Batley v Midlands preview: Bulldogs aim to stop three-game losing streak in scrap with play-off rivals Hurricanes as young outside-back departs

The Bulldogs sit ninth in the Championship table, just one place and a solitary point behind the Hurricanes, with both sides aiming to finish in the top ten to secure a play-off spot come the end of the season.

Batley’s hopes of making the eliminators have been set back in recent weeks thanks to a run of three successive defeats, although most teams in the division would have envied the sequence of fixtures James Ford’s men had to endure.

They were firstly beaten by in-form Oldham Roughyeds at Dewsbury’s FLAIR Stadium before unbeaten league leaders London Broncos ran in 11 tries in a convincing 64-12 victory at Mount Pleasant.

Third placed Oldham then visited Batley to record a 13th consecutive Championship triumph to keep within four points of the Broncos at the top.

But the Bulldogs will have taken heart from last Friday’s loss having only been beaten by one full score, 20-14.

Batley and the Hurricanes met in the Midlands in February, with the home clinching a 30-12 victory. Josh Woods and Dane Manning were the try scorers for Batley.

The Hurricanes managed to halt a five-game losing streak at home to Goole Vikings last time out, 38-22, to come to the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium in good spirits.

The Bulldogs confirmed the “immediate departure” of young outside-back Wesley Bruines this week on social media, as the club thanked his efforts and wished him the “absolute best” in his next chapter.

Head coach Ford said: “It is a shame it did not work out with Wes at Batley. We all know he has a lot of ability, but sadly, it just was not the right fit.

“I wish him all the very best with whatever he does next.”