West Wales Raiders head coach and CEO respond to 100-4 defeat

Josh McAllister
Ashley Bateman West Wales Raiders SWpix

Photo: Paul Currie/SWpix

West Wales Raiders head coach Ashley Bateman has responded to his side’s 100-4 defeat to Oldham in the League 1 competition.

The Welsh side have now conceded 234 points in their opening three League 1 fixtures so far this season. They are yet to claim their first win of the year.

They failed to pick up a victory in 2021, with a record of 18 defeats and one draw.

Former player Bateman was appointed head coach ahead of the new campaign. He was in charge on a temporary basis since the previous coaching team left before they even kicked a ball in 2022.

Bateman made almost 150 appearances during his career as a player. He made a solitary Super League appearance in 2009 for Crusaders.

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West Wales Raiders coach responds to defeat

Bateman said: “As the head coach I’m devastated with that result. It’s not what we have been training towards and I take this loss personally.

“It all ends with me and we will be working towards making this team a success.

“We have a good group of boys who are learning. I have only had this group as a whole for five weeks at most, so we are learning and we will work hard to turn it around.”

CEO Peter Tiffin: ‘Please be patient’

CEO Petter Tiffin added: “Yesterday was a difficult one to take. Myself and Andrew are fully behind Ash and his team and what he is trying to achieve.

“But it’s going to take time. It’s a totally different process to previous Raiders coaches and I think it will be a massive positive step up for the club.

“There were glimpses of how Ash wants his squad to play last weekend at home against Rochdale.

“We have a week off this week and we are working hard to grow the squad even further as we have seen a lot of injuries and suspensions has dented the squad already.

“I know we have had a few years in the professional leagues and some may be thinking the club is going backwards in results but please be patient as an arrow needs to be pulled back before it can go forward.”

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League 1 Wests Wales Raiders

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