Newcastle Thunder v Batley preview

Sunday afternoon sees Newcastle Thunder host Batley Bulldogs in the last sixteen of The 1895 Cup, in the first of two meetings of the teams within a fortnight. It’s also the start of three big home games in a row for Newcastle Thunder. Newcastle Thunder have never beaten Batley, hopefully that can change this weekend!

Batley to be respected

Batley, similarly to Hunslet they are one of the well run clubs in rugby league. They live within their means and is the home for food in rugby league! Batley currently sit twelfth in The Betfred Championship but they’ve played some of the big hitters in the league including Doncaster and London. 

They will be disappointed to lose out by a point at Salford last weekend and will no doubt be looking to bounce back on Sunday afternoon. In James Ford, they have a coach who knows The Championship and how to navigate it. Player wise, they have talismanic ex-Thunder man Josh Woods steering the ship. You add in the experience of the likes of Dane Manning and Alistair Leak and this is a battle hardened Championship outfit.

Defence and discipline 

As much as Thunder could feel aggrieved at some of the decisions last weekend, I don’t think that will be used as an excuse in the Thunder camp. Graham Steadman will look for his side to improve their discipline, defence and focus. The discipline side of things speaks for itself, the penalty count was far too high last week. Defensively things have improved since earlier in the season and hopefully conceding thirty four points last week was a blip. Last week saw Thunder go 12-0 up and then they allowed Hunslet back into the game, they will look for focus to keep a lead and not take their foot off the metal and keep control. 

As Thunder come to take on Batley and Barrow over the next three games, they can’t afford to dip out of the game. If they do, they will be punished. Probably the most frustrating thing about last weekend was that there’s so much talent in this group and they’re much better than what we saw at times last weekend. The other thing to remember is this is a relatively young group and they’re learning week on week.

Graham Steadman has named an eighteen man squad which includes the return of Joe Law following his appearance for York last weekend. Nuikau Williams is on loan from York this weekend, as he makes a return in Thunder colours. Cody Hunter makes his York debut which is thoroughly deserved. Likewise Myles Harrison is named in the York side and makes his Super League debut. This just shows the quality of player that the performance pathway allows us to see week in week out. There’s enough firepower in the Thunder squad to cause Batley some problems as both teams look to advance in the cup and go into the quarter finals.

Squads and officials:

Newcastle Thunder: 2. Andy Djeukessi, 3. Joe Law, 4. Jude Ferreira, 5. Brad Ward, 8. Bailey Antrobus, 9. Taylor Pemberton, 10. Ryan Jackson, 11. Harvey Reynolds, 12. Noah Whittingham, 15. Brenden Santi, 16. Leo Tennison, 17. King Vuniyayawa, 18. Ukuma Ta’ai, 19. Jack Brown, 24. Matty Foster (loan), 27. Jordan Lipp (loan), 30. Tom Inman, 31. Nikau Williams.

Batley Bulldogs: 1. Robbie Butterworth, 2. Joe Burton, 3. Oliver Greensmith, 6. Ben Reynolds, 7. Josh Woods, 9. Alistair Leak, 11. Dane Manning, 12. Lucas Walshaw, 14. Ben White, 15. Nyle Flynn, 16. Michael Ward, 17. Liam Kirk, 18. Evan Hodgson, 19. Jonah Parsons, 20. Jack Hudson, 23. Felix Ellis, 24. Paul Foulstone, Derrell Olpherts, Robson Stevens, Ronan Dixon, Cain Robb, 

Referee: K. Moore

Touch Judge 1: L. Seal

Touch Judge 2: A. Sweet

Venue: Crow Trees

Kick off: 15:00

Tickets

This game isn’t included in the season ticket package. Tickets are available to buy online. Please buy in advance to speed up entry to the ground or use the QR codes before the turnstiles, the pricing is:

Adult (17-64): £15

Concession (over 65): £12

Student: £7.50 (bring valid I.D.)

Hospitality: £35

Under 16: FREE!

1895 Cup fixtures and a Championship game

There’s not been a lot of positivity around The 1895 Cup with teams struggling with injuries and a lack of organisation meaning there’s no final venue officially confirmed. There are strong rumours of Wakefield being the venue. But the cup seems like a bit of an interference for some teams. Throw in North Wales having had their request for their game against Midlands to be cancelled, the result of that will be decided by a panel early next week. My guess is Midlands will be given the win. 

To the games though, Doncaster should beat Salford comfortably and they’re a club that will fancy a cup run. Dewsbury and Widnes go head-to-head two weeks running with Dewsbury having revenge on their mind but I think Widnes will take the win. The story of the weekend came from Goole last weekend, hopefully any replica weapons can be cleared from the ground this Sunday. Goole will be looking for revenge after Whitehaven got an excellent win, I think Goole will get revenge this weekend. Keighley have the short straw of going to London and I expect a comfortable London win. 

1895 Cup

Doncaster v Salford (home win)

Dewsbury Rams v Widnes (away win)

Goole Vikings v Whitehaven (home win)

London v Keighley (home win)

Newcastle v Batley Bulldogs (home win)

Oldham v Hunslet (home win)

Rochdale Hornets v Sheffield Eagles (away win)

Betfred Championship

Barrow v Halifax (home win)