Rhinos on Saturday night at the Magic Weekend.
“Leeds knew that we had some players out, and they probably thought they were going to win,” Bateman said.
“But we showed that we are a team to be reckoned with, and we just got stuck into them. Beating Leeds is one of the best feelings in the game, especially for a lad like me from Bradford.”
Bateman was sinbinned in the first half, alongside his captain Michael McIlorum. But he has no regrets, and he explained the origins of his apparent feud with Jamie Peacock.
“Micky gave a penalty away and all their players ran towards him, so I just thought I would get stuck in and see what happened.
“I think my run-in with Jamie stems from last year at Bradford when I picked him up in a tackle. He didn’t like it and he got a penalty out of it. It’s just one of those things, but it stays on the pitch, and I don’t really talk to him off it.”
