Batley Bulldogs: Diskin delivers a damning verdict despite weekend win at Rochdale

Batley's coach Matt Diskin. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe

BATLEY BULLDOGS boss Matt Diskin was unhappy with Rochdale Hornets' tactics against his team in the Kingstone Press Championship Shield clash two days ago.

Bulldogs won 34-14 to maintain their push for a home semi-final, but Diskin felt two points were the only positive to come from the game.

Batley centre Jason Crookes was sent-off for punching in the second half, along with Hornets’ Gary Middlehurst. Rochdale substitute Jordan Case and hooker Ben Moore were sin-binned.

“It wasn’t pretty,” Diskin said.

James Brown could miss the rest of Batley's season with a biceps injury. PIC: Paul Butterfield

“I thought we were pretty poor and it was a pretty terrible showing of rugby league.

“It was a very ill-disciplined game. From our players’ point of view we need a strong official in the middle to administer the game.

“When you have got knees dropped on people, kicking out and late hits on our half-back off the ball, if you don’t have a strong official players take the law into their own hands.

“That’s what they did at times.”

James Brown, who was among Bulldogs’ substitutes, suffered a biceps injury and Diskin said he could be ruled out for the rest of Batley’s season.

“If that’s the case it is a hit for us because he has been in good form and playing well,” said the coach, whose side are at home to Oldham on Sunday.