Entry 20, 22nd November 2010
I read with interest in the League Express at lunchtime about the RFL's new "Tough Love" stance on Championship Clubs, outstanding tax bills and players.
For those people that haven't seen anything on it yet, it's the lead story on page 3 of this week's edition but to summarise the story, the RFL are planning changes in the way it runs the Co-operative Championship competitions from 2012.
Outside Super League all is not rosy. Blackpool were expelled from the league the other week while in the last few years there have been well documented problems at Doncaster, Rochdale, Gateshead, Keighley and Whitehaven. Combined with Blackpool that's six clubs that have entered administration in recent times and if you go back just a couple of years earlier, Widnes befell the same fate in 2007.
The article pointed out that central distribution to Championship clubs was around £120,000 per year and also said that the "RFL is working closely with HM Revenue & Customs to ensure that clubs are discouraged from falling behind with their payments of PAYE and other tax liabilities."
Key figures in the review will be formal Huddersfield Giants Chief Exec, Ralph Rimmer; now Chief Operations Officer at the RFL and Simon Evans, the RFL Registrations and Salary Cap Manager.
Already one club has fallen foul of the new stance - Batley Bulldogs.
Batley were refused registration for a couple of players because of tax debt, this despite the club saying it had the agreement and terms in hand.
Each club has been asked to provide certain information to Red Hall which will allow books to be scrutinised. RFL Club Financial Manager Steve Williams said "We wanted to check that they were running their businesses in a proper, prudent way. We wanted to know whether they needed any help. The magic formula is prudence and cutting your cloth accordingly."
Someone should perhaps tell Hull Kingston Rovers who announced losses of £3M not long ago.
While it's good to see the RFL getting involved and able to help clubs and give them guidance, by the same token is it not detrimental to clubs if they are being denied registering players in the way that Batley have? I think particularly in Batley's case this is unlucky, they are a tightly run ship and it goes against the grain.
Playing devils advocate again, if such guidance was available at Gateshead in 2009 would they have got themselves in trouble?
Sustainability does however need to become a big watchword. Chatting to people within the sport I do get the feeling of realisation.
What I want the RFL to do though is to take the "whole game" approach. As well as looking at clubs in Championship One, the clubs in Super League should also be open to the same scrutiny and shouldn't sit untouchable. I still feel the same messages should be fed into somewhere like Crusaders who are in administration at the moment. Particularly as Crusaders announced 4 signings last week, and no hint of registrations being denied!
On the wider Championship issue, I expect to see some big changes in the Championship next year. For me the key factor is home games. I reckon everyone needs at least 18 home games to make the system viable and I can see conferences being introduced with all the clubs playing each other in a similar vein to American Football.
For now though I'll forego that just to say that I would be happy with one set of rules for everyone!
Showing posts with label Batley Bulldogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Batley Bulldogs. Show all posts
Monday, 22 November 2010
Thursday, 25 March 2010
RL Comment - Muddy Marvelous! Keighley v Batley
I don't know how anyone else felt about the televised Championship game tonight, but I felt this was another good honest rugby league clash between two sides that wanted to put on a show in dreadful conditions.
I felt it beat last weekend's Super League fare between Crusaders and Catalans Dragons hands down as far more rugby was played. In fact I think the generous teams were doing their best for Sport Relief with a sponsored snoozeathon last week was that bad! Yes there were lots of mistakes and skill levels were a bit lacking in places, but for honest endeavour and having a go, you couldn't criticise either team.
Paul Handforth again showed why he is one of the better halfbacks knocking about outside Super League with a controlling influence on the game and direct input to three of Batley's tries. Keighley too gave their all and they showed once more that they will be a match for anyone on their own ground.
Here is how Sporting Life reported the game, which finished a 22-12 win for visiting Batley:
Batley broke their duck in the Co-operative Championship with a 22-12 win over Keighley at a muddy Cougar Park on Thursday night.
The Cougars had their first win in their sights when they led 12-10 at half-time thanks to tries from Tom Burton and Danny Jones and two goals from Jones in reply to tries from Chris Buttery and Mark Barlow.
Both sides had scores disallowed by video referee Stuart Cummings before the Bulldogs secured the points with late tries from Sean Hesketh and Danny Maun.
I felt it beat last weekend's Super League fare between Crusaders and Catalans Dragons hands down as far more rugby was played. In fact I think the generous teams were doing their best for Sport Relief with a sponsored snoozeathon last week was that bad! Yes there were lots of mistakes and skill levels were a bit lacking in places, but for honest endeavour and having a go, you couldn't criticise either team.
Paul Handforth again showed why he is one of the better halfbacks knocking about outside Super League with a controlling influence on the game and direct input to three of Batley's tries. Keighley too gave their all and they showed once more that they will be a match for anyone on their own ground.
Here is how Sporting Life reported the game, which finished a 22-12 win for visiting Batley:
Batley broke their duck in the Co-operative Championship with a 22-12 win over Keighley at a muddy Cougar Park on Thursday night.
The Cougars had their first win in their sights when they led 12-10 at half-time thanks to tries from Tom Burton and Danny Jones and two goals from Jones in reply to tries from Chris Buttery and Mark Barlow.
Both sides had scores disallowed by video referee Stuart Cummings before the Bulldogs secured the points with late tries from Sean Hesketh and Danny Maun.
Saturday, 20 March 2010
RL Comment - My praise for Batley Bulldogs record breaking win
Congratulations to Batley Bulldogs on their club record victory of 100-4 gainst Gateshead. Yes you did read that right. A fantastic effort by Baltey. To score 17 tries in any game is no mean feat. There is only once that I've ever seen 100 points scored in the flesh and that was a Challenge Cup tie involving Rochdle Hornets and amateurs Illingworth when Hornets won 120-4.
Leading the points on the historic night was young halfback Gareth Moore. He bagged two tries and 16 goals for a magnificent 40 points.
Moore began the rout after 3 minutes and was quickly followed by Chris Buttery and Aaron Wood (2), before his second came after 27 minutes. David Tootill and Jason Walton kept the scoreboard ticking until half-time with Michael Brown scoring the only Gateshead points.
Ten further tries followed in the second half through Tootill, Mark Barlow, the prolific Jonny Campbell (3), while Sean Hesketh, Ian Preece and Craig Potter also got in on the act with Walton scoring a second try and Preece also finishing with a brace at the end.
Once again congratulations to Batley, the victory was even more noteworthy as it came at Gateshead's Thunderdome home.
I wonder if the assembled media had enough paper to keep track of the scores?
The Bulldogs sit out of league action this weekend but return to work next week (25th) with a televised clash against the Keighley Cougars.
Once again well done to Batley. I think they will test most teams this season.
Leading the points on the historic night was young halfback Gareth Moore. He bagged two tries and 16 goals for a magnificent 40 points.
Moore began the rout after 3 minutes and was quickly followed by Chris Buttery and Aaron Wood (2), before his second came after 27 minutes. David Tootill and Jason Walton kept the scoreboard ticking until half-time with Michael Brown scoring the only Gateshead points.
Ten further tries followed in the second half through Tootill, Mark Barlow, the prolific Jonny Campbell (3), while Sean Hesketh, Ian Preece and Craig Potter also got in on the act with Walton scoring a second try and Preece also finishing with a brace at the end.
Once again congratulations to Batley, the victory was even more noteworthy as it came at Gateshead's Thunderdome home.
I wonder if the assembled media had enough paper to keep track of the scores?
The Bulldogs sit out of league action this weekend but return to work next week (25th) with a televised clash against the Keighley Cougars.
Once again well done to Batley. I think they will test most teams this season.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Championship Report - Batley v Halifax
BATLEY BULLDOGS 24
HALIFAX 34
This game often produces lots of points and tonight was no exception as Halifax ran up a big lead before a thrilling comeback from Batley won the Bulldogs what could prove to be a valuable bonus point.
The Bulldogs made the better start and opened scoring after four minutes when a deft kick from Scotland international halfback Gareth Moore found Ian Preece and he showed good strength to wrestle past James Haley and Shad Royston for the try. Moore converted to put Batley 6-0 up.
An unlucky call against Bulldogs winger Lee Greenwood resulted in possession for Fax from a scrum and after having little luck in stretching the defence, the visitors played it tight with Sean Penkywicz putting a short pass onto Dominic Maloney for the 23 year old prop to score. Paterson kicked the first of five goals and it was all level - 6-6.
Jon Goddard saw a try disallowed while Makali Aizue was held up. At this stage Halifax took a stranglehold on possession, aided by a 4-0 penalty count from the whistle of referee Ron Laughton. Four consecutive sets followed before another short ball from Penkywicz saw Maloney through for number two.
Batley only won their first penalty after 18 minutes but the Bulldogs couldn't take advantage when a dipping pass from Chris Buttery was knocked on by support.
Five minutes later, the visitors grabbed their second try when Ben Black passed left and a late change of direction from David Wrench took him past a couple of tacklers and over the try line.
The Bulldogs poured forward after half an our but James Martin couldn't hold onto the ball and the opportunity was lost. After defending their line, Batley won a penalty but Gareth Moore didn't find touch and within a minute former Gateshead halfback Luke Branighan dummied and forced his way over the line.
Minutes later, Batley again received a penalty in their own half and Paul Handforth missed touch. Halifax moved downfield and scored their fifth try when Royston evaded Danny Maun's tackle to cross. On the stroke of half-time Paterson struck a penalty from distance and Halifax looked out of sight at 30-6.
Three minutes into the new half, Fax surged upfield again for Branighan to make the line a second time. Paterson missed the conversion but at 34-6 it looked like game over. That is what Halifax seemed to think too.
Grabbing inspiration and spirit from somewhere, and aided by a turnaround in penalties, Batley began to offer a challenge. First big Sean Hesketh made inroads then former Salford and Leeds forward Jason Walton was prevented from scoring before alert play from dummy half led to Ash Lindsay pinching a try.
As penalties continued to be blown, Fax lost Wrench to the sinbin on 59 minutes and Batley snapped into action despite losing Handforth to injury.
Kyle Wood dinked a kick to his left and Preece was close to kicking on before Rob Worrincy tracked back to concede a drop out in the 66th minute. A minute later Kris Lythe's run set the position and Johnny Campbell grounded at the second time of asking despite best efforts of Goddard. Moore goaled quickly and was then on target 65 seconds later when Lindsay and Lythe went down the middle before Lindsay took the ball right and Campbell dashed in for his 11th try of the season. Moore added his 4th goal and despite some more attack from both teams there was no further scoring.
Halifax were able to breathe a sigh of relief at the end while Batley wondered what could have been but for a loose and mistake ridden opening.
BATLEY: Tries: Preece (4), Lindsay (50), Campbell 2 (67, 69). Goals: Moore 4/4.
HALIFAX: Tries: Maloney 2 (9, 15), Wrench (23), Branighan 2 (32, 43), Royston (38). Goals: Paterson 5/7.
Referee: Ron Laughton .
Penalties: Batley 17 Halifax 9.
Attendance: 837.
HALIFAX 34
This game often produces lots of points and tonight was no exception as Halifax ran up a big lead before a thrilling comeback from Batley won the Bulldogs what could prove to be a valuable bonus point.
The Bulldogs made the better start and opened scoring after four minutes when a deft kick from Scotland international halfback Gareth Moore found Ian Preece and he showed good strength to wrestle past James Haley and Shad Royston for the try. Moore converted to put Batley 6-0 up.
An unlucky call against Bulldogs winger Lee Greenwood resulted in possession for Fax from a scrum and after having little luck in stretching the defence, the visitors played it tight with Sean Penkywicz putting a short pass onto Dominic Maloney for the 23 year old prop to score. Paterson kicked the first of five goals and it was all level - 6-6.
Jon Goddard saw a try disallowed while Makali Aizue was held up. At this stage Halifax took a stranglehold on possession, aided by a 4-0 penalty count from the whistle of referee Ron Laughton. Four consecutive sets followed before another short ball from Penkywicz saw Maloney through for number two.
Batley only won their first penalty after 18 minutes but the Bulldogs couldn't take advantage when a dipping pass from Chris Buttery was knocked on by support.
Five minutes later, the visitors grabbed their second try when Ben Black passed left and a late change of direction from David Wrench took him past a couple of tacklers and over the try line.
The Bulldogs poured forward after half an our but James Martin couldn't hold onto the ball and the opportunity was lost. After defending their line, Batley won a penalty but Gareth Moore didn't find touch and within a minute former Gateshead halfback Luke Branighan dummied and forced his way over the line.
Minutes later, Batley again received a penalty in their own half and Paul Handforth missed touch. Halifax moved downfield and scored their fifth try when Royston evaded Danny Maun's tackle to cross. On the stroke of half-time Paterson struck a penalty from distance and Halifax looked out of sight at 30-6.
Three minutes into the new half, Fax surged upfield again for Branighan to make the line a second time. Paterson missed the conversion but at 34-6 it looked like game over. That is what Halifax seemed to think too.
Grabbing inspiration and spirit from somewhere, and aided by a turnaround in penalties, Batley began to offer a challenge. First big Sean Hesketh made inroads then former Salford and Leeds forward Jason Walton was prevented from scoring before alert play from dummy half led to Ash Lindsay pinching a try.
As penalties continued to be blown, Fax lost Wrench to the sinbin on 59 minutes and Batley snapped into action despite losing Handforth to injury.
Kyle Wood dinked a kick to his left and Preece was close to kicking on before Rob Worrincy tracked back to concede a drop out in the 66th minute. A minute later Kris Lythe's run set the position and Johnny Campbell grounded at the second time of asking despite best efforts of Goddard. Moore goaled quickly and was then on target 65 seconds later when Lindsay and Lythe went down the middle before Lindsay took the ball right and Campbell dashed in for his 11th try of the season. Moore added his 4th goal and despite some more attack from both teams there was no further scoring.
Halifax were able to breathe a sigh of relief at the end while Batley wondered what could have been but for a loose and mistake ridden opening.
BATLEY: Tries: Preece (4), Lindsay (50), Campbell 2 (67, 69). Goals: Moore 4/4.
HALIFAX: Tries: Maloney 2 (9, 15), Wrench (23), Branighan 2 (32, 43), Royston (38). Goals: Paterson 5/7.
Referee: Ron Laughton .
Penalties: Batley 17 Halifax 9.
Attendance: 837.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Visiting Star: Sean Richardson
Another game against Batley in 2006 brought another Visiting Star article - this time the much travelled Sean Richardson.
Today’s visiting star is Batley second-rower Sean Richardson.
Richardson is no stranger to the Coliseum, having spent a season with Leigh in 2003. He is also one of the most experienced players around when it comes to Grand Finals at this level, having appeared for Wakefield, Dewsbury and Widnes on the winning side and just last year he was in the second row as Batley managed to stave off the threat of relegation with a dramatic 28-26 NL1 Qualifying Final win over Dewsbury.
Sean is now in his 14th season in the professional ranks and has played more than 250 career games since he was first signed by Featherstone Rovers in 1993. In two seasons with Rovers, Richardson made just one first team appearance before moving onto Castleford.
During the Centenary season Richardson made three substitute appearances for the Tigers and followed this up with another seven as Castleford moved into the Super League era. The following season saw Richardson start pretty well but the Tigers form was poor and with relegation on the mind of everyone at the Jungle, Richardson made a surprise mid season move to Widnes. The Vikings were in a state of transition on and off the field with work beginning on the site of their old Naughton Park ground. Sean played 9 games, scoring 3 tries. Two of those came in a 50-10 play-off defeat against Rochdale played in Runcorn at Canal Street. The game also saw a try for ex-Great Britain international Steve Hampson and Jamie Bloem kicked six goals before a crowd of just 893.
Widnes retained their First Division status by the skin of their teeth with previous season runners-up Huddersfield being promoted to Super League after the loss of Paris St Germaine. Richardson played in 13 games for Widnes during the season and enjoyed a superb game against Wakefield at the Halton Stadium. A pulsating game saw fortunes fluctuate and Sean scored two of the Vikings three tries before Widnes eventually lost 20-30.
It was enough to alert Trinity to Richardson’s talents and Sean returned across the Pennines to play for the Wildcats. He was a substitute in Wakefield’s 24-22 Grand Final success over Featherstone Rovers and played full part as a try five minutes from time by current Hull KR prop Francis Stephenson, converted by Australian Garen Casey nudged them back in front. It is interesting to note that one of Sean’s team-mates that day was current Leigh centre Adam Hughes. The game was played at Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium with a crow of 8,224 in attendance.
Following the Wildcats promotion, Richardson was rewarded with a Super League contract for the following season. Sean was used sparingly by Wakefield and joined Dewsbury Rams midway through their 1999 season. He played in nine games at the back-end of the campaign adding an important score in a 24-24 draw at Keighley. He made an even bigger contribution five weeks later, scoring one of only two tries as the Rams carved out a narrow 10-6 success over Hunslet Hawks. Two wins later, the Rams were crowned Minor Premiers and set up an interesting play-off clash with Widnes. The Vikings were no match for Dewsbury that day as a near capacity crowd of 3,210 roared the Rams to a convincing 28-6 win. Richardson was again a substitute in the Grand Final played at Headingley. A tight and competitive game was just edged 12-11 by Hunslet but Rugby League politics robbed the Hawks of promotion.
2000 finally saw Richardson settle into regular first team action. He turned in some top notch performances along the way, scoring 14 tries in 37 appearances. Sean proved a scourge of former club Widnes as the Rams again bundled the Vikings out in a knock-out game, winning 29-16 in the Challenge Cup. He also scored two tries weeks later as Leigh edged a classic encounter by 22-18 and again claimed a brace in a big 72-13 win over Lancashire Lynx. The Rams went virtually unbeaten at home after that game with Leigh and Richardson was on the scoresheet when they clashed with previous season champions Hunslet. The game was a mismatch with Dewsbury easing to a 46-0 win over a side that eventually limped to 15th position.
Although the Rams lost in surprising fashion to 12-man Leigh in the play-offs, there was plenty of spirit left and Dewsbury finished the Grand Final aspirations of Featherstone and Keighley before winning a Gigg Lane nail-biter, 13-12 before a crowd of 8,487.
The Rams were denied promotion and a break-up of the team, like with Hunslet 12 months earlier began to happen around mid-season. Coach Neil Kelly moved to Widnes and he was to return to his former club within days to prise Richard Agar, Richardson and Matthew Long away. Before leaving Ram Stadium, Richardson was ever present and scored four tries including one in a narrow 20-18 success over Swinton.
Richardson then scored a try on his second debut for Widnes but it wasn’t to be a winner as Leigh won through 26-22 in a game that will long be remembered for Neil Turley’s wonderful 65 metre solo try. It was to be the only time that Richardson would taste defeat again in 2001 as the Vikings went from strength to strength to secure second spot. June was a profitable month for Sean as he scored a tries in successive games with Batley (one), Chorley (two) and York (two). Widnes were the form team leading into the play-offs and wins over Rochdale and Leigh secured another Grand Final appearance for Richardson. Tries from Jason Demetriou (2), Steve Gee, Phil Cantillon and Damian Munro secured a 24-14 win over Oldham, a victory that was more emphatic than the scoreline suggests.
It signalled a return to Super League for the Vikings and their first crack at the top division since 1995. Neil Kelly kept the nucleus of his Grand Final team together and Richardson was rewarded with a Super League contract for 2002.
Some shrewd acquisitions, including a prize signature of Dewsbury scrum-half Barry Eaton, helped Kelly form a successful squad and the Vikings finished well clear of relegation in their first season back. Sean played in 21 games that season but started only two. His only try of the campaign came in the Vikings narrow 16-22 defeat to Bradford Bulls in front of 8,844 screaming fans.
Widnes opted not to retain Richardson for 2003 and Paul Terzis stepped in, looking to make it third time lucky as far as Grand Finals and Leigh went. Sean took his place in an exciting squad that also reunited him with fellow Grand Final winner Damian Munro. The Centurions later added to their squad when they clinched the signatures of former Lance Todd Trophy winning pair Leroy Rivett and Tommy Martyn.
Sean was an ever-present for the Centurions in 2003, starting 35 of the 36 games. He also added 8 tries. His first came on a historic night when Leigh defeated Russian champions Locomotiv Moscow 62-0 in the Challenge Cup. It was a season that saw Leigh clash seven times with relegated Salford and Richardson was one of three try-scorers in an exciting 20-20 draw with the Reds. Sean’s most important try for Leigh came when an injury hit Centurions selection travelled to Whitehaven. Few predicted anything other than a Whitehaven win but the Centurions excelled and won 20-8. Sean played on the losing side as Leigh went down in the Arriva Final to Salford. The Centurions showed good resilience after this to fight to the Grand Final and although Richardson scored one of the Centurions three tries they were soundly beaten 31-14 by Salford again.
Richardson then linked with Batley, and has represented the Bulldogs for the last three seasons. He showed in 2004 that he was still among the top second rowers in the National League with 12 tries and whilst last season and this have not been as prolific, Sean is still a handy player and one to look out for today.
Since the article was penned history will show that Richardson continued to represent Batley until March 2008 when he joined Leigh for a second time and played a ten game first team farewell as a prop forward before hanging his playing boots up.
It was in the Centurions Reserve side however, that Richardson’s influence shone strong with both John Cookson and Matt Astley making it into the first team.
Today’s visiting star is Batley second-rower Sean Richardson.
Richardson is no stranger to the Coliseum, having spent a season with Leigh in 2003. He is also one of the most experienced players around when it comes to Grand Finals at this level, having appeared for Wakefield, Dewsbury and Widnes on the winning side and just last year he was in the second row as Batley managed to stave off the threat of relegation with a dramatic 28-26 NL1 Qualifying Final win over Dewsbury.
Sean is now in his 14th season in the professional ranks and has played more than 250 career games since he was first signed by Featherstone Rovers in 1993. In two seasons with Rovers, Richardson made just one first team appearance before moving onto Castleford.
During the Centenary season Richardson made three substitute appearances for the Tigers and followed this up with another seven as Castleford moved into the Super League era. The following season saw Richardson start pretty well but the Tigers form was poor and with relegation on the mind of everyone at the Jungle, Richardson made a surprise mid season move to Widnes. The Vikings were in a state of transition on and off the field with work beginning on the site of their old Naughton Park ground. Sean played 9 games, scoring 3 tries. Two of those came in a 50-10 play-off defeat against Rochdale played in Runcorn at Canal Street. The game also saw a try for ex-Great Britain international Steve Hampson and Jamie Bloem kicked six goals before a crowd of just 893.
Widnes retained their First Division status by the skin of their teeth with previous season runners-up Huddersfield being promoted to Super League after the loss of Paris St Germaine. Richardson played in 13 games for Widnes during the season and enjoyed a superb game against Wakefield at the Halton Stadium. A pulsating game saw fortunes fluctuate and Sean scored two of the Vikings three tries before Widnes eventually lost 20-30.
It was enough to alert Trinity to Richardson’s talents and Sean returned across the Pennines to play for the Wildcats. He was a substitute in Wakefield’s 24-22 Grand Final success over Featherstone Rovers and played full part as a try five minutes from time by current Hull KR prop Francis Stephenson, converted by Australian Garen Casey nudged them back in front. It is interesting to note that one of Sean’s team-mates that day was current Leigh centre Adam Hughes. The game was played at Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium with a crow of 8,224 in attendance.
Following the Wildcats promotion, Richardson was rewarded with a Super League contract for the following season. Sean was used sparingly by Wakefield and joined Dewsbury Rams midway through their 1999 season. He played in nine games at the back-end of the campaign adding an important score in a 24-24 draw at Keighley. He made an even bigger contribution five weeks later, scoring one of only two tries as the Rams carved out a narrow 10-6 success over Hunslet Hawks. Two wins later, the Rams were crowned Minor Premiers and set up an interesting play-off clash with Widnes. The Vikings were no match for Dewsbury that day as a near capacity crowd of 3,210 roared the Rams to a convincing 28-6 win. Richardson was again a substitute in the Grand Final played at Headingley. A tight and competitive game was just edged 12-11 by Hunslet but Rugby League politics robbed the Hawks of promotion.
2000 finally saw Richardson settle into regular first team action. He turned in some top notch performances along the way, scoring 14 tries in 37 appearances. Sean proved a scourge of former club Widnes as the Rams again bundled the Vikings out in a knock-out game, winning 29-16 in the Challenge Cup. He also scored two tries weeks later as Leigh edged a classic encounter by 22-18 and again claimed a brace in a big 72-13 win over Lancashire Lynx. The Rams went virtually unbeaten at home after that game with Leigh and Richardson was on the scoresheet when they clashed with previous season champions Hunslet. The game was a mismatch with Dewsbury easing to a 46-0 win over a side that eventually limped to 15th position.
Although the Rams lost in surprising fashion to 12-man Leigh in the play-offs, there was plenty of spirit left and Dewsbury finished the Grand Final aspirations of Featherstone and Keighley before winning a Gigg Lane nail-biter, 13-12 before a crowd of 8,487.
The Rams were denied promotion and a break-up of the team, like with Hunslet 12 months earlier began to happen around mid-season. Coach Neil Kelly moved to Widnes and he was to return to his former club within days to prise Richard Agar, Richardson and Matthew Long away. Before leaving Ram Stadium, Richardson was ever present and scored four tries including one in a narrow 20-18 success over Swinton.
Richardson then scored a try on his second debut for Widnes but it wasn’t to be a winner as Leigh won through 26-22 in a game that will long be remembered for Neil Turley’s wonderful 65 metre solo try. It was to be the only time that Richardson would taste defeat again in 2001 as the Vikings went from strength to strength to secure second spot. June was a profitable month for Sean as he scored a tries in successive games with Batley (one), Chorley (two) and York (two). Widnes were the form team leading into the play-offs and wins over Rochdale and Leigh secured another Grand Final appearance for Richardson. Tries from Jason Demetriou (2), Steve Gee, Phil Cantillon and Damian Munro secured a 24-14 win over Oldham, a victory that was more emphatic than the scoreline suggests.
It signalled a return to Super League for the Vikings and their first crack at the top division since 1995. Neil Kelly kept the nucleus of his Grand Final team together and Richardson was rewarded with a Super League contract for 2002.
Some shrewd acquisitions, including a prize signature of Dewsbury scrum-half Barry Eaton, helped Kelly form a successful squad and the Vikings finished well clear of relegation in their first season back. Sean played in 21 games that season but started only two. His only try of the campaign came in the Vikings narrow 16-22 defeat to Bradford Bulls in front of 8,844 screaming fans.
Widnes opted not to retain Richardson for 2003 and Paul Terzis stepped in, looking to make it third time lucky as far as Grand Finals and Leigh went. Sean took his place in an exciting squad that also reunited him with fellow Grand Final winner Damian Munro. The Centurions later added to their squad when they clinched the signatures of former Lance Todd Trophy winning pair Leroy Rivett and Tommy Martyn.
Sean was an ever-present for the Centurions in 2003, starting 35 of the 36 games. He also added 8 tries. His first came on a historic night when Leigh defeated Russian champions Locomotiv Moscow 62-0 in the Challenge Cup. It was a season that saw Leigh clash seven times with relegated Salford and Richardson was one of three try-scorers in an exciting 20-20 draw with the Reds. Sean’s most important try for Leigh came when an injury hit Centurions selection travelled to Whitehaven. Few predicted anything other than a Whitehaven win but the Centurions excelled and won 20-8. Sean played on the losing side as Leigh went down in the Arriva Final to Salford. The Centurions showed good resilience after this to fight to the Grand Final and although Richardson scored one of the Centurions three tries they were soundly beaten 31-14 by Salford again.
Richardson then linked with Batley, and has represented the Bulldogs for the last three seasons. He showed in 2004 that he was still among the top second rowers in the National League with 12 tries and whilst last season and this have not been as prolific, Sean is still a handy player and one to look out for today.
Since the article was penned history will show that Richardson continued to represent Batley until March 2008 when he joined Leigh for a second time and played a ten game first team farewell as a prop forward before hanging his playing boots up.
It was in the Centurions Reserve side however, that Richardson’s influence shone strong with both John Cookson and Matt Astley making it into the first team.
Visiting Star - Craig Lingard
For a season I contributed an article to the programme called Visiting Star. This was inspired by a former Leigh programme editor and friend Mark Taylor who, during a Leigh season in the old First Division in the early 1990's, used to come up with something similar.
Here is a piece I penned about then Batley fullback Craig Lingard.
VISITING STAR – CRAIG LINGARD
The West Yorkshire village of Sharlston, once a well known mining community on the coalfields, has produced its fair share of rugby players over the years with revered RL Hall of Fame members Jonty Parkin, and points machine Neil Fox amongst their number. In fact Neil’s brothers Peter and Don have also written themselves into rugby league history but their story is for another time.
Today’s Visiting Star has shone brighter than most before him at Batley and it is amazing to think that he is still only 28 years of age. Craig Lingard turned professional from Sharlston Rovers, whose home ground behind a local pub is fondly referred too as “Back o' t' Wall”, in February 1998.
Following in his fathers footsteps (Steve Lingard appeared in 85 games for Batley between 1971 and 1975), Craig put pressure on players in the first team. That first season saw Craig take tentative steps and he appeared four times from the bench.
1999 saw Lingard make his mark. He started seven games and was a substitute in a further seventeen. During the season Craig scored ten tries with his first coming in a 30-0 home defeat of Oldham. He enjoyed an April encounter with Barrow at Mount Pleasant. Not only were the Bulldogs victorious 32-19, Lingard scored two tries. He was again amongst the scorers in Batley’s next fixture as they clinched a shock 17-16 victory over promotion chasing Widnes Vikings at the Halton Stadium. Unfortunately after pushing for a top eight spot for most of the season, six defeats on the bounce saw the Bulldogs finish 12th.
Although the Bulldogs dropped a further four places in 2000, they remained a competitive side. Lingard finished top scorer with 19 tries from 27 appearances, a feat all the more noteworthy because it wasn’t until the fifth game of the campaign that Craig scored his first try. Batley also suffered the embarrassment of a shock 10-0 loss to amateurs Oldham St Annes. Craig scored a try brace in games with Lancashire Lynx, Dewsbury and Doncaster but Batley found wins hard to come by and were victorious in just six of their 28 league encounters. The Bulldogs headed to the close season with seven straight losses but Lingard was in sparkling form, grabbing his first professional hat-trick in vain during a 33-20 defeat at Rochdale and adding 5 tries to his tally during the last three league games.
Hopes were high of progress in 2001 as the Bulldogs started the season under the leadership of Jon Sharp. Unfortunately he left for Huddersfield and former Leeds boss David Ward was re-installed before making way for Paul Storey. The off-field coaching saga put pay to a promising start that saw the Bulldogs shock Hull KR with an 18-16 win. By this time Lingard’s pedigree was growing and he again displayed true finishing prowess with 4 tries in a 70-0 Challenge Cup thrashing of Heworth. Craig was one of two try scorers at Hilton Park as the Bulldogs earned praise for their play despite a 34-8 defeat to Leigh. Lingard went on to claim three try braces during the season, helping the Bulldogs to victories over Whitehaven (18-14) and Sheffield Eagles (23-2). The other came in a narrow 25-16 defeat at Workington. Craig also added another hat-trick to his tally, scoring all three of Batley’s tries in a 14-12 Mount Pleasant derby win over Dewsbury. The game was watched by Batley’s biggest gate of the season and went some way to making sure that Lingard finished the season with 19 tries from 24 games.
A resurgence on the field led by experienced half back pairing Dean Lawford and Glen Tomlinson propelled Batley up the table in 2002. Although the competition was dominated by a rampant full-time Huddersfield, Batley improved immeasurably on previous season efforts. Lingard also finished top of the Bulldogs try scoring charts for the third year in a row with 28 tries, a post war record. It proved to be a record breaking season as Tomlinson rolled back the years to claim 24 tries and overtake the long standing record of 122 tries achieved by “Wattie” Davies.
Craig finished the season with four hat-tricks and five braces and the Bulldogs enjoyed a tremendous run of form, winning 9 of 10 games after bowing out of the National League Cup. For the record, Lingards three try heroics came against Barrow, Hunslet, Hull KR and Doncaster. That Doncaster clash is noteworthy as it was an elimination play-off and the Bulldogs won 27-14.
They quickly became everyone’s favourite play-off underdog and their spirit saw them through tight games with Featherstone (32-30) and Oldham (26-16). Lingard scored a try against the Roughyeds as 2,838 people flocked to Mount Pleasant to see the Bulldogs progress to a Major Semi-Final at Leigh.
Once more Lingard proved a sharp competitor and scored two tries with current hooker Kris Lythe also claiming one but it wasn’t enough and Leigh eventually claimed a 35-28 win.
2003 saw the current National League format adopted and despite being fiercely competitive, the Bulldogs only secured their League One survival thanks to a 36-14 win over Sheffield Eagles in a Qualifying Final. Lingard scored two tries that day, his only brace of the season. It was not a quiet term on the scoring front however as Craig topped the club scoring charts again with twenty touchdowns. Those totals were boosted by hat-tricks against Keighley and London Skolars whilst Sheffield felt the full scoring wrath of him and centre Chris Spurr. The pair helped themselves to a quartet of tries each in a 62-12 win. Highlights that term included an 82-4 rout of London Skolars in which new signing Barry Eaton booted 11 goals, a narrow16-12 win over Hull KR at Craven Park in the National League Cup Quarter Finals and a league double over Dewsbury Rams.
Batley moved up to 7th in 2004 but injury forced Lingard to play a frustrating cameo role. He appeared just six times, scoring four tries whilst Mark Sibson took his number one shirt for most of the season, also assuming the club top scorer tag with 16.
Thankfully, Lingard was able to put those injury problems behind him last season, appearing in 25 of the Bulldogs 29 games. He resumed his mantle of club top scorer with 16 which included a hat-trick in a 34-6 National League Cup away win at Sheffield and braces in exciting 50-30 and 40-18 wins over Barrow. Good support came from halfbacks Neil Roden and Barry Eaton but the Bulldogs were reliant on a play-off to retain their National League one status once more. With local stand-off John Gallagher in good form, Batley edged a superb contest over rivals Dewsbury 28-26.
Lingard began the season with 116 tries to his name and surpassed Tomlinson’s 124 tries with a score in a narrow 24-22 win over Doncaster. The Bulldogs have once again emerged as a play-off dark horse with former Leigh halfback Jay Duffy pulling the midfield strings.
Craig has enjoyed a profitable campaign thus far with 22 tries to his name. These have included try braces against Limoux in the Challenge Cup, York in the league (home and away) and against Widnes and Oldham at “the Mount”. He also claimed one hat-trick in Batley’s 40-8 win over Oldham at Boundary Park and scored the winning touchdown in the Bulldogs shock 14-8 home win over Leigh in June.
Lingard has now written himself into the Batley history books and stands proudly as their most prolific try scorer.
Here is a piece I penned about then Batley fullback Craig Lingard.
VISITING STAR – CRAIG LINGARD
The West Yorkshire village of Sharlston, once a well known mining community on the coalfields, has produced its fair share of rugby players over the years with revered RL Hall of Fame members Jonty Parkin, and points machine Neil Fox amongst their number. In fact Neil’s brothers Peter and Don have also written themselves into rugby league history but their story is for another time.
Today’s Visiting Star has shone brighter than most before him at Batley and it is amazing to think that he is still only 28 years of age. Craig Lingard turned professional from Sharlston Rovers, whose home ground behind a local pub is fondly referred too as “Back o' t' Wall”, in February 1998.
Following in his fathers footsteps (Steve Lingard appeared in 85 games for Batley between 1971 and 1975), Craig put pressure on players in the first team. That first season saw Craig take tentative steps and he appeared four times from the bench.
1999 saw Lingard make his mark. He started seven games and was a substitute in a further seventeen. During the season Craig scored ten tries with his first coming in a 30-0 home defeat of Oldham. He enjoyed an April encounter with Barrow at Mount Pleasant. Not only were the Bulldogs victorious 32-19, Lingard scored two tries. He was again amongst the scorers in Batley’s next fixture as they clinched a shock 17-16 victory over promotion chasing Widnes Vikings at the Halton Stadium. Unfortunately after pushing for a top eight spot for most of the season, six defeats on the bounce saw the Bulldogs finish 12th.
Although the Bulldogs dropped a further four places in 2000, they remained a competitive side. Lingard finished top scorer with 19 tries from 27 appearances, a feat all the more noteworthy because it wasn’t until the fifth game of the campaign that Craig scored his first try. Batley also suffered the embarrassment of a shock 10-0 loss to amateurs Oldham St Annes. Craig scored a try brace in games with Lancashire Lynx, Dewsbury and Doncaster but Batley found wins hard to come by and were victorious in just six of their 28 league encounters. The Bulldogs headed to the close season with seven straight losses but Lingard was in sparkling form, grabbing his first professional hat-trick in vain during a 33-20 defeat at Rochdale and adding 5 tries to his tally during the last three league games.
Hopes were high of progress in 2001 as the Bulldogs started the season under the leadership of Jon Sharp. Unfortunately he left for Huddersfield and former Leeds boss David Ward was re-installed before making way for Paul Storey. The off-field coaching saga put pay to a promising start that saw the Bulldogs shock Hull KR with an 18-16 win. By this time Lingard’s pedigree was growing and he again displayed true finishing prowess with 4 tries in a 70-0 Challenge Cup thrashing of Heworth. Craig was one of two try scorers at Hilton Park as the Bulldogs earned praise for their play despite a 34-8 defeat to Leigh. Lingard went on to claim three try braces during the season, helping the Bulldogs to victories over Whitehaven (18-14) and Sheffield Eagles (23-2). The other came in a narrow 25-16 defeat at Workington. Craig also added another hat-trick to his tally, scoring all three of Batley’s tries in a 14-12 Mount Pleasant derby win over Dewsbury. The game was watched by Batley’s biggest gate of the season and went some way to making sure that Lingard finished the season with 19 tries from 24 games.
A resurgence on the field led by experienced half back pairing Dean Lawford and Glen Tomlinson propelled Batley up the table in 2002. Although the competition was dominated by a rampant full-time Huddersfield, Batley improved immeasurably on previous season efforts. Lingard also finished top of the Bulldogs try scoring charts for the third year in a row with 28 tries, a post war record. It proved to be a record breaking season as Tomlinson rolled back the years to claim 24 tries and overtake the long standing record of 122 tries achieved by “Wattie” Davies.
Craig finished the season with four hat-tricks and five braces and the Bulldogs enjoyed a tremendous run of form, winning 9 of 10 games after bowing out of the National League Cup. For the record, Lingards three try heroics came against Barrow, Hunslet, Hull KR and Doncaster. That Doncaster clash is noteworthy as it was an elimination play-off and the Bulldogs won 27-14.
They quickly became everyone’s favourite play-off underdog and their spirit saw them through tight games with Featherstone (32-30) and Oldham (26-16). Lingard scored a try against the Roughyeds as 2,838 people flocked to Mount Pleasant to see the Bulldogs progress to a Major Semi-Final at Leigh.
Once more Lingard proved a sharp competitor and scored two tries with current hooker Kris Lythe also claiming one but it wasn’t enough and Leigh eventually claimed a 35-28 win.
2003 saw the current National League format adopted and despite being fiercely competitive, the Bulldogs only secured their League One survival thanks to a 36-14 win over Sheffield Eagles in a Qualifying Final. Lingard scored two tries that day, his only brace of the season. It was not a quiet term on the scoring front however as Craig topped the club scoring charts again with twenty touchdowns. Those totals were boosted by hat-tricks against Keighley and London Skolars whilst Sheffield felt the full scoring wrath of him and centre Chris Spurr. The pair helped themselves to a quartet of tries each in a 62-12 win. Highlights that term included an 82-4 rout of London Skolars in which new signing Barry Eaton booted 11 goals, a narrow16-12 win over Hull KR at Craven Park in the National League Cup Quarter Finals and a league double over Dewsbury Rams.
Batley moved up to 7th in 2004 but injury forced Lingard to play a frustrating cameo role. He appeared just six times, scoring four tries whilst Mark Sibson took his number one shirt for most of the season, also assuming the club top scorer tag with 16.
Thankfully, Lingard was able to put those injury problems behind him last season, appearing in 25 of the Bulldogs 29 games. He resumed his mantle of club top scorer with 16 which included a hat-trick in a 34-6 National League Cup away win at Sheffield and braces in exciting 50-30 and 40-18 wins over Barrow. Good support came from halfbacks Neil Roden and Barry Eaton but the Bulldogs were reliant on a play-off to retain their National League one status once more. With local stand-off John Gallagher in good form, Batley edged a superb contest over rivals Dewsbury 28-26.
Lingard began the season with 116 tries to his name and surpassed Tomlinson’s 124 tries with a score in a narrow 24-22 win over Doncaster. The Bulldogs have once again emerged as a play-off dark horse with former Leigh halfback Jay Duffy pulling the midfield strings.
Craig has enjoyed a profitable campaign thus far with 22 tries to his name. These have included try braces against Limoux in the Challenge Cup, York in the league (home and away) and against Widnes and Oldham at “the Mount”. He also claimed one hat-trick in Batley’s 40-8 win over Oldham at Boundary Park and scored the winning touchdown in the Bulldogs shock 14-8 home win over Leigh in June.
Lingard has now written himself into the Batley history books and stands proudly as their most prolific try scorer.
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