Lythe missing for derby clash

Batley Bulldogs coach Karl Harrison will need a new hooker for Sunday’s Co-operative Championship derby with Dewsbury Rams.

Kris Lythe, who wore the number nine shirt against Fryston last week, has been suspended for one match and fined £50 after being found guilty of head-butting during the Bulldogs’ recent Northern Rail Cup victory over Halifax.

Batley came through unscathed from their Carnegie Challenge Cup tie with Fryston, meaning Harrison is able to name the bulk of those 17 players to face Dewsbury.

Harrison said: “We played really well against a different type of opposition.

“Fryston were physical and robust, but we played well and scored some nice tries.”

Pat Walker remains Dewbsury’s main injury absentee, having suffered a broken arm in a Northern Rail Cup fixture against Toulouse.

Rams coach Warren Jowitt wants his side to be more ruthless, despite last week’s 62-6 win against South Wales Scorpions.

Jowitt said: “The first 20 minutes and the last quarter of the game were really good but the middle 40 wasn’t so good.

“We let Scorpions off the hook a lot with mistakes.”