OPPOSITION GUIDE | BATLEY BULLDOGS

AHEAD of Sunday's Round Twelve clash at Odsal Stadium - we take a look at our opponents, third-placed Batley Bulldogs!

Formbook

-       Bradford Bulls, after suffering defeat to Widnes in Round 11 will be looking to bounce back this weekend, against local rivals Batley Bulldogs.

-       Batley have started the season in great form winning seven of their ten opening games, a tied record with ourselves.

The Squad

-       The Bulldogs boast a squad of veteran Championship players, mixed with youth, with players such as Luke Hooley who was previously a product of the Bradford academy. 

-       In the off season, they also added experienced winger Jodie Broughton to their squad, and he has impressed ever since, scoring a handful of tries from the wing. 

The Coach 

-       The Bulldogs are coached by veteran Championship coach Craig Lingard, who joined the club after Matt Diskin left in 2019.

-       Currently, in 2021, he has seen his side start the season in rip-roaring fashion, with seven victories and three losses.

-       Craig Lingard, spent ten years at Batley and finished his career there, racking up 205 appearances for the club, before returning in 2019. 

Connections 

-       Batley boast several former Bradford men, with the most notable former Bull being Luke Hooley, who has lit up the Championship this season and been a standout performer in Batley’s seven victories. 

-       Johnny Campbell, who played for the club in 2016 and 2017, left the club to join Batley in 2018 and still plays for the Bulldogs to this day.

The Stadium

-       Batley Bulldogs play their home games at Mount Pleasant, also known as The Fox’s Biscuits Stadium for sponsorship purposes 

-       The Stadium is the oldest Rugby League ground in history and Batley have played at Mount Pleasant for the entire history.

Previous affairs

-       During 2019, Bradford Bulls faced Batley Bulldogs twice, both times in the League campaign, recording two victories.

-       The away fixture, ended in a 16-6 victory, with the home game ending in a 16-0 win for Bradford.