Batley looking for Leigh double

Batley Bulldogs coach Karl Harrison will be looking to make it a unique league and cup double over Leigh Centurions as the his side travel to Leigh Sports Village for the live Sky Northern Rail Cup semi-final on Thursday evening (7.30pm).

Despite turning the Centurions over 32-12 at Mount Pleasant in the Co-operative Championship last Sunday, the former Great Britain front row legend is urging caution and warning against complacency.

“That result will count for nothing on Thursday night,” said Karl “and I’m sure they’ll be going all out to get revenge.

“It might give us the psychological edge but if we think like that then we will surely get turned over. It’s all starting from scratch.

“This is cup football at its very best and I’m excited by the prospect of getting the Bulldogs into the final but there’s 80 minutes of tough rugby league to play.

“These sort of occasions are why we play the game,” added Harrison who coached Salford Reds to victory over Leigh in the equivalent trophy, the Arriva Trains Cup, in 2003. 

“Salford were the dominant team that season winning everything we entered and I’ve got good memories of the final at Rochdale. It was one of the highlights of an outstanding season,” added Karl.

The Bulldogs go into the game as the competition’s top scorers with 235 points in five games thanks to a ton up against Gateshead. They booked their semi-final berth with a 26-16 victory over Sheffield Eagles.

The winners will face a Northern Rail Cup final showdown against either Keighley or Widnes who are paired up in the other semi-final at Cougar Park on Sunday.