Rams face an anxious wait over HW derby

The fiasco over the covers, owned by the Rugby Football League (RFL), which Batley had arranged to use to protect the Mount Pleasant pitch only to be let down, has left the ground open to the elements, leaving both clubs desperately hoping for a thaw.

Batley had been given permission to borrow the covers by the league on November 16 but when they turned up at Featherstone, where they are stored, to transport them over, Rovers claimed no-one at the RFL had informed them of the arrangement and the covers were protecting their own pitch for Sunday’s game against Hunslet.

This has left Batley fuming and considering compensation for what they regard as a £30,000 fixture, with both clubs sharing receipts, and the Mount Pleasant pitch was frozen hard this week.

Dewsbury chairman Mark Sawyer supported the Bulldogs and said: “The money from this game keeps both clubs going for a month. It will be a massive blow if it is called off.

“It’s very annoying the way things have worked out, it is the worst that could have happened and we badly need a thaw if there is to be a chance of playing.

“If Sunday is out of the question, we shall have to try another day. Perhaps we could try over the new year period but it certainly won’t be as productive as Boxing Day, which is very popular, and a change of date will almost certainly affect the attendance.”

Rams’ coach Warren Jowitt is, however, unhappy at the prospect of a new date. He said: “I am fully aware that both clubs need the game to be on but you have also to think about the players.

“The lads will be looking after themselves at Christmas, expecting to play the day after, it’s a bit much if they have to do the same at new year. After all they are part-timers and already give up a great deal of time training three or four days a week.

“In any case, we have already arranged some friendly fixtures in January and I don’t want to be playing week after week at this time of the year and running the risk of injury.

“The league season is our priority, we started last season without players who were injured and paid a price, we don’t want to take that risk again.

“We have trained hard and have a good squad, I don’t want them to be disrupted for something which is not of our making.”

The Rams have so many players keen to make their debuts on Boxing Day, or in Michael Wainwright’s case, a return appearance.

Rob Roberts pointed out that this was the first time in four years he has had a proper pre-season and could make a big impact along with another of the sizeable recruits in Kyle Bibb.

Scott Glassells will be particularly anxious to test his match fitness after some unfortunate injuries and there will be eyes too on the likes of Johnny Horton and local lad Jake Shaw, who are highly rated.

The weather failed to affect the club’s Christmas party which duly went with a swing last Saturday.

Jowitt modestly picked himself as the star of the fancy dress show, following his success at the club’s karaoke some time ago. However, Nicky Saxton apparently also showed up well, the coach remarked: “He came as himself - The Idiot Abroad.”