Batley vs Eagles Preview

27/02/2020

Sheffield Eagles will be looking to add to their first win of the 2020 season when Batley host the South Yorkshire side on Sunday.

The Eagles saw off Halifax last weekend with a 20-18 triumph in round four of the Coral Challenge Cup.

Sheffield took an early lead at the Mobile Rocket Stadium with Oliver Davies scoring on four minutes.

Joel Farrell registered a try in similar style soon after as he collected an Anthony Thackeray grubber to score.

Halifax levelled up the scores before the break courtesy of tries for Matt Garside and Paul Brearley.

Steve Tyrer was successful with one of his two conversions, the same success rate as Eagles goal-kicker Josh Guzdek in the first period. 

After the restart, the visitors took the lead for the first time when former Catalans Dragons winger Jodie Broughton slid over in the corner.

In a topsy-turvy final quarter, Guzdek regained Sheffield's advantage before Jacob Fairbank touched down to swing the game Halifax's way once more.

A late try decided the game, just like on the opening day of the Championship season, and it was Sheffield’s Davies who crossed four minutes before the hooter.

Batley come into this weekend’s game with one win from their opening three Betfred Championship matches.

The Bulldogs tasted victory against Swinton in round three after defeats to Featherstone Rovers and Widnes Vikings respectively.

Batley exited the Challenge Cup last Friday as Leigh Centurions ran-out 36-10 winners at the Leigh Sports Village.

Craig Lingard’s side trailed 24-6 at the break. Liam Hood and Danny Addy got Leigh off to a good start before Tyler Dupree notched for Batley.

Iain Thornley extended the Centurions' lead with a brace to give the hosts a comfortable lead after the first 40 minutes.

Things got better for John Duffy's men in the second half as Ben Hellewell and Adam Higson both touched down but the Bulldogs offered a response following a Leigh sin-binning.

George Senior muscled over from dummy-half to score a consolation.

One To Watch - Shaun Lunt

Our Batley 'One To Watch' on Sunday is experienced hooker Shaun Lunt.

Lunt has amassed over 320 career appearances and has featured in Super League regularly with the likes of Castleford Tigers, Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos and Hull Kingston Rovers.

The dummy-half has a decent turn of pace for his age and to go along with accurate distribution and an eye for the try-line, Lunt will prove to be a danger to the Eagles' defence.

By Lewis Coleman, graphic by Alex Coleman