Batley also signed

Alex Brown(Giants)
Adam Robinson(Rams)

Dual Reg
Elliot Hodgeson(Giants)

Out
John Gallagher(retired)
Mick Govin
Mark Barlow

I think Batley will be a lot stronger this year and will be a top 4 side who can beat anyone on their day.
They have added some size and some aggression to their squad, as well as now having 3 dangerous halves in Handforth, Moore and Mennell,and also george Flanagan coming in after his ban runs out at hooker, probably rotating with Mennell / handforth. Brown and Johnson on both wings will also strengthen and add speed to their backs along with Williams. Johnson is apparently a real hot prospect that will be a starting winger for giants next season. Hodgson from Giants at full back is also a real threat.
I think that Fev will be there or thereabouts again as well as Halifax and probably Widnes and also Sheffield, Barrow and Leigh in the mix for top 6.
It certainly going to be a very tight league next season and I cant see York or Hunslet staying up at all. They may cause the odd upset at home but cant see beyond that really.

Northern Rail Cup ?? comprising of two of the above 6 for certain.

thoughts anyone ?

and in less than three weeks leaves to be player coach of Keighley

Fev out : Briggs to Bulls

have fev lost there two main players now ?.

Hardacre is being loaned (or possibly duel contracted?) with Fev this season and with Leeds quality of backs I imagine they will still see quite a lot of him this season.

Briggs is a huge loss (Championships best player last season IMO) and could be damaging for them.

They still have Kain though who is very good so will be interesting to see how they go this season.

I think this season just got even closer, and it was already too close to call!!

As part of the deal zak will be loaned to fev for the entire season and will play no further part in Leeds srason once the nrc begins.

What would you expect Fev's 1st choice 17 to look like for the upcoming season?

difficult to anticipate given the loss of Briggs but I would think the backs will shape up something like:-

1. Hardacre
2. Saxton
3.Smeaton
4.Welham/Bostock
5.Powell
6.Replacement for Briggsy or Andy Kain
7.Finn

The forwards will remain more or less the same. Out goes field - in comes Dom Dee, Mick Haley and poss Bostock in 2nd row!
Ian Hardman may be the unlucky one here. Zak is being identified as a No1, where he earned his plaudits in the reserves. Gary Hetherington sees him as a No1 too despite playing all of last seasons 1st team games on the wing.

Bump