Batley Bulldogs: Long-term injury blow for key man Lillycrop

A SERIOUS injury has cast a cloud over Batley Bulldogs' preparations for the new Betfred Championship season.
Batley's Tom Lillycrop. PIC: Paul ButterfieldBatley's Tom Lillycrop. PIC: Paul Butterfield
Batley's Tom Lillycrop. PIC: Paul Butterfield

Tom Lillycrop suffered a dislocated shoulder after coming off the bench in Bulldogs’ 28-0 win at Keighley Cougars two days ago.

Coach Matt Diskin said: “He is getting a scan this week, but he could be out long-term, which is not great news.

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“He was one of our best players last year before his season got cut short by injury.

Batley Bulldogs coach, Matt Diskin.Batley Bulldogs coach, Matt Diskin.
Batley Bulldogs coach, Matt Diskin.

“He has dislocated the other shoulder to the one he did last year, but he is having a bad run of luck.

“At least if we get it sorted now he will be back towards the back end of the season.”

Lillycrop’s injury took the shine off what Diskin felt was an encouraging performance against League One Keighley.

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“It was terrible conditions so it wasn’t the most flamboyant game, but defensively we were very good,” he said. “They tried to play a bit at the start of the game, but we handled that really well, our edge-defence was good and we dominated them defensively.”

Batley Bulldogs coach, Matt Diskin.Batley Bulldogs coach, Matt Diskin.
Batley Bulldogs coach, Matt Diskin.

Diskin had hoped to see his side impress on attack, but the conditions limited what they could do with ball in hand.

“That’s the next step of improvement,” Diskin said. “Our defence is looking really sharp at the moment, but we want to move our attack on a bit.”

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