ben fisher signed for batley.

My initial reaction when i read this was that he would of been a good signing for us. To be honest he would be a good signing for any team in our league.
But would he fit into our current squad? Did a good job first time round but that was 6 years ago, lots changes. Interesting to see him team up with Black again. Wonder if Royston will make his way to Mount Pleasant in the next few years.

Anyway, is this confirmed??

Great stuff. Well done Batley, Swinton and Keighley for putting together some cracking squads. Featherstone, Halifax and Leigh - that's six clubs with quality squads in my opinion. It"s gotta be a cracking season has it not?

Great signing for Batley this what a tough league its now turning out to be. Could Ben fisher steal Penkys crown as best Hooker outside Super League?

It is going to be brilliant.
I am more excited than for a long time and that's saying something.
Perhaps we won't have the quality of Super League but I bet a lot more of the games in our League are more exciting.
Roll on Boxing Day.

confirmed.

Yeah, cheers, seen it on their site now.
Fair play to them.

Hopefully Sheffield have built on last season as well.

Why?

To help make this league as strong as it possibly can be.

I agree,

Good

i thought the same as soon as heard he signed for them, great signing for batley.

So who do people think as the best squad in the Championship?

This is what Skybet thinks (Keighley and Swinton really good bets if they have that good a squad!)...

Featherstone 5/6
Halifax 3/1
Leigh 6/1
Batley 8/1
Sheffield 14/1
Dewsbury 16/1
Keighley 25/1
Swinton 33/1
Hunslet 40/1
York 40/1

I would say that Leigh are too short at 6s we have a decent 15 or 16 but with injuries we will struggle and are Fev that strong? I think not. Swinton very much dark horses

Halifax a steal IMO.

What have Dewsbury done to be 16-1? Have they signed Lockyer?





Batley a good E/W bet.

Top 6 will do me for Leigh.

IMO, I think thats a given; as brilliant as penky is, Fisher is something special as we saw with our own eyes. Coming back from SL will make him even better. Just my opinion... Batley are putting together a team worthy of respect.

Hunslet, York and Dewsbury may struggle but most of the others should provide some good clashes without having to travel too far, hopefully that'll mean a boost for most gates.

What makes you come to that conclusion? I'm not saying you're wrong - but just interested to see how you arrive at your conclusion?

I don't think Fev are as strong as last year. Thing is Fev were so far ahead of everyone they still the team to beat. Freer and Lockwood are particularly poor signings, yet Ropati and in particular Grimshaw are 2 quality signings.

Think the consistency over the last two seasons and defending champions has put us at the price we are

I dont think theres any real value backing us unless you put a lot of money on

Very good signing but I would rather have Penky anyday and believe he is the best player outside of SL.

I also feel Fev are a bit weaker this year. Losing Tonks, Divorty and Powell will hurt them. Freer and Lockwood are average from what I have seen and not as good as players that have left. Grimshaw is a quality player however but Fev are hardly short at 6,7 and 9 so could be stuck on the bench. Still Fev are my slight favourites

Fev are the favourites, but may, as we found out find it tough at the start of the season as Been the Champions puts a big target on your chest, every team you play raises their game

did you not see ropati for widnes last season? he was dreadfull worst defender i have seen in a long time he must of bin at fault for atleast 20 tries all season teams will spot him up big time smeaton is a far better right centre,fev will still be strong but looking at the fax squad they are going to be very tough up the middle this year and plenty of try scorers out wide