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A couple of wagers to start the weekend and perhaps more to follow as none of the layers have shown their hand with the National League fixtures and only one bookie up with Super League. I could have waited for more layers for Super League and hoped for a better handicap but if you see a bet you like my philosophy is to take it. I can always top up if other layers go better.

Batley -4 v Doncaster 3pts@1.91 with Bet365 or Stan James

First bet is in the Northern Rail cup semi final. It's Division 1 versus Division 2 with home advantage to the former. There isn't a great deal between these teams in ability although I think Batley edge it on that score. Batley are one of the unsung teams of Division 1. Every season they seem to be favourites to go down and every season they exceed expectations. Despite being in different divisions there is very much a form line between these teams. Batley have already beaten both Barrow and Oldham in this competition and I can't rate Doncaster above those two. Indeed Doncaster went to Barrow last weekend and, despite a competitive performance, didn't really look like winning. Doncaster has also decided not to cancel their Sunday fixture with table toppers Gateshead as they are facing a fixture backlog. Priority for them will surely be promotion and they can't afford to slip up in that fixture. Home advantage, desire, higher division status and previous match ups against similar opposition all lead me to think the handicap should have been in the 8-10pt range.

Huddersfield +10 v Wakefield 3pts@1.91 with Bet365

I was surprised to see the start so high for this one. OK, Huddersfield are having a poor season, so much so that coach Jon Sharp was shown the door after the Catalans debacle, but there is very little to choose between virtually all the Super League teams who lie in the mid-division. There's certainly plenty of talent in the Huddersfield ranks. Wakefield have performed admirably with their long injury list but coach Kear has already hinted which game he wants to peak in and that's the Challenge Cup Semi Final. Perhaps this game will be a more low key affair for them in terms of motivation. Huddersfield on the other hand will be motivated by a new face in the dressing room and Warrington proved last week how that can inspire. Add in the fact that in previous seasons Huddersfield has been something of a bogey side for Wakefield and I just couldn't make a case for the handicap being so high. I had Wakey in the 4-6pt region.

the man