Batley Bulldogs travel to Hull Kingstone Rovers this sunday (3pm) kick off in week one of the Middle 8 qualifiers, It’s the Bulldogs first visit in ten years to the Kc Lightstream stadium (the New Craven Park), their last visit came in 42-8 loss before losing 22-24 in the return fixture at Batley.
Team News
Batley could hand a debut to new signing Sam Smeaton who joined before the deadline from Halifax along with Mikey Hayward who joined from amateur side Lock Lane Arlfc, Batley could be at full strength following a week off to recover knocks but still be without Luke Blake (Back) also missing is club captain Keegan Hirst who’s been dropped for an internal disciplinary matter , Batley will enter the middle 8’s with no fear but confident after finishing third in the championship.
Batley Bulldogs 19 man squad: Reittie, Ulugia, Squires, Ainscough, Brambani, Rowe, Day, Walker, Davey,Gledhill, Chandler, Lillycrop, Bretherton, Leak, Brown, Scott, Harrison, Smeaton, Alex Brown
Hull KR could welcome back Shaun Lunt,Mitch Allgood, James Donaldson,Iain Thornley and Chris Clarkson are all anticipated to play but must prove their fitness to James Webster before he selects his side to face Batley Bulldogs, one player missing for rovers is former Bulldogs loan prop James Green who had an operation on a shoulder injury earlier this week.
Hull Kr 19 man squad: Sio, Mantellato, Thornley, Kelly, Walker,Lunt,
Allgood, Blair, Clarkson, Donaldson, Tilse, Cockayne, Greenwood, Minns
Marsh, Lawler, Mulhern, Cator, Thompson.
Former Players:
David Luckwell, Tommy Gallagher, James Green Ben Fisher, Jimmy Irvine, Dave Scott
Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven)
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