KNIGHTS COMEBACK DENTS SHARKS STORMING START

SHAW CROSS SHARKS 16 V NORMANTON KNIGHTS 22
NATIONAL CONFERENCE RUGBY LEAGUE 1 @ SHARK PARK-LEEDS RD
JUNE 27 2015---2.30PM

SHARK PARK, RUGBY LEAGUE WITH A VIEW

[The We All Stand Together Facebook page has a few more pictures from todays game]
A storming start from Sharks saw them take an early 10-0 lead before Knights second half come back secured the visitors a narrow victory margin.  The home side certainly questioned some of the officials decision and in the end it was Normanton who secured the winning try 5 minutes from time.
So the rugby in a little while but first as usual a bit about the day.  Last week the blog saw Shaw Cross at Salford City Roosters and got into some friendly conversation during this game with the Sharks supporters and when the fixture list for next week declared an interesting local derby against Normanton nights it went ot the top of the 'to do list'.  Indeed last weeks game for Normanton had seen them beat league leaders Ince Rose Bridge so a good game would be in prospect.
A couple of weeks back the blog went for a first visit to Dewsbury Moor Maroons and on the following day took in Batley's game versus Leigh Centurions at Mount Pleasant.  I never realised how closely linked Dewsbury, Batley, Ossett and Wakefield were and in this rugby league area it makes for easy public transport travelling for the 'hopper'.

DEWSBURY RAMS TETLEY PARK

As usual a one hour journey from base brought me to the delights of Wakefield Kirkgate station and onwards to the bus station for the 268a to Dewsbury.  There was a little time for a walk around the town centre and as this was covered a couple of weeks ago I wont re visit it in this blog.  It was not long before the 202 was taking the strain out of Dewsbury up the incline of Leeds Rd passing close by Dewsbury Rugby League Club's old Crown Flatts ground and on to the crossroads were a departure from the Leeds destined service leaves us with a small walk to have a look at the relatively new base for Dewsbury Rams Rugby League Club.  The Tetley Stadium is just a short walk from Shaw Cross and their base so how could the blog not visit a new sports ground.  Although there was not much happening apart from a motorcycle training course the ground looked smart and was quite impressive with a modern stand with executive boxes to the rear, opposite this is a cracking steep terrace, looks like one to put on the future to do list.

SHARKS CLUB HOUSE

A reversal of journey to our original destination of course Shaw Cross Sharks Rugby League Club just off Leeds Rd the club has a fine and impressive two storey building with bar, dance floor and separate private function room in the top floor and the changing rooms on the first floor.  Upon arrival just after 1pm the bar area and function room was jam packed following the juniors games and it always amazes me the tremendous work that goes on around rugby league clubs for a wide variety of age groups.  There was even presentations and speeches at the end for all the lads who were smartly turned out in their Siddall and Shaw Cross leisure wear. 
As ever the bar area is awash with rugby league memorabilia including the story of Shaw Cross and their formation in the 1940's and a superb picture of the 47/48 side.
Last weeks pleasantries from the Shaw Cross officials and supporters certainly helped me in making the decision to visit their home the superbly named Shark Park and today upon arrival I was again warmly greeted by one of my conversationalists from the Salford game.  The club is situated away from the pitch which is probably around 1/4 of a mile away down Leeds Road.  Shark Park is a public area that is unfortunately not an enclosed ground, more to support this comment later.

SHARK PARK AN OVERVIEW DURING THE FIRST HALF

As usual the blog likes to gain the team and thanks to the Normanton match day official/secretary he supplied me with this after re writing the feint photocopy, thanks!
The pitch can be accessed by a gate to the rear of Shaw Cross Infant School but the blog chose to stroll down the main road which runs parallel to the ground and pop over the road to the Londis service station for a little confectionery. 
The park area has three pitches, two with short cut height posts and the main pitch which is nearest the road side is well kept and railed around all four sides with as is appearing normally in rugby league the dug outs on opposite sides.  The pitch is not floodlight and has no scoreboard although it is grass standing all the way around there is a steadily slopping grass bank to the road side offering a commanding view of the game and onwards towards Batley on this hot afternoon.
During the pre match I caught up with a few more people who stopped by for a chat and I have to say there was a welcoming and friendly feel again to this club its players and supporters.

SECURE VANTAGE POINT FOR THE SHARKS VIDEO

As mentioned earlier its a shame the ground is not enclosed because it stops the club from taking an admission which normally at £2.50 to £3 does not break the bank for most supporters and often encourages them to pop into the clubhouse for a courteous drink too.  Today the fine weather brought out around 100 people to watch the game and even encouraged at one stage two ice cream vans to set up roadside for the battle of the 99's.  The clubs excellent programme was doing the rounds at £2 and sad to say a lot of people seemed to not purchase it and do the tapping of pockets 'no money on me dance'.  Further to make up the normal admission is a raffle at £1 a ticket and unbelievably the same dance seemed to be in favour again with some people.  It really amazes me how do people think clubs run and when you have one that is clearly trying its best and providing some quality rugby why they cannot produce a £1 every couple of weeks must frustrate the hard working club officials.
Both clubs were videoing the game today with the trusted Normanton camera in its box on tripod I remember that from a visit to the Knights before the blog this was perched at the top of the grass bank.  While Sharks went for the old style clamber up on top of the home dug out viewing gantry!

STEADY LADS

The game seemed to come around all too quickly and that was probably the way Normanton felt when after 19 minutes they were 10-0 down and they seemed to have struggled to get off the bus with Sharks bossing the game,  Adam Masson went over on 12 minutes and on 19 minutes Aiden Kaye made it 8-0 before Will Poching converted to make it 10-0.  Normanton stormed right back into the game on 24 minutes when Tom Alexander drove over and Adrian Mulchay kicked over to pull the deficit back to just 4 points.
HT 10-6
Within the first 15 minutes of the second half James Evans went over in the left hand corner and Mulchay converted again this time with the help if the post to give the Knights a 12-10 lead.

WILL POCHING GOES OVER FOR SHAW CROSS



AND THEN THE DANCE

Shaw Cross seemed to have weathered the storm and when a grubber kick through from Jordan Anderson and it was Will Poching who pounced first to crash over and with Casey Johnson converting from in front of the posts it was Shaw Cross who were in the lead again 16-12.


AND THE CONVERSION

 

Never write off a Normanton side and indeed they levelled it up at 16-16 on 70 minutes when Evans went over in the right hand corner.  At this point it looked a tight angle from the touchline for the conversion and bearing in mind the last one needed the aid of the post it would be a good effort to take the lead with this one.  The blog was away at the opposite touchline at this time and did think the kick had gone wide but both touch judges signalled for the conversion however when moving back around the touchline everybody was up in arms saying the kick was well wide. 

THERES LITTLE MOVEMENT ALLOWED FOR HERE

This seemed to unsettle the home side and then just 5 minutes from time Knights Connor Wilson went over in the far right corner to secure a 22-16 victory on referee Dean Bowmer's final whistle shortly after.



JONNY KIRK HANGS ON FOR THE KNIGHTS

A tense and interesting game from two of the leagues best sides todays winners were strong and determined after a slow start but Shaw Cross will undoubtedly feel hard done by but their free flowing attacking rugby should allow them to recover from this little setback.
At half time and just before the final whistle their was time to have a little catch up with Sharks PR man Ryan Conway who was busy tweeting and then at the end interviewing a selection of players for the clubs creditable social media outlets.
The return journey to Dewsbury and then Wakefield was all on time allowing the blog a chance to sample a KFC before the 15 minute walk back to Kirkgate for the train back to base.
A beautiful afternoon, weather wise, allowed for a good and enjoyable game which saw both teams provide good entertainment. 
Thanks to Shaw Cross Sharks the blog has enjoyed its little journey with you will be watching your results and hopes to see you again soon in match action.

TEAM TALK AT THE END OF PLAY FOR SHAW CROSS

SORRY DERBYSHIRE CRUSHED BY SURREY IN THREE DAYS

DERBYSHIRE C C C V SURREY C C C
LV COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE 2 @ THE 3 AAA COUNTY GROUND
DAY THREE DERBYSHIRE LOSE BY 222 RUNS

OVER VIEW OF THE 3AAA GROUND

Being a lapsed Derbyshire member I had not witnessed a game at The 3AAA County Ground since the wicket was turned 45 degrees so I must declare a Derbyshire interest in this blog.  Sadly I probably picked one of the clubs poorest days result wise as when Surrey claimed an extra half an hour at the end of the day to take the final 3 Derbyshire wickets to secure this massive victory inside 3 days.  Indeed Elite Performance Director Graeme Welch has described the performance as one of his poorest days in 'the game' and on the way back a long term member I got into conversation with matched Graeme's thoughts saying it was 'the worst he had seen Derbyshire perform'.

NEW RECEPTION ENTRANCE

So a sorry end to an exciting return to county cricket, in prospect.  The blogs first sport as a junior was always cricket and many happy hours were spent at The Queens Park and then in later years The County Ground at Derby.
An early start was made to give an arrival just before 10am and allow the blog to have a good look around at some of the recent improvements to the ground the 'Gateway' building now houses, at last, the players changing rooms and they can walk down a high perched stairway to make a proper approach to the field of play.  Much of this area now houses players, officials and sponsors on the top deck.  The pavilion has now had some sort of return to members although there are also meal options available within for those with the correct pass.  The newish [temporary] FALCONS emblazoned stand offers a tremendous view from it, if you wish to climb to the rear seats an even more panoramic vista. 

WELCOME CARPET IS OUT

Moving around the ground the old scoreboard is taken over by the media and as we come round to just before the original low covered stand we now have a massive electronic scoreboard which can keep you up to date with nearly every fact that this statistic obsessed game you could wish for. 

LOOKING UP THE SCORE

NICK OWEN FORMER GMTV CRICKET AND LUTON TOWN FAN

The old supporters book shop has now taken over half of the snack/café area and although the selection of second hand books is excellent and a good addition to the club but whoever thought of trying to put in the clubs merchandise sales in there didn't do the sales any favours.  Todays there was a small cabinet of just a few DCCC items and nowhere could you look at shirts, caps etc this seemed amiss with something on show I would have purchased.  Coming back around to the pavilion and our original entrance we have a low seated terrace which is part blocked today by the side screens and TV gantry for the twenty/20 coverage.
Overall then great to come back and with a days play in prospect on a nice June day before the start there was a chance to take a quick picture of Nick Owen former GMTV presenter and now Midlands Today presenter and of course Derbyshire cricket fan alongside being a Luton Town fan with the larger white ball sport.

ALEC STEWART [LEFT] SURREY AND DERBYSHIRE'S GRAEME WELCH

The blog was grateful to Nick and then to former England wicketkeeper and now Surrey Director of Cricket Alec Stewart and Graeme Welch, thanks guys.

MARK FOOTITT STEAMS IN

So to the match and with Surrey posting 239 in the first innings and Derbyshire falling just short on 207 the third day started with the visitors on 77 for 2.

Mark Footitt was bowling well for Derbyshire and the morning session was looking well balanced until James Burke with 73 and Gareth Batty put on 83 for the 7th wicket and the total of 315 when Tom Taylor was last out and it was time for tea to be taken with Derbyshire set 348 to win.

Lunch time had seen a tasty effort from Fish @ Tony's just a short walk from the ground and tea featured a morning sandwich purchase and two small [old theatre] type pots of ice cream from local producer Bluebells purchased from the snack bar area at £5, very nice but overpriced.
Some of the game had been spent watching with Surrey supporters in the vicinity and it has to be said there is a clear difference between people from the north of this country and people from the south.

So tea completed by supporters and players we all returned in anticipation fearing that Surrey had 100 runs to many for Derbyshire and what transpired in the following 2 1/2 hours and 39.5 overs was unbelievable poor and painful for home supporters.  Derbyshire were skittled out for 125 with a minor improvement from at one stage 48 for 5.
A harsh day for the club and all involved from players, management and supporters.

MORE SURREY BATTING SKILL

ANDERSON'S HAT TRICK OF TRIES SEES SHAW CROSS DEFEAT THE ROOSTERS

SALFORD CITY ROOSTERS 12 V SHAW CROSS SHARKS 36
NCL LEAGUE 1 @ HALLSWORTH RD 2.30PM 20 JUNE 2015

SALFORD EARLY SECOND HALF CONVERSION PULLS IT BACK TO 6-8

A powerful hat trick of second half tries from Jordan Anderson made the difference tell between these two sides on a overcast and wet Manchester afternoon.  In fairness to Salford they trailed just 8-0 at the break but even though they secured two tries, one right on the whistle, the second half was dominated by a powerful Shaw Cross side.

ARRIVAL IN ECCLES VIA METROLINK TRAM

So as ever a quick look at the day and the start from base was on a very busy Manchester train that got even busier at Sheffield but after a few minor delays over the 'tops' Piccadilly was arrived just behind time.
Having secured a Metrolink tram almost immediately to Eccles the fare of £3 seemed a bargain mind you up until Media City it was a case of 'up close and personal' so maybe not the bargain it may have seemed at first!
It was a first visit to Eccles and this area of Manchester, indeed the only thing that sprang to mind on visiting was the cakes and Ken Barlow's dog of the same name on Coronation St  The town has a nicely positioned church which was doing a good trade with its jumble/craft sale and the small precincts were brisk with people.  There was not too much to keep me in the town so a walk along Liverpool Rd to the ground beckoned and first impressions were as of most city areas lots of small businesses mixed in with lots of run down old buildings.  After a short walk Peel Green was arrived at and a small stop off in the local supermarket for some provisions gave us a little break before the final 10 minutes took the blog through the side streets and Hallsworth Rd. 

THE APPROACH TO THE ROOSTERS HOME

Thankfully I had done a bit of research because there are not too many signs of the club from the end of the street.  As the club house opens up with a small car park to the right is a larger fenced off area with car parking possible and behind this and protected by spiked topped school perimeter type fencing is the main floodlit pitch with 4 poles either side.  Behind the main pitch is a second playing area which is not floodlit, the whole area seems to have a public footpath around it making the ground hard for the club to control, I guess. 

WELCOME FROM THE ROOSTERS

Back to the clubhouse a friendly welcome at the bar were small 7up was selected and the chance to have a little perusal of the memorabilia that is familiar to most rugby clubs adorned the walls.   Roosters PR man Ken kindly provided the blog with a photocopied team sheet along with also telling us of a late change a little later.

HOME TECHNICAL AREA WITH ROOSTERS PR MAN COMPILING HIS MATCH REPORT

Outside the rain was now sharper in drizzle format but a quick circuit of the ground was undertaken and a few pictures taken.  As previously mentioned there is not a lot here on site with a grass surround with one side uncut, the whole area is railed off with the old type concrete posts and metal bars.  There are no dug outs just marked out 'H' and 'A' technical areas on opposite sides of the pitch, very reminiscent of the old Welbeck FC ground in the Central Midland Football League, sadly there is also a lack of some sort of scoreboard.

HALLSWORTH RD GROUND

Although I guess its all about keeping the area as safe as possible and as with many clubs the few people here who are keeping it going are working their socks off to keep amateur rugby league going in the area.  The ground is separated from the busy M60 up the tree lined bank by Worsley Brook.
Salford City Roosters is the name the club seemed to have settled on after, I believe, Eccles ARLFC and Eccles Roosters until 2014.

WARM UPS IN PLACE

Having gone back towards the clubhouse for a few moments dryness it was soon time to return pitch side with the rain still quite sharp.  Entrance fee of £2 paid along with a decent effort of a programme included, its worth pointing out again with a crowd of around 50 here today it does make you wonder what people want when value for money like this is offered in sport as opposed to the professional games prices.
During the first half it was a case of trying to get some steady pictures in the dark conditions but it was also nice to catch up during the afternoon with quite a few of the visiting supporters including full back Sam Ottewell's granddad with whom we had a little chat about Batley and Dewsbury.

OTTEWELL GOES OVER TO MAKE IT 8-0 TO SHAW CROSS

The first half saw Shaw Cross complete 40 minutes 8-0 to the good with two unconverted tries.  Ben Gledhill first and then a quality weaving run by Ottewell as he dummied past a few on the way to going over after 17 minutes.  At this stage you expected Sharks to romp away but with credit to Salford they fought hard and kept the score line the same at the turn round.
Then within a minutes of the re start they pulled it back to 6-8 when Will Rigby went over and Joe Marchant converted.  This seemed to be the signal for the visitors to up their game and within 5 minutes a try from Andrew Fawkes and the conversion opened up a gap again at 6-14.

ANDERSON SECOND HALF TRY

A devastating session of play saw Shaw Cross secure four tries in 17 minutes including a hat trick from Anderson on 58, 64, 74 minutes, the middle one a lovely effort from  turnover from Shark's sheer commitment,  the first and the latter were converted the middle effort of the three was not.  Mixed into that spell of dominance was a further try on 67 minutes with Martyn Holland supplying Will Poching the chance to convert.  As the game drifted away in the last minute Salford proved they had never given up with a try in the last minute from Andrew Muscat and a successful conversion pulled the final score back to 12-36.

A FURTHER ANDERSON TRY

During the second half I had got into further conversation with Shaw Cross Supporters and one gentleman kindly introduced me to their PR man Ryan Conway who it was a pleasure to meet.

RYAN CONWAY PR MAN FOR THE SHARKS DOES A POST MATCH INTERVIEW

Over the last few weeks regular readers will have noted my frustration at some clubs lack of promotion for their upcoming games never mind promoting their club, well it has to be said todays clubs can be excluded from this.  The Roosters were advertising this game from midweek and have since tweeted the final score and along side this Shaw Cross have a good website and a very active twitter feed, well done as a neutral and traveller to different games it is much appreciated and hopefully picks up extra interest from other fans for the clubs concerned.
So at final whistle I made a steady walk to the main road and having witnessed many Arriva number 10's passing me on the way to Manchester on my journey to the ground earlier in the afternoon I decided to forget the return tram ticket and take one of these hybrid electric double deckers back to Shudehill.  From the top deck there was a good view through Weaste and the Salford town centre before departing for a walk across Manchester for the train to return the blog to base.
A steady afternoon with two friendly clubs and hopefully both sides will find some success in the remainder of their season Normanton Knights visit Shaw Cross for a big game next Saturday and in two weeks time Salford have a big game in The Conference League Challenge Cup versus Egremont Rangers.
[There will be a few additional pictures on the 'we all stand together' Facebook page too]

THIS WEEKS TRANSPORT PICTURE IS IN THE MAIN ARTICLE
SO HERE IS SOME MORE MATCH ACTION

CENTURIONS LATE SURGE DENIES THE STURDY BULLDOGS

BATLEY BULLDOGS 12 V LEIGH CENTURIONS 26
KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP @ MOUNT PLEASANT FOX'S STADIUM
14 JUNE 2015---3PM

BATLEY RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB @ MOUNT PLEASANT

'Get yourself to Batley you will love it its a great club' was a suggestion given by quite a few people I had come across while visiting other rugby league clubs and non league football supporters too.  Well with a chance to make a visit for this Sunday encounter against table toppers Leigh Centurions the blog has to say to all those promoters of Batley..........you were spot on.  The history associated with the town and club just wowed me on this dull and rainy stay in both the centre and at the ground.
The game added to the day with Leigh storming to an early 10-0 lead in nine minutes before Batley's sheer determination overhauled the score to lead 12-10 in the second half before Leigh scored three tries in 8 minutes near the end to make the score look far more comfortable than it was.  Added to that a mass brawl a couple of minutes before the hooter saw a couple of players sent off and Gareth Hock sin binned for a second time in the game.
As ever more of the game later but for now a bit about the blog setting off for a second trip to Yorkshire and I wouldn't have guessed that I would have been in Dewsbury twice within 24 hours when a visit before had never registered.  Early start from base station and it was the usual fun on Cross Country service to Leeds which was pretty full and with no seat reservation system working you risked being moved at any time.  Change at the expansive Leeds station for a short trip to Dewsbury station where another change would facilitate a 3 minute trip to Batley.  Well the latter part of the journey did not quite come about thanks to Ben and Joe who had recognised the blog and I had previously met the former at a few non league games.  We  had a good chat and they informed me that they were walking to Batley just a mile up the road after they departed to look round Dewsbury I had a look at a local map and realised the half an hour wait for the train would be put to better use meandering down Bradford Rd into Batley were I would arrive about the same time as the train anyway.

THE FORMER BATLEY VARIETY CLUB NOW THE FRONTIER

The exit from Dewsbury takes you through Batley Carr and with many buildings standing empty its a sad site of a former glory soon to be matched by the impressive buildings of the town of Batley itself.  To anybody from the Yorkshire TV region, admittedly much on the edge and not in Yorkshire for me, this town now re awakened some 70/80's highlights.  First up on the right was the massive Batley Variety Club, now under the name of the Frontier, which housed some massive entertainment names and continues to do so to this day.

NO ITS OK I WOULD RATHER WALK!

As the road approached the centre of Batley there was clearly a theme of entertainment with Legends awash with large modelled stars from Elvis to blonde on American car, sadly many of the establishments around the two mentioned seemed to be closed down.  One of the TV advert highlights of my teens was Mike's Carpets were the blonde haired Mike proudly and enthusiastically promoted his company and now before me was one of his 3 shops, another memory backtrack.  Later on in the town centre I came across the election office of new Labour MP for Batley and Spen Cox and this once again made me remember long term Conservative MP for the constituency Elizabeth Peacock.  There is one more important Batley connection to follow in a few sentences needless to say it takes the biscuit or 'biscwuit'.

APPROACH TO THE TRAIN STATION

With the afternoon just commenced the blog had quite a little time to wander around the town and although there were many signs of a struggling former mill town with empty shops and empty industrial units, but looking around you could only imagine the hustle and bustle of this town in its prime.  One of the most impressive highlights to was me the superb buildings from the town hall, library art gallery, Methodist church and I have to say the approach to the railway station.
The station approach features some unbelievable three to four storey high buildings with cobbled roadway once again the sad fact is that most of them were run down or unoccupied but you could only stand admire and imagine the 'good times'.


VINNIE FROM FOX'S BISCUITS

The town centre as the obligatory T's supermarket right in the centre with a steady main shopping street.  Just on the edge of the town centre is the massive Fox's Biscuits factory of course famous for many products of fantastic quality for the biscuit aficionado.  More so to the companies profile raising has been the introduction of the 'biscwuit' fan panda Vinnie.  The Fox's site covers a massive area from its front through to factory and distribution centre which hopefully will long remain in this town and retain its current as well as historical association.  From the external signage there is it appears a shop for product sales sadly this was a Sunday and the chance to bring home a transporter load of chocolate biscuits was denied to my ever expanding waistline.
So to the approach to Batley's ground steep hill climb with biscuit factory in sight all the way as its pure size continues to astonish.  At the summit Batleys cricket ground is preparing for action on this drizzly rain effected day with the approach down to ground via a narrow road which is already quite busy just short of two hours before the kick off time. 
A handy early arrival had allowed me to see the Leigh Centurions arrive off their coach and get a quick picture of Fui Fui Moi Moi the Tongan star of todays visitors.

SO GOOD THEY NAMED HIM TWICE, FUI FUI MOI MOI

WOOF!

So with an hour and a half to kick off it was time to enter the gloriously named Mount Pleasant with all the evocative emotions that name brings to rugby league and non rugby league fans alike, the ground has now also taken on the sponsors name Fox's Biscuits Stadium. 
I just wonder how Vinnie the Panda and Batley's mascot the bulldog would get on, as Harry Hill would say 'there's only one way to find out.....fight, fight, fight.
To Mount Pleasant and having paid the £17 entrance, well worth it today, a programme for £1.50 and while doing the lap of the ground 3 for 2 50/50 tickets which today paid out a superb £291. 

FROM THE BEHIND POST COVERED TERRACE DOWN THE SLOPE

Of course the most noticeable thing about the ground is the famous slope with the pitch dropping away to the far end and slightly to the right hand corner. To the left of my turnstile entrance is a steep covered terrace with hospitality area to the rear this stand encompasses the changing rooms and club offices.
Going around in a clockwise direction we come to the first corner with a Yorkshire pie snack bar also supplying beers. 

WARM UPS ALL SET OUT READY TO BEGIN

A further seated stand covers half of the touchline and below this a newish flat uncovered  area which replaced the former crumbling terrace, I'm told.  Behind the bottom posts is a car park were entrants pay admission at the same time and enter the ground directly from here.  An uncovered terrace, about 11 steps deep, continues right the way around just short of the half way line on the over touchline.

SUPERB VIEWING OFF THE TERRACING

This area looks good and to a football fan brought up with standing its a treasure that I enjoy most of the game from.  On this touchline we have a further seated stand that straddles the half way line and to the top corner by our initial entrance a further standing terrace area similar in style to the main terracing described earlier.  Behind this touchlines stand is varying catering, hospitality and bar areas including further to the rear large toilet blocks. 

STAND AND TERRACING COMBINED

There is also a nice touch in this concourse area with a memorial garden dedicated to Batley's past supporters the added touch is a nice seat and railed off area to remember the clubs former loyal followers 

REAR OF STAND WITH EATING AND DRINKING CONCOURSE

Finally in the top corner is a club shop which although small is welcoming and has a variety of items for sale named appropriately 'The Doghouse'.  Immediately behind is a wind turbine which today is giving off a slightly worrying squeak as it generates some more power. 

DOGHOUSE WITH ITS OWN POWER SYSTEM

The walk was undertaken for most of the journey with Ben, Joe and their Warrington based mate Rob who were informative about the ground this being a repeat visit for them, we probably have identical pictures!

BEN, ROB AND JOE IN SEARCH OF THE ULTIMATE PICTURE

So to the game and table toppers Leigh with their star studded squad were looking to further enhance their promotion chase with a victory over third bottom Batley Bulldogs, managed by John Kear.
There was a large backing from Leigh in an attendance of 1,125 to somebody not familiar with the ground there looked more but the visitors were making lots of noise by the kick off but the one thing that struck me was the Yorkshire passion from the Batley fans no more so than in the second half when I stood on the side terrace with them.  That passion and encouragement to the cause encompassed the Bulldogs second half performance as fans and team got together to try to halt Leigh's charge.

LEIGH FANS WELCOME THEIR TEAM ONTO THE PITCH

The first ten minutes saw Leigh lead by 10 to 0 with Adam Higson and Liam Kay going over with Martin Ridyard converting the formers try. 

EARLY CONVERSION FOR LEIGH FROM MARTIN RIDYARD

At this stage with the rain driving across the ground things did not look good for Batley and you feared a heavy defeat but they mustered up a brilliant response and just before half time pulled it back to 10-6 with Wayne Reittie intercepting and sprinting half the pitch before Scott Leatherbarrow converted.

WAYNE REITTIE GOES OVER AND BATLEY BULLDOG GOES UP

The second period was a tremendously tough and feisty performance and when Bulldogs took the lead following Alistair Leak going over on 49 minutes and Leatherbarrow's conversion the home side were two too the good.  Batley knew what too expect from a Leigh side who are used to winning and they were defending with gusto and things looked even better when Gareth Hock was sin binned just past the hour mark.  But with 15 minutes to go Leigh devastated Batley's efforts with three tries in 8 minutes Higson for a second and third time with Jake Emmitt in the idle of the trio.  With the last two tries converted Leigh had now took a slightly harsh lead of 26 to 12.

PLAYERS SORT OUT WHO IS HAVING THE LAST FOX'S BISCUIT

In the closing stages there was still time for a mass brawl which following referee Kendall's consultations with his touch judges resulted in Jamie Acton for the visitors and Tom Lillycrop for Batley red carded.  Gareth Hock who had just returned to the fray was sin binned for the second time.  In time added on there was a further bust up following a high tackle on a Bulldogs player this time referee Kendall took no action.

BATLEY MANAGER JOHN KEAR [L] IN PRE MATCH DISCUSSION

This was a tremendous game in very trying handling conditions with the rain driving across the ground except for a half an hour period of the second half in which I took the opportunity to stand with the Batley fans.  Some good humour, feisty comments[!] and overall a tremendous Yorkshie passion for their team who had today pushed champions elect Leigh all the way and all though their undoubted strength and skill won the day.  Both sides received a massive ovation at the end it really was that sort of game a great advert for rugby league.
Quick dash out at the end to Batley station for the short hop to Dewsbury were the train to Leeds arrived within 10 minutes, fellow hopper Rob had left at this stage and Ben and Joe were good company to the big city before we departed on separate ways.  Enough time to learn though of Sam's beloved Atherton Collieries FC having a ore season game on Saturday 4 July versus Bolton Wanderers eleven with programme being issued.  The latter something Sam was delighted to have won programme of the year award for best publication in The North West Counties League, well done.
Departure back to base was reasonably standard on a busy train with many memories of a cracking day out in Batley and with its cracking rugby league club, a definite recommendation!

EARLY CROSS COUNTRY ARRIVAL