Matt Diskin pleased with Batley whitewash but there’s still room for improvement

Batley head coach Matt Diskin believes that his side only showed glimpses of their potential following a convincing 36-0 win over Hunslet in the Yorkshire Cup.

Diskin’s outfit hit seven unanswered tries against their League 1 counterparts in the opener of Sunday afternoon’s matches at Odsal, booking a semi-final spot with York City Knights next weekend.

Keeping Hunslet scoreless was the pleasing aspect of the performance, according to Diskin, who also stated that we’re yet to see the best that his side have to offer.

“To come away from the game having not conceded a point is a brilliant result, whatever standard of rugby you’re playing in,” said Diskin.

“I thought that we defended our line quite comfortably all game. But, after the first five minutes, in which we played really well, I thought that it was a really scrappy game.

“I believe that we only showed glimpses of our class with some of the tries that we scored.

“I think the game became scrappy because we made quite a lot of changes, on mass as well, rather than being bedded in as will happen throughout the competitive season.”

“Our boys did well. I think from that we can take away a really good defensive display. There’s still room for improvement. But to come away with zero points conceded is really pleasing.”

Both sides were down to 12 men for the majority of the match after props Joe Taira and Richard Moore, of Batley and Hunslet respectively, were sent off for fighting in the opening minutes.

“I think that the red card was a little unnecessary,” added Diskin.

“You’ve got red-bloodied two prop forwards coming together, so let them swing at each other a couple of times.

“Who doesn’t want to see that every now and again? Give them a yellow card and sit them on the side-line to calm down. The sending offs spoils the game and, for me, the game is becoming sterilised at all levels.”