Ahead of Sunday’s visit of Batley Bulldogs in Round 15 of the Betfred Championship campaign, we take a closer look at this weekend’s opponents.
FORM GUIDE
Batley travel to the DCBL Stadium on the back of a 42-12 victory over Newcastle Thunder at home last Sunday.
Prior to that game they had endured a tough run of three consecutive defeats, losing 12-32 to Toulouse Olympique, 30-16 to Bradford Bulls, and 12-22 to Halifax Panthers, but had won their last four before that run.
Craig Lingard’s side sit two places (seven points) above the Vikings in 5th, having won 64.29% of their games so far this season.
VIKINGS CONNECTIONS
Batley half-back Tom Gilmore is of course a Widnes-born lad. Having come through the Vikings’ academy system, the 27-year-old played in the Super League for Widnes and represented England Youth during his time at the club as well as scoring at Wembley in the 1895 Cup Final of 2019.
Gilmore left Widnes at the end of the 2019 season to join Halifax Panthers for 2020 before signing for the Bulldogs at the start of this season.
ONES TO WATCH
Full-back Luke Hooley has 74 points so far this season for Sunday’s visitors but suffered a knock prior to last weekend’s game, so will be a danger providing he is able to play.
Gilmore will also be kept a close eye on by some of his former team-mates as the half-back has been putting in some strong performances so far this campaign. He has kicked 12 goals while Hooley has 23.
Vice Captain Alistair Leak is also a danger from hooker if available, with five tries to his name so far.
HEAD TO HEAD
Batley were victorious when the two sides met in Round 3 of this year’s Betfred Championship as the hosts were winners by a scoreline of 48-16. Despite tries from Eribe Doro, Kenny Baker and Owen Buckley, Widnes were unable to bring home the points.
Last time the Bulldogs visited the DCBL Stadium in February last year, Widnes were victorious by 32 points to 12.
The Vikings are unbeaten in their last four home games against Sunday’s opposition.
STREAM INFO
There will be no Our League coverage for this weekend’s home game against Batley Bulldogs in Round 15 of the Betfred Championship, so the only way to watch the match is by coming along to the DCBL Stadium.
The full match will be available to watch on Widnes TV from Monday.
TICKET INFO
General Sale tickets are now available under the new guidelines, with full details available at the below button.
