The Cooperative Championship

By The Man

Batley v Halifax



11th March 19:30 GMT
Sky Sports 3 (19:30-22:00), Sky Sports HD3 (19:30-22:00)

We have the second televised offering of the season from the Championship and for me it has very much the same feel as the first. In that one Leigh were underdogs to Champions Barrow and I expected them to be in the battle. For this one, Batley are at home to runners-up Halifax and again I expect a close encounter to result.

Batley have had a decent Northern Rail cup campaign drawing at home to Widnes and beating Whitehaven up at the Rec' though their league campaign faltered when Featherstone put them to the sword. They will be without big John Simpson who chipped a bone in his ankle warming up at the weekend and fellow prop Anthony Henderson also misses out with a shoulder problem. Batley improved no end in the latter stages of last year's campaign and coach Harrison read the riot act after defeat at Featherstone so I expect them to be focused and competitive for this one. Last season they defeated Halifax in the proverbial game of two halves. Batley got themselves a massive half time lead before Halifax rallied to level only for Batley to snatch it again with a late try in the 32-28 victory.

Halifax also have selection problems but it is a case of who to leave out. They have assembled a very strong squad and there is no doubt they are one of the competition's favourites. They have opened the league campaign with a revenge victory over Sheffield who had beaten them in the cup. Their only other game against Championship opposition resulted in a comfortable victory over Dewsbury.

These fixtures have tended to be high scoring and with the grounds firming up I hold the view that this will be repeated but the spread quotes of 51-54 don't give much away. I think I'll try to get even money matched on over 50.5pts on the exchanges.

Halifax probably have the stronger side and are capable of cutting loose but Batley are no mugs and it wouldn't surprise me too much if they won this fixture. I had Halifax as 4-6pts favourites, which is slightly lower, then the general 6-8pts on offer and I'm going to allow myself a very small account bet taking the 8pts start though my main trading will be on the exchanges. I reckon I can get Halifax -6.5pts layed at 1.91 and Halifax match odds at 1.44.
 
Pick: Batley +8 1pt @ 1.91 Bet365 & Boylesports
 
The Man