7th February 2011
Rugby Leaguer & League Express
www.totalrl.com BULLDOGS KEEN ON CAMPBELL RETURN
BATLEY Bulldogs coach Karl Harrison says that he hopes fullback or
Campbell re-signs for the club, after he escaped a prison sentence last week. Campbell (right) admitted assaulting a man, Brett Garside, in a pub in Dewsbury in November 2009, in an incident that left the victim with a serious brain injury. As a result of the attack Mr Garside, an ex-soldier who served in Kosovo, had to have part of his skull removed to allow his brain to swell, which was later replaced with a titanium plate. He now requires assistance from a carer five times a week.
winger Johnny
At Leeds Crown Court last Monday, Campbell was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, a 12- month supervision order and 100 hours community service.
He was also ordered to pay £2,400 to Mr Garside over a 24-month period. Mr Garside and Campbell were both
out in Dewsbury in the lead-up to the attack, and had been involved in an
argument inside a pub.
After leaving the pub Mr Garside was walking home when he was again confronted by Campbell, who punched him once, causing him to hit his head on the floor and leaving him unconscious. Campbell claimed that he has been the subject of a racial comment, but he admitted grievous bodily harm. He is now free to return to professional Rugby League, and has been training with the Bulldogs in recent weeks. “Johnny will hopefully sign a contract with us,” Harrison told League Express. “The kid is still very, very upset about the whole situation, and knows that he made a mistake. “It’s been dealt with now, and as far as I’m concerned the matter is over. “Johnny needs to get his head back on being a good role model, and a player for Batley Bulldogs. “He’s had a big wake-up call, and knows that he can’t go around doing what he wants.
“But I think he will become a better person because of it.”
CAS DUO JOIN KNIGHTS
YORK City Knights brought in highly rated Castleford youngsters Nathan Massey and John Davies on the eve of the Northern Rail Cup. Massey, who has had a previous stint with the Knights in 2008, has signed on a dual-registration, while Davies in on a season-long loan. “It’s a big boost, especially with a few niggling injuries in the forwards,” Knights' coach Dave Woods said. “Both these blokes have been in a professional environment
time, and will go well for us. “Massey is a big fella who takes
for a long
LEIGH Centurions have completed the signing of Welsh international prop David Mills, after he impressed on trial at the club.
some stopping, and John Davies is a good, tough athlete who can play in the back row and at hooker.” Woods has joined his assistant coach
Chris Thorman in stating that he would like to remain at the Knights in the long-term, after being impressed with the club’s set-up.
“I was speaking to Chris, and we both said how much we are enjoying it and would like to stay,” Woods confirmed. The Knights coach expects to offer a permanent contract to triallist prop Adam Howard this week, after he impressed in the friendly with Leeds Rhinos last week.
Mills completes Centurions switch
Millward said. “I've been very happy with his three trial games, and we have agreed a one year contract.
Mills figured in the three Centurions' friendlies against Salford, Warrington and Harlequins, and did enough to convince coach Ian Millward to offer him a permanent deal.
“His attitude to playing for the Centurions is positive, and his work in training is first class.”
Mills, 29, has over 150 Super League games under his belt after playing for Widnes
“Dave's Super League experience will prove to be very valuable in the forthcoming Northern Rail Cup and Co- operative Championship season,”
HUNSLET Hawks player coach Paul March has been granted a three- month testimonial by the Rugby Football League. March has been given the honour after playing over 300 first-team matches and for his good character.
“I’m now in the process of putting a committee together, and will hopefully announce the dates of some events soon,” March said, The player-coach was set to take his place in the side
Sunday, after recovering from a slight back strain.
to play Oldham on
BARROW Raiders have released New Zealand threequarter Andreas Bauer. The former Hull KR and Doncaster player had been training with the squad, and taking part in pre-season matches to try and earn a permanent deal. But Raiders' Chairman Des Johnston
said:
“Andreas will not be offered a contract for this season. “We thank him for his services to the club in the past, and wish him well for the future.”
Harlequins. He has signed a 12-month contract at the Centurions, and was in the squad for Sunday’s visit to Batley Bulldogs.
Vikings, Hull KR and CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP
night’s opener with Doncaster due to injury.
FEATHERSTONE Rovers coach Daryl Powell hopes to have dual- registration hooker James Davey back in contention for the trip to York City Knights this week. Wakefield player Davey sat out Friday
He pulled his hamstring on his Rovers debut against Leeds Rhinos, but could be available again this week. Forward Iain Morrison made his long- awaited return from injury off the bench against the Dons on Friday.
Makali Aizue (knee), Neil Cherryholme (groin) and Michael Ostick (knee) all missed Friday night’s game at Swinton Lions.
squad later than others. linking up with the
HALIFAX coach Matt Calland will check on his three injured props this week, ahead of the clash with Oldham.
Centres Dylan Nash and Mike Ratu were also missing, as they continue their fitness work after
Young Viking set for Broncos
WIDNES Vikings director of rugby Paul Cullen hopes that more of the club’s talented young players will join prop Anthony Mullally in having stints in Australia.
season.
“Anthony Mullally will be something of a pilot project to see how it works, and he has
himself as the right person in the right place at the right time.
found
Mullally is now Down Under to spend a season playing for the Brisbane Broncos under-20s team in the Toyota Cup, under the leadership of head-coach Matthew Wood. The move came about following
Cullen’s fact-finding trip to Australia last year, and his friendship with Broncos' legend and former Warrington Wolves player Allan Langer.
And Cullen is hopeful that the visionary move can be repeated in future.
“The one question that everyone was asking while I was in Australia was ‘how are you going to catch up’,” Cullen said.
“They wanted a young prop forward, and we happened to have someone who is big enough, fit enough and fast enough to physically handle what is the elite junior competition in the world. “Already we have
players in our scholarship and Academy, and said that if they aim up, an opportunity might come their way.
spoken to
thing at Widnes Vikings.” Meanwhile the Vikings stopped off and trained at Saracens RUFC at the weekend as part of their Northern Rail Cup visit to London Skolars. The move came about through
“We intend to make it a regular
“There was a piece at the time by Phil Gould saying that we should send our 30 best kids down there, and, while that probably isn’t feasible, what we decided to do was send maybe one or two of ours every
But Aussie halfback Ben Black recovered from his shoulder injury sufficiently to take his place in the side.
in Toulouse, after damaging his medial ligament in the warm-up to a pre-season friendly with Batley. “He’s back in training now, and if he is
ready for Keighley then that will be a bonus,” Jowitt said.
100 percent right, because he’s my starting hooker and we need him ready for the league season.
without three keys players at present. Tim Wynn and Constant Villegas are still on the sidelines after undergoing knee reconstructions.
TOULOUSE Olympique remain
Both are expected to be back in contention by early March. But prolific fullback Rory Bromley could miss another three months, as he recovers from surgery on a damaged Achilles tendon.
DEWSBURY Rams hooker Luke Blake may be fit to face Keighley Cougars this weekend, but coach Warren Jowitt says he won’t rush him. Blake didn’t figure in Saturday’s game
former Wigan teammates Denis Betts and Terry O’Connor at the Vikings, and Saracens coaching staff member Andy Farrell.
McDonald set for Eagles chance
SHEFFIELD Eagles’ Australian utility Dane McDonald looks set to be given the call at halfback as the club waits for the arrival new signing Quentin Laulu- Togagae.
It will be nothing new for the versatile 23-year-old Australian, who did a similar job at the start of last season.
McDonald is seen primarily as a loose forward, and had been given the 13 squad number, but last season he played at halfback in the group stages of the Northern Rail Cup. “Dane’s looking sharp,” coach Mark Aston said. “He’s a big lad, and his best position may be loose forward, but he can play ball and has a good turn of speed, and showed last season he can operate at halfback.”
Meanwhile the Eagles have joined forces with the Rugby Football League to show their support for a campaign against homophobia. The Eagles are dedicating their
home game against Widnes Vikings at Bramall Lane, Sheffield on Sunday March 13 to the RFL’s ‘Homophobia: Tackle It!’ campaign.
The Eagles will show their support by wearing a specially commissioned one-off playing shirt, which will be sponsored by LGBT History Month and Pride Sports, and will come emblazoned with the ‘Homophobia: Tackle It!’ slogan.
The Eagles are the first professional club in mainstream UK sport to display such a high level of support for the anti-homophobia campaign.
“The Eagles have always been a progressive club, and we believe it’s a cause worth supporting,” Aston said.
9
“But I won’t push him, and want him
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