Bulls wary of "smokescreen and daggers" ahead of "proper" Good Friday game

AN away derby against the Betfred Championship leaders Halifax sounds like a daunting prospect for Bulls this afternoon. But given his squad is full of big-game players with wise heads on their shoulders like Michael Lawrence, James Donaldson and Matty Gee, visiting head coach Brian Noble has reason to feel confident. Discussing how that experience within his side could come in handy during a red-hot atmosphere at The Shay, Noble said: “ We’ve had decent teams over the last couple of years where we’ve felt we could deal with it too .

“We have to recognise that it’s a tough challenge, because Halifax love playing at home, and I’m led to believe it’ll be a cracking atmosphere, a proper Good Friday game. “Halifax haven’t been beaten in the league and I’ve watched them a few times, they’re a really competent outfit. “As much as it’s always been about what we do, we have to take into account what Halifax have done this season too.



“Both sides would like the best from their players, placing importance on how you look after the ball, how you do the little things right, how you fight for the scraps . “That’s often the difference in these games and I’m sure we’ll both be very ready for this game.” Bulls got plenty right of the little things right in their last West Yorkshire derby, romping to a 48-24 win at Featherstone three weeks ago.

(Image: Tom Pearson) Fax are set to be without Jack Hansen and Ronan Dixon this afternoon though, two players who have been integral to their brilliant start to the season. Asked about how that affects Bulls and their gameplan, Noble said: “We take into account what the opposition do, which is why I’ve watched four of their games with (first-team coach) Lee Greenwood. “They’re a very good team but they started the season with a very small squad, so when they lose one player, it almost looks like they’ve lost two.

“ They’ve probably had less injuries than the other teams up to now, including ourselves , but we still know we have to do what we do well regardless, and if we let Halifax do what they do well, we’re going to be in for a tough afternoon.” Noble added: “These are the vagaries of rugby league too, there are lots of smokescreens and daggers around these big games, where people say things are going to happen, that somebody’s going to be there or not. “The truth of the matter is that there are a few things you have to do in rugby league to win games, which is what we’ll be looking to do.

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