Batley Bulldogs: Bulldogs learn harsh lesson after resting on laurels

BOSS JOHN Kear says Batley Bulldogs' shock 28-12 defeat at Oldham two days ago was a lesson learned.
John KearJohn Kear
John Kear

It was only Batley’s second loss in the Kingstone Press Championship and Oldham’s second win.

Bulldogs remain second in the table, but Kear warned they will need to improve to hang on to a place in the all-important top four. And he said: “It’s a lesson for the players,

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“I thought Oldham had a bigger point to prove after a disappointing Easter.

“We had a good one and we rested on our laurels.

“We have got to turn up with the same enthusiasm and same work ethic week in and week out and execute our skills.

“We played in a stuttering manner with the ball, because we weren’t working hard enough off the ball to present shapes and opportunities for the ball players to play.”

Bulldogs will be without prop Alex Rowe for up to six weeks after he underwent surgery yesterday to repair a compound fracture of a thumb.

Kear said: “We are struggling a bit.

“We seem to be picking one [injury] up a week.

“They aren’t dead-legs or sprained ankles, they are six-week injuries.

“But the good news is we should have Danny Cowling and Shaun Squires back this week.”