Batley Bulldogs’ head coach James Ford has admitted this weekend’s bye round has “fallen quite nicely”

Liam Kirk, Jonah Parsons, Lucas Walshaw, Robbie Butterworth, Josh Woods and Nyle Flynn are just some of the players who could have been a doubt if the Bulldogs had a game.

Ford, speaking after Batley lost 34-30 at home to Midlands Hurricanes, revealed to the Reporter Series:

“Looking at the injury report, it is definitely time for a week off as we have picked up a number of bumps and bruises. It has fallen quite nicely for us.

“Kirky has suffered a second concussion this year so he will have to see a specialist. Jonah Parsons has a large amount of swelling on his hand so he is having an x-ray.

“Lucas Walshaw has got a couple of injuries to his hand and wrist but I am hopeful he will be able to get through it as he’s a big fella and experienced. I am hoping he will bite down on his gum shield and get through it for us.

“Robbie Butterworth has got a tight hamstring but we needed him to stay out there (against Midlands) because he is playing so well and he almost came up with some match-winning plays for us at the end. I am hoping that settles down.

“Woodsy was also a doubt going into that game and Flynny pulled out in the warm-up with a shoulder injury. These are not an excuse. I knew what cards I had to play. Every team gets injuries.”

The weekend also gives Ford the chance to “get over” his disappointment of last Sunday’s defeat - a game the Bulldogs could easily have won.

“I was very disappointed not to win the game,” Ford rued. “There are a few reasons. When we are coming down the hill in the second half, and we are in front, we gave far too many preventable penalties away and let Midlands out of those bottom corners far too easily. That was disappointing from my perspective because it should be something we do really well because we play on this pitch far more than anybody else.

“We compounded that with four or five really naive moments. I can’t accept it but I almost expect it, and I am certainly not blaming my young players because they are on a journey and I am excited about them. We have got some really talented young players and their performance as a young person is going to fluctuate from week to week - and minute to minute even - because they haven’t seen the same amount of rugby as some of the older players, that’s just a given.”

He went on: “I want them in the team but on the day we came up with some moments which showed a lack of experience here and there. There were some really soft defensive moments if I’m honest. There is no excuse for one of their middles running over one of my forwards on the goalline. Just do your job, tackle them.

“Every young player in any sport is going to come up with something here and there. I am trying to do my job to educate and coach them and provide an environment where they get better, and they will do, and the experienced lads at the side of them need to front up and defend.

“To put the nail in the coffin, we scored 30 points at home and that should be enough to win the game. Even in the last ten minutes we bombed three or four clear cut chances.

“This week off will allow me to get over my frustrations a little bit. I was disappointed but I know we are on the right path and I am confident that there are some positive times for us around the corner.”

Take a look at these photos from Batley’s game with Midlands Hurricanes courtesy of Gerard Binks.