Not a happy hunting ground.

Only 18 players named. Presume waiting for Tongas visa. We need it looking at state of backs.

Aston, Bentley, Campbell, Chamberlain, Chapelhow, Davies, Hallas, Keyes, Kirk, Macani, Magrin, Mendeika, Moore, Oledzki, Roche, Sironen, C. Smith, Thomas

backs is tough. probably have to use campbell and chamberlain on wings with bentley and mendieka in leaving thomas at FB. If tonga is available would allow bentley to move back into 2nd row or mendieka to got wing and campbell to drop back to FB.Nice to have more options in forwards for a change. probably chapelhow and macani to miss out if tonga available.

If Tonga doesn't play, it's more likely Chamberlain would be at centre surely? Has played there before and played there at Rochdale for us. Then Macani & Campbell on the wings and Mendeika in the other centre spot. Better option than playing a back rower out of position there.

know what you're saying but dont see much point playing macani. until he backs himself its a waste passing ball to him. with him out of equation campbell and chamberlain are only options for wing.

Agreed Macani is a waste of time. I'm just usually against playing players out of position unless absolutely necessary. Personally I'd have picked Josh Rickett out wide instead of Macani to give him a go. Can't be any worse. But I believe Rickett played for the 19s last night.

Assuming he came through unscathed, as I think he's the only first team squad member not to have pulled on a shirt so far, I bet he'd do a shift in the first team, if it were offered...and we're talking out wide not prop. At the end of the day, we're just playing out the season, what is there to lose?

Aston, Bentley, Campbell, Chamberlain, Chapelhow, Davies, Hallas, Keyes, Kirk, Macani, Magrin, Mendeika, Moore, Oledzki, Roche, Sironen, C. Smith, Thomas

With that 18 man squad I'd personally go with:

14. Oscar Thomas
19. Johnny Campbell
3. James Mendeika
20. James Bentley
40. Ed Chamberlain
41. Cory Aston
7. Joe Keyes
8. Liam Kirk
34. Scott Moore
15. Jon Magrin
11. Colton Roche
37. Cameron Smith
29. Sam Hallas

10. Damian Sironen
31. Mikolaj Oledzki
36. James Davies
37. Ted Chapelhow

However if Tonga gets clearence I'd go with:

Campbell
Macani
Tonga
Bentley
Chamberlain

I know Macani can be a liability but with experience like Tonga inside him it might help his game. Plus if he gets space he can motor but his inclusion would just be the by product of having more safety at the back in Campbell. I just think that Thomas isn't safe at the back and has cost us a few points.

I don't have any problems with Oscar, sure he's not perfect but anyone 'perfect' certainly wouldn't be signing for us anyway. Yes, he makes a few mistakes but so do many others who strangely don't get the flak, he is our best goal kicker though, by some distance, much as I admit 'best of a poor lot' isn't exactly a glowing reference.

Oscar is a confidence player. If all is going well then he usually is ok. But if only takes him to be beaten by an attacking player and his head goes down. He needs to focused all the time

Team for today:

14. Oscar Thomas
5. Iliess Macani
3. James Mendeika
40. Ed Chamberlain
19. Johnny Campbell
41. Cory Aston
7. Joe Keyes
8. Liam Kirk
34. Scott Moore
15. Jon Magrin
20. James Bentley
37. Cameron Smith
10. Damian Sironen

29. Sam Hallas
11. Colton Roche
31. Mikolaj Oledzki
38. Ted Chapelhow

Flowing move from Batley sees the pass go to ground. Joe Keyes first to react and picks up and goes the length to score near the sticks. 4-0 Bradford.

Try: JOE KEYES
Miss Goal: OSCAR THOMAS 0/1

Batley try. Missed conversion. 4-4.

Sironen causing problems with his offloading game by the sounds of it but the rest of the team don't pay attention to it.

Penalties killing us. Have money on us not scoring a try goinh up hill

oh dear: kicked and touched by Bentley

James Bentley kicks from 20m out. Ball bounces. Looks like it's going dead and someone pats it back and Bentley scores. 10-4 Bradford.

Try: JAMES BENTLEY
Goal: OSCAR THOMAS 1/2

Bulls Twitter suggesting that it was Chamberlain who scored.

Poor last tackle play from Thomas gives Batley possession. Through penalties they find themselves in the Bradford 20m. Right to left play sees Batley score. Conversion good.

Bradford (10)
Batley (10)

Batley score through Scott. Conversion good.

Bradford (10)
Batley (16)

Bradford get the ball back. Campbell makes a fantastic break, beats the centre and passes to the supporting Macani who scores. 16-16

Try: ILIESS MACANI
Goal: OSCAR THOMAS 2/3

Ainscough breaks and easily beats Thomas, passes to Scott who scores. Conversion good.

Bradford (16)
Batley (22)

And Brambani slots a drop goal to make sure Batley get over the line.

FINAL SCORE

Batley Bulldogs 23 - 16 Bradford Bulls

Lost again then. Roll on the end of this joke of a season.

I'm surprised you've kept going as long as you have Mark to be honest.

I'd forgotten about the game to be honest. Sounds like another shocker.