Page 32 - Rugby League World (February 2020)

BATLEY BULLDOGS

RLW PREDICTS: 10th

Batley have been a victim of the disappointing reverse.
Championship’s evolution in recent years. In an increasingly difficult competition,
Since their remarkable top-four finish in Batley need fewer slip-ups and more
2016, the Bulldogs have progressively scalps if they are to climb the table,
dropped down the table. ensuring they keep clear of the relegation
But their recent plight hasn’t been a tale zone.
of regression. They’ve simply stayed Their recruitment under Lingard certainly
where they were while clubs with bigger gives them a chance. The capture of
budgets and more resources have thrown Shaun Lunt was not only unexpected but
their weight around in a competition that mightily impressive. The veteran hooker,
looks so different to when the Bulldogs the Championship’s player of the year
pushed towards the upper reaches of the in 2017, was an assured presence in
table. the Leeds Rhinos side at the end of last
There’s little doubting that Batley season.
punched above their weight in 2016, His arrival has been complemented by
but now, the challenge is to step out of more players with Championship know-
mid-table mediocrity and defy the odds how. Dale Morton and Lucas Walshaw
once again. know the competition inside out while
They will try to under a new coach. Club Shaun Pick and Jack Blagbrough are also
legend Craig Lingard will keep the hot established at this level.
seat warm after taking over from Matt The departures of Dom Brambani and
Diskin, who oversaw a transitional period Louis Jouffret leave a worrying void in the
following the departure of John Kear. halves, with Ben White, a new signing from
Consistency was what Diskin strived for, Barrow, having some big boots to fill.
but failed to find during his time at Mount But like every other side, Batley will start
Pleasant. Batley inflicted their fair share the season optimistic and full of hope that
of beatings but received them in equal a top-half finish could be a possibility.
measure. For every scalp there was a Improbable? Yes. Impossible? No.
STAR PLAYER COACH

2020 SQUAD:

1 Dave Scott
2 Wayne Reittie
3 Keenen Tomlinson
4 Lewis Galbraith
5 Johnny Campbell
6 Ben White
7 Danny Yates
8 Tyler Dickinson
9 Alistair Leak
10 Toby Everett
11 Dane Manning
12 Lucas Walshaw Craig Lingard will be aware that a hero as
a player doesn’t necessarily make a hero
13 James Brown
as a coach.
14 Luke Hooley
Shaun Lunt is the unquestionable stand- But the Bulldogs legend has returned to
15 Jack Blagbrough out in the club’s recruitment drive, but Mount Pleasant looking to write a new
16 Michael Ward with a new-look spine next year it will be chapter at a club where he is the all-time
17 Shaun Pick down to some of the old guard to put leading try-scorer.
18 George Senior them in a position to do some damage. Lingard was without a gig after a shock
20 Niall Walker Step up James Brown. The forward has exit from Keighley midway through last
become a cornerstone of the Batley year, despite an impressive start to the
21 Jo Taira
team with his tough, uncompromising season after the Cougars almost went
22 Dale Morton
style of play along with his deceptive ball bust.
23 Danny Bravo skills. Lingard is used to working with fewer
24 Shaun Lunt Strong in the tackle but possessing a resources and that will certainly help him
25 Anthony Bowman mean offload, Brown will have a crucial as he leads Batley into battle against
role to play this year. much bigger fish.

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