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ONE PAPER ... ALL THE NEWS from Dewsbury, Batley, Ossett, Mirfield, Liversedge, Birstall, Heckmondwike, Cleckheaton & Spen Valley

Friday January 11, 2019

No. 876

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CALM DOWN Police chief’s plea to potential ‘vigilante’ groups after incidents of violent crime A TOP COP has issued a plea warning people not to take the law into their own hands amid a perceived rise in violent crime.

The appeal for calm comes after a woman was tied up in her cellar by a group of thieves who ransacked her house last week, and a soldier was run over outside a Batley nightclub.

Chief inspector Ben Ryder sent out a statement to Kirklees councillors two days after the incident in which Joshua Adams-Mitchell was knocked down by a blue Mercedes outside the TBC club on Bradford Road in the early hours of New Year’s Day. A 23-year-old Dewsbury man, Hamza Ali Hussain, has been remanded in custody before a trial at Leeds Crown Court after being charged with section 18 wounding.

Recent police intelligence and social media chatter suggested that members of the Muslim community were considering forming groups to

protect their properties.

Councillors have been asked to post in WhatsApp groups and speak to “key community leaders” to calm tensions and reassure people.

Chief Insp Ryder said: “The police have received intelligence of members of the Muslim community considering forming what may be regarded as groups looking to protect their local communities from thieves, but which others may perceive to be vigilante mobs.

“At the present time, with the incident from New Year’s Day where a male was deliberately run over, there is a spotlight on Batley and in particular its Asian communities – a spot-

light that is shone based on a poor understanding of what did happen, and a spotlight that will not reflect well on the town at all if opportunistic images of groups of people behaving in the way described to me are circulated.

“There were two incidents (last week) of a robbery and an attempted burglary in Batley which may appear to be fuelling the speculation, which is disproportionately affecting perceptions of safety in the area.

“At least one of the two offences was targeting the theft of Asian jewellery and we are currently processing CCTV footage and automatic number plate recognition data to identify the four Asian males involved in the offences.

“I have looked at crime for the Batley and Spen constituency area and can inform you that in the last week of the year, serious acquisitive crime such as burglary and vehicle crime was low, with no RYDER

“The police have received intelligence of members of the Muslim community considering forming what may be regarded as groups looking to protect their local communities from thieves, but which others may perceive to be vigilante mobs” – CHIEF INSP BEN

A woman was locked up in the cellar of a home in Deighton Lane, Healey, Batley, by four men who stole jewellery more than three burglaries, vehicle crime or robberies in any of the ward areas other than one, where there was a higher than expected rate of residential burglary and so additional patrols have already been tasked to the affected area in Batley (west).

“It was an unusual surge of burglaries for that area and should not be considered to be the norm and does prompt more police presence.

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“Vigilante activity will hamper police investigations, which reduce the chance of successful prosecutions and will reflect badly on the areas we all work for.

“I have a personal connection to Batley and the offences I have mentioned and the discussion of the community response are not reflective of

Continued on Page 2

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ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

Police appeal to community Continued from Page 1

Deaths BANCROFT DOROTHY On January 5, peacefully at Fieldhead Court Nursing Home after a short illness, of Dewsbury, aged 84, wife of the late Arthur.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday February 6 at 10.30am.

BARLOW NORMAN GLYN On December 31, peacefully at Fieldhead Court Nursing Home, of Batley, formerly of Dewsbury, aged 71, husband of June.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday January 21 at 12.30pm.

BIRKINSHAW ARTHUR CORNELIUS On December 27, of Ossett, aged 56, soulmate and best friend of Donna. For funeral arrangements, contact Eric F Box Funeral Directors on 01924 465402.

BOTTOMLEY BARRY STEPHEN On December 30, at Kirkwood Hospice, master grocer of Lower Hopton, aged 81, husband and soulmate of Barbara. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday January 25 at 11.30am.

BOYLES (NEE HALL) SUSAN MOYRA On December 27, peacefully at home, of Cleckheaton, aged 66, wife of Richard. Funeral service will take place at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland, on Wednesday January 16 at 11.15am.

BROWN (NEE DEMAIN) SONYA

DALY PATRICK LAWRENCE

FREAR JULIA (JULIE)

On December 23, in hospital after a sudden illness, of Heckmondwike, aged 82, husband of Dolly. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday January 15 at 9.30am.

On December 31, in hospital, of Manorcroft Nursing Home, formerly of Roberttown, aged 80, wife of the late Charles. Funeral service will take place at St Peter’s Church, Hartshead, on Wednesday January 30 at 1.45pm.

On December 24, at home after a long illness, aged 70, wife of Gordon. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday January 22 at 9.30am.

On December 20, suddenly at Manorcroft Nursing Home, aged 79, wife of the late Eric. Funeral service will take place at Staincliffe Parish Church on Friday January 18 at 10.30am.

On January 3, at home, of Cleckheaton, aged 69, husband of the late Caroline. Funeral service will take place at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland, on Wednesday January 23 at 1.30pm.

FARRAR HARRY

CLEGG MARGARET

On December 28, at home, of Dewsbury Moor, aged 81, husband of the late Edith. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday January 22 at 10.30am.

On December 19, peacefully, aged 77, wife of the late Leslie. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday January 18 at 10.30am.

FINNEY FRANK

CRAVEN GEOFFREY ALBERT (GEOFF)

On December 25, suddenly at his home in Dewsbury following a long illness, aged 73, partner of Muriel. Funeral service will take place at Pontefract Crematorium on Thursday January 17 at 1.40pm.

On December 30, suddenly in Pinderfields Hospital, of Heckmondwike, aged 76, dad of Justin, Nicola and the late Paul.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday January 16 at 9.30am.

Telephone 01924 472178

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HALLAS MARJORIE On December 28, aged 86, wife of Eric. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Crematorium on Thursday January 24 at 12.30pm.

MULVEY ELAINE On December 26, in Kirkwood Hospice, of Birstall, aged 66, wife of the late Brian. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday January 21 at 10.30am.

MURPHY PETER SEAN On December 25, suddenly at home, of Cleckheaton, aged 63, dad of Rebecca. Funeral service will take place at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland, on Tuesday January 22 at 11.15am.

SAVILLE ROY On December 28, peacefully in Pinderfields Hospital, of Mirfield, aged 82, husband of Doreen.

Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Thursday January 24 at 11.15am.

HOPKINSON (NEE DARLINGTON) PHYLLIS On December 26, peacefully at Fieldhead Court Nursing Home, of Mirfield, aged 82, wife of John.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday January 16 at 10.30am.

STOBBS (NEE SHAW) DOREEN On January 4, peacefully at home, of Earlsheaton, aged 88, wife of the late Jim. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday January 24 at 9.30am.

HOWROYD COLIN On December 31, peacefully at Croft House Care Home, aged 81, husband of Rita. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday January 17 at 10.30am.

WOOD (NEE FOTHERGILL) MARGARET On January 2, in hospital, of Mirfield, aged 90, wife of Brian.

Funeral service will take place at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland, on Wednesday January 23 at 2.15pm.

MARTIN JOHN STUART On January 5, unexpectedly at Bradford Royal Infirmary, of

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On January 3, after a short illness bravely fought in Kirkwood Hospice, of Mirfield, formerly of Batley, aged 61, husband of Gillian.

Funeral service will take place at St Mary of the Angels RC Church, Batley, on Thursday January 17 at 1pm.

Place your family notices by calling 01924 470296

On 1st January 2019, peacefully in hospital, of Dewsbury, aged 85 years, Jean, beloved wife of the late Eric, loving and much loved mum of Ian, very dear mother-in-law of Lynn, dearly loved grandma of Lauren, sister of Elaine and the late Ken and John and a loving aunt and great-aunt.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday 23rd January 2019 at 12.30pm.

Friends please accept this intimation.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu may be placed in the collection box provided or sent to George Brooke Ltd, Funeral Directors, for the benefit of Kirkwood Hospice.

Place your family notices by calling 01924 470296

MCGIRR PETER EAMON JOHN ‘IRISH PETER’

Doreen

Jean

On December 24, aged 83, husband of Barbara. Funeral service will take place at Christ Church, Liversedge, on Tuesday January 15 at 12pm.

On January 2, peacefully at Holme House, of Mirfield, aged 86, husband of Jean. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday January 25 at 9.30am.

On December 23, in hospital, aged 91, Doreen Lorenze, of Knowl Grove, Mirfield, the dearly loved wife of late Lewis Henry, dear mother of Patricia and Philip and the late John and Margaret.

Dear mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother. Service and cremation will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday, January 15th at 10.30am, followed by a buffet at The Peartree, Mirfield. Family flowers only please, Donations in lieu, if desired, to Guide Dogs for the Blind, for which a plate will be available at the crematorium.

All enquiries to Joseph Sheard Funeral Service, Mirfield, Tel; 01924 492219

FOTHERGILL

DACRE EVERETT HARRY

Birkenshaw, aged 74, husband of Jean. Funeral service will take place at Staincliffe Church on Tuesday January 22 at 11am.

GRIFFIN

EARNSHAW (NEE PICKLES) JUNE

CANNON ROBERT (BOB)

HANDFORD NORRIS (NORRI)

xx

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the town at all. As Batley increasingly benefits from the expanding economy focused in Leeds, preserving the town’s reputation as a safe place for people to live, spend and do business is essential.”

One robbery happened when four men forced their way into a woman’s house on Deighton Lane in the Healey area of Batley.

They locked the victim, in her 20s, in the cellar before taking a number of items of jewellery and a watch.

Det Chief Insp Fiona Gaffney said: “We understand that this incident not only caused considerable distress to the immediate victim and her family but has also caused concern in the wider community.

“Neighbourhood patrols have been increased in the Batley area and we are working to identify the people responsible for this crime and ensure they are brought to justice.

“We would always strongly urge residents and members of the public not to take the law into their own hands as they could put themselves or others at risk and could divert police and other emergency services from critical matters.”

Information about the Healey robbery should be relayed to police via 101, quoting crime reference number 13190001081.

Car chase smash A MIRFIELD man was knocked unconscious in a smash with a car that was being chased by police.

Elliot Harris had gone out to get some food on Saturday night when his Vauxhall Insignia was hit by a blue Renault Clio which ‘flew out’ of Steanard Lane in Mirfield and onto Huddersfield Road.

The Clio had been involved in a short chase when the driver failed to stop for officers. One person was detained after the crash, but three men made off on foot.

Personal trainer Elliot, 27, was knocked out by the impact of the smash at around 10.30pm. His dog Rogue, who was sat in the passenger seat, took the force of the airbag.

He said: “The car just flew out of the junction and the next thing I’ve been hit really hard.” Elliot said his car is a write-off, leaving him unable to work.

Police said enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information should contact them via 101, quoting crime reference number 13190008651.

Thanks from Melvin A PENSIONER has contacted ThePress to praise the “lovely care” of staff at a Mirfield care home.

Melvin Payne called our offices on Monday morning to give Ings Grove House a bit of good press, having stayed there for a month in November following his third hip operation.

Ings Grove was The Press abides by the given a “requires principles of the Independent improvement” rating by health chiefs at Press Standards Organisation the Care Quality and at all times attempts to Commission at its report fairly and accurately last inspection in and correct mistakes or errors September. as soon as possible.

But 84-year-old Mr In the first instance, contact Payne didn’t have a the editor, otherwise we will bad word to say be happy to give details of the about it. He said: “It Independent Press was brilliant. I had Standards Organisation. my third operation and spent a month If you notice a factual there, and I couldn’t inaccuracy, please email have got better care news@thepressnews.co.uk. anywhere else.

You can also write to “There was nothThe Press, 31 Branch Road, ing they wouldn’t do Batley, WF17 5SB for you. Their care has kept me going.”

We adhere to the Editors’ Mr Payne now Code of Practice as enforced lives on his own in

by IPSO, who are contactable Mirfield and is cared for advice at: for by a Locala IPSO, Gate House, nurse.

1 Farringdon Street, The Press couldn’t London, EC4M 7LG get in touch with the Website: www.ipso.co.uk care home by the Email: advice@ipso.co.uk time we went to Telephone: 0300 123 2220 print.

ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

‘Enough!’ say traders after another Birstall break-in

By Zoe Shackleton BIRSTALL traders have said “enough is enough” after yet another business was broken into at the weekend.

Burglars smashed their way into SMG Vapes on Bradford Road on Friday night, causing thousands of pounds’-worth of damage – for just £4 out of the till.

Over the past four months, The Press has reported a rise in similar crimes in Birstall. According to traders, it is being done by the same group of youths. In some cases, business owners have even given names and addresses to police.

A police meeting to try and tackle the recent spike in crime took place at the end of last year, with PCSOs in attendance. But traders feel nothing has changed, and there have been more break-ins since.

The owner of SMG Vapes, Sally Gibbons, said officers (as of Tuesday afternoon) hadn’t followed up her report of a break-in and she had to go to Dewsbury Police Station to try and get answers.

She has even thought about closing the shop, which she’s only run for three months, because of the recent incident in which windows were smashed, the till system broken and a shutter pulled off.

She said one of the suspects dropped their mobile phone case and battery at the scene. They had approached the shop on mopeds

“I close up now at three o’clock because I’m here on my own. What am I going to do if five of them turn up?

They’ve got me. I can’t guarantee police will even turn up” – SALLY GIBBONS, front, owner of SMG Vapes, with other traders before breaking in some time between 11.15pm and 11.38pm.

She said: “I close up now at three o’clock because I’m here on my own. We’ve thought about closing (indefinitely). I’m in here on my own – what am I going to do if five of them turn up? They’ve got me. I can’t guarantee police will even turn up.”

Members of the Birstall Chamber of Trade said they feel like they are “banging our heads against a brick wall” with police.

Vice chairman David Exley said:

“We want what we pay for – a police presence. We’ve got a particular problem, so we want the game upping. We want action from the police to arrest them.

“I want to keep pressure on police but we need to up it now. We need to go to head office at Kirklees and speak to the chief superintendent; enough is enough.

We want action, they know who they are and we want them locking up.”

One woman, who used to run a business in Birstall but didn’t want

Support group founder’s mental health plea THE founder of a mental health support group says more needs to be done to help those suffering.

Stevie Oliver, left, launched Dewsburybased Take Ten last year having suffered mental health problems all her life.

Volunteers from the group have been out in the community in the past few months trying to “reach out to those who may not be able to get to us”.

Stevie said they’ve spent time at the Greenway bridge on Westgate in Cleckheaton, Scammonden bridge in Huddersfield, and North Bridge in Halifax, where they managed to calm a distressed woman who had just lost her friend days before at the same site.

Stevie’s plea comes after a man in his 40s was found dead in the Tesco Extra car park in Batley on Sunday (see Page 5).

Two other men died in Wakefield over the weekend.

She said: “There isn’t enough being done. We need to get the word out that we are here to help.”

Stevie is meeting with

Kirklees Council’s commissioning manager for mental health, Tony Bacon, next month and wants people to get in touch with their stories to emphasise why more help is needed.

Take Ten meet every Wednesday from 10am-2.30pm at Dewsbury Town Hall.

The group is also re-branding its junior section as Take Ten Youths. Launching in the next few weeks, there’ll be separate meetings for eight- to 11-yearolds and 12- to 18-year-olds at the adventure playground in Crow Nest Park on Friday evenings.

Get in touch with Stevie on stevietaketen@hotmail.com.

Dewsbury man among 10 in dock at child sex abuse trial A MAN from Dewsbury is part of a gang of 10 men who have gone on trial accused of grooming and sexually abusing two teenage girls in care.

The trial started at Bradford Crown Court on Tuesday, where prosecutor Kama Melly QC said the men had “exploited and manipulated” the two girls.

Kieran Harris, 28, of Fir Parade, Ravensthorpe, is charged with two counts of rape.

It is alleged that the abuse started in 2008, when the girls were both aged 14 and living in a Bradford children’s home.

Ms Melly told the court that

the defendants engaged in “cynical and manipulative behaviour” for their own gratification.

She said: “They did so in a variety of ways, taking advantage of their youth and the situation (the girls) found themselves in, both entering care and in really difficult circumstances.

“Some of the defendants were actually forceful, threatening and violent, others used alcohol and drugs, others created a manipulated relationship in order to facilitate their sexual exploitation.

“But all defendants, say the Crown, engaged in cynical and manipulative behaviour

in order to achieve their objective of sexual activity with (the girls).”

Harris and the nine other men deny a total of 25 offences, including allegations of sexual assault and inciting child prostitution.

The court heard that the allegations came to light in 2014 when one of the two alleged victims asked her partner to call the BBC Look North studio after watching a programme relating to the Rotherham sex abuse scandal.

The BBC notified police of the allegations and officers began investigating her claims.

The trial continues.

to be named, said: “I was broken into five times during the time I had my business. You don’t get the money back for repairs, you get nothing back.

“There’s no stopping these kids because they know they can get away with it. I understand police have their hands tied but something needs to be done because these kids are out of control.

“What do they have to do before the police actually do something?”

Inspector Dorian James said: “West Yorkshire Police are investigating the break-in at the vape shop on Friday night and are appealing for witnesses and information.

“We do fully recognise business owners’ concerns at the spate of commercial burglaries in the area before Christmas and have been conducting extended patrols with both my local neighbourhood officers and specialist officers from outside Kirklees to discourage offending and provide a visible policing presence and this work will continue.

“Investigations continue with a number of lines of enquiry ongoing. I thank those who have come forward with information and would encourage anyone who may have information about these offences who we may not have spoken to, to contact us.”

Anyone wih information about the break-in at SMG Vapes should contact Batley and Spen NPT on 101, quoting crime reference number 13190007125.

News In Brief Man in court accused of wounding soldier NORTH KIRKLEES: A Dewsbury man charged after a soldier was knocked down by a car outside a Batley nightclub has been remanded in custody.

Hamza Ali Hussain, 23, of Middle Road, Westtown, appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning charged with section 18 wounding.

Joshua Adams-Mitchell, a 21-year-old soldier, was knocked down by a blue Mercedes outside the TBC nightclub on Bradford Road at 4.41am on New Year’s Day. He suffered a fractured cheekbone and eye socket and bruising to his face and body.

Two men aged 21 and 27 were also arrested in connection with the incident but were released pending further investigation.

Magistrates sent Hussain’s case to Leeds Crown Court, where he will first appear on Friday, February 1.

Boy, 8, hurt in crash HECKMONDWIKE: An eight-year-old boy was taken to hospital with serious injuries after being involved in a car crash on Sunday evening.

Emergency services were called to White Lee Road at its junction with Dale Lane in Heckmondwike at around 8pm, after a red Audi and a black 4x4 collided.

The boy was taken to Leeds General Infirmary but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Anyone who witnessed the collision should call police via 101 quoting log 1571 of January 6.

Duncan’s on-song DEWSBURY: Duncan Verity will give a talk on songs from stage and screen at Thornhill Probus Club on Thursday (January 17, 10am for 10.30) at Thornhill Social Club, on Overthorpe Road.

For more information call 01924 423363.

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ThePress

News In Brief Teenager killed in M1 bridge plunge named

Friday January 11, 2019

Politicians’ abuse in the spotlight

OSSETT: A teenager who died after falling from a bridge on the M1 has been named as Jamie Leigh Hudson.

The 18-year-old, from Wakefield, fell from the bridge near junction 40 at Ossett two weeks ago and was hit by several vehicles travelling south. She died at the scene.

Dewsbury-based mental health support group Take Ten will be speaking at a mental health awareness fundraising event for the teenager on Saturday, February 2, in a drive to help young people suffering with mental health problems.

‘Game On’ at library MIRFIELD: The library will begin its 70th birthday celebrations with a gaming fun day.

Retro board game group ‘Game On!’ are putting on the event tomorrow (Saturday 11am-1.30pm). It’s a chance for people to have a go at old-school games. The group meets regularly at the library on Huddersfield Road and hopes to prove to the council that it is “essential” to the community amid fears of closure.

Ordination tributes NORTH KIRKLEES: Catholic churches in Cleckheaton and Heckmondwike came together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ordination of their Parish Priest, Father Nicholas Hird.

Father Nicholas served at St Paulinus in Dewsbury for more than a decade from 2001, and was the Dean of the Catholic churches around the Heavy Woollen and Spen district for nine years. In 2014 he was appointed to Cleckheaton and the following year was also made responsible for Heckmondwike.

Celebrations took place at Holy Spirit Church in Heckmondwike and Our Lady and St Paul’s Church in Cleckheaton.

RAMBLERS: Dewsbury & District Ramblers started the new year with a walk from Thornhill’s Rectory Park down Smithy Brook Lane and Low Lane and on to the Coxley Valley.

On Sunday, a group walked from Gawthorpe through Woodkirk and Soothill.

Tomorrow (Saturday) there’s a Mirfield walk, meeting David Banks at Link Road (9.30am).

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PRESS publisher Danny Lockwood appeared on BBC Newsnight on Tuesday as part of a panel discussing the recent harassment of politicians by protestors.

Mr Lockwood debated the subject with, from right above, Remain campaigner Gina Miller, pro-Brexit Labour MP Kate Hoey, presenter Emily Maitlis and Times political columnist Lord Daniel Finkelstein.

Topics included the harassment of Anna Soubry, the proremain Conservative MP, who faced chants of ‘Soubry is a Nazi’ from pro-Brexit protesters wearing yellow vests. She was also called ‘scum’ as she tried to re-enter Parliament.

All the Newsnight panelists condemned the actions of the protestors and Mr Lockwood said: “If you look at the entire level of debate across the last two and a half years, it’s been

driven down. A lot of people feel marginalised and I just worry that it is taken as yet another example of what your typical Brexiteer is – because it certainly isn’t.”

The Press contacted the district’s two MPs in the wake of the Soubry incident. Paula Sherriff (Lab, Dewsbury and Mirfield) said: “I’m appalled by the comments directed at Anna Soubry.

“MPs inevitably draw criti-

cism for their views, particularly on issues that people feel passionately about, and I wholeheartedly support the right to peaceful protest.

“But it is wholly unacceptable for anyone, MP or otherwise, to be subject to intimidation and abuse while they go about their work.

“There is a distinct difference between scrutiny and debate and bullying and abuse – they have no place in our democracy or our society.”

Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin said: “No-one should have to endure abuse and intimidation at their place of work or anywhere else.

“This type of behaviour has no place in our society and politicians along with everyone else should be free to go about their work without fear of harassment.

“I realise we live in a challenging political era where emotions are running high but it is vital we treat each other with respect.”

‘Significant progress’ on children’s services

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter CHILDREN’S services in Kirklees are continuing to improve, say inspectors from the education and children’s watchdog Ofsted.

It is good news for Kirklees Council, which two years ago received a damning inspection report that led to government intervention.

Following a two-day monitoring visit on December 4 and 5, the authority was found to have made “significant progress”.

In their report, inspectors Rachel Holden and Matt Reed noted: “Improvement

is gathering pace and there is now increasing focus on quality as well as ensuring that statutory compliance is met.”

Their review covered the assessment of risk, information sharing, children being seen alone, the quality of social work practice (including child protection plans), and management decisionmaking, oversight and supervision.

The workforce was found to be stable and workers’ morale was good.

In her letter to Steve Walker, interim director of children’s services at the council, Ms Holden wrote: “There has been a significant improvement since the

last monitoring visit in November 2017, in relation to the initial response to children who need help and protection.

“In the cases seen, children are safe, and immediate risks are appropriately assessed using a multiagency approach.

“Strengthened processes and effective management oversight is ensuring robust decision-making.

“This is monitored routinely and challenged appropriately.

“Assessment and plans are improved, with more assessments that better identify and evaluate risk and consider the experiences of children.

“The early help offer is still embedding and it is too soon to see its overall effectiveness, but inspectors saw evidence that children and families were receiving support based on their identified needs.”

She added that Kirklees is aware there is still more to do to ensure consistency and quality improves in cases where children need a social work assessment, and in ensuring children’s records were kept up to date.

In a small number of cases, some children did not receive an assessment of needs. Training has commenced to support improvements.

Minister backing scandal review

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter AN independent review into the child grooming scandal that tainted the reputation of the Kirklees district has received support from the government.

In a letter to Coun Shabir Pandor, leader of Labour-led Kirklees Council, Home Office minister Victoria Atkins recognised the work the authority was doing around the issue.

In welcoming her comments, Coun Pandor said the review would determine “what went wrong and how we go forward”. It will be chaired by Dr Mark Peel, chairman of Leeds Children Safeguarding Partnership.

The review is focusing initially on the 21 cases that have been through the court process and will look at the roles of the council, police, schools and colleges and the health sector.

Coun Pandor added: “I welcome the minister’s support of the review...into what is an issue that should never have happened and must never occur again.

“The protection of all our vulnerable residents continues to be our highest priority.”

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ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

Home CCTV ‘could aid the fight against crime’

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter THE public could do their bit in fighting crime by signing up to a voluntary database offering CCTV footage to help catch miscreants.

The suggestion came as Kirklees Council looks set to merge its 24-hour CCTV – which monitors public open spaces – and its direct out-ofhours service, which takes requests for emergency repairs and noise nuisance calls, among other things.

Combining the two services will save £53,000 a year.

Will Acornley, head of operational services for the council, said he hoped the change would happen by the summer.

There was a suggestion from Dewsbury South councillor Gulfam Asif that the spike in domestic CCTV cameras could assist in the fight against crime.

He asked whether the council could encourage members of the public to join a voluntary database of CCTV camera owners whose footage might be made available in the event of a crime.

He said it could fill in areas where “blind spots” prevented the pursuit or identification of criminals who might otherwise be caught in the act.

Coun Asif asked: “Is there any way of collating this information, or having a list of people to sign up to so that we have a database of who has CCTV surrounding their properties?

“It might be that if that view is blocked with (criminals wearing) balaclavas, or they change into different clothes, then somebody might pick that up. So you’ve got a time of when the crime happened and a database exactly mapping it out as to where we can get that information.

“It’s not for somebody to knock on the door and ask,

‘Can I have footage of the last 24 hours?’ It’s a case of when something happens, someone’s going to pick it up – the same with dash cams.

“The public, without realising it, could be helping to solve a crime. Having that database of exactly where the hot spots are and where the crime happens (means) the public can actually do their bit.”

Mr Acornley advised that the police take the lead on such matters and GDPR prevented the council from asking for private CCTV footage.

He added that whilst the council can work with the police in “live tracking” criminals, that service does not link with domestic cameras.

The council is also looking at providing mobile camera systems to monitor fly-tipping hotspots in order to build the “burden of proof” against people who dump waste, with a view to taking them to court.

Air cadets flying high again MIRFIELD Air Cadets have been hitting new heights again.

Nine members of the squadron completed their bronze level leadership course at an assessment day with other cadets from Wakefield and Sheffield.

Only four other cadets from the South and West Yorkshire Wing completed the programme, which involved a knowledge test and a

series of leadership tasks.

The successful Mirfield cadets were Aiden Booth, Mitchell Breare, Blue Cockcroft, Matthew Devine, Rebecca Jagger, Toby Mathews, Sachen Pathak, Freya Pugh and Cora Smith.

Cadet Breare said: “The whole course was well structured and planned out, and the participants knew what they had to do.”

Attempted murder charge A MAN charged with attempted murder will appear at Leeds Crown Court next month.

Abdul Kapade, 49, of Highfield Court, Soothill, came before Leeds magistrates on Saturday morning accused of committing the offence against a man on the same street in the early hours of last Thursday.

Kapade spoke only to confirm his age, address and British nationality and was remanded in custody.

Chairman of the bench David

Hall said: “You are facing very serious charges I regret to say, so the matter is being sent to the Crown Court.”

Kapade will appear at Leeds Crown Court on Friday, February 1, where he will be asked to provide his plea to the charge.

The victim of the alleged assault, who is in his 40s, is in a critical condition at Leeds General Infirmary with a serious head injury.

5

Body in car park THE BODY of a man in his 40s was found in the Tesco Extra car park in Batley on Sunday evening.

Police were called to a report for a concern for safety at 8.25pm.

Emergency services attended and discov-

ered a body in the stairwell leading from the car park into Batley town centre. The man has been named locally as Paul Sheard. His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file has been prepared for the coroner.

ThePress

6

Friday January 11, 2019

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A sucker-punch from Auntie HEN you receive a call from BBC Two’s Newsnight producers, they play a little game before confirming your invite.

They tell you the subject and ask what you think, obviously having discussed your likely response. That’s how they ensure a range of opinions and thus a lively debate.

You wouldn’t invite two Leeds Utd fans onto a sports panel if you wanted to provoke a punch-up, would you?

You’d get a Man Utd fan involved too.

Well, there was no punching involved in Tuesday night’s main Newsnight topic, just a bunch of boorish, Brexiteering bullies, giving the sneering hypocrite Tory MP Anna Soubry an unedifying ration of abuse as she tried to do a TV interview.

Now Soubry could talk the back leg off a donkey. She’s on telly more often than the weatherman. But the mob

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Presenter Emily Maitlis tried to land a knockout blow on Newsnight called her some very unpleasant names and on a different day some of them could – should – have been arrested for threatening behaviour.

Why is Soubry a hypocrite?

She admits she only backed a referendum because she was sure Remain would win, and when her constituency (Broxstowe) voted Leave she promised to honour the result.

She’s since performed a uturn that would put Lewis

Hamilton in the safety barriers and is one of the most rabid second vote snowflakes.

But a ‘sneering’ hypocrite?

That’s because she’s spent much of the last 30 months insulting Leave voters as moronic bigots who shouldn’t be trusted to walk upright, let alone have the vote.

Neither has she shied away from using the ‘fascist’ and ‘Nazi’ labels when she’s felt it appropriate, but which are now words never to be used in

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the presence of Honourable Members of Parliament, because it upsets the poor sweethearts. Aw diddums.

The fact is that the only real difference between the protesting yobs and Anna Soubry – plus her Parliamentary colleagues, all responsible for dragging the Brexit discourse into the sewer – is their posher accents and slightly better articulation.

On Monday outside Parliament, Soubry and another greasy little self-publicist, the Far Left ‘commentator’ Owen Jones, got a ration of their own insulting abuse, except that it was served uncomfortably close and personal.

Too close and personal for my liking because such aggressive harassment is not acceptable, whether someone is a public figure or not. The police should act.

But to pretend that 30 months of political and establishment insults and lies haven’t contributed to public fury, and hence what happened on Monday, is to hold up people like Theresa May, George Osborne and the rest of the self-serving rabble as sainted patriots.

On Tuesday’s Newsnight I tried to lighten the mood by saying ‘where’s John Prescott when you need him?’ (remember the ex-deputy PM taking a swipe at a heckler who threw an egg at him?)

I should have seen the warning signs when arch-leftie host Emily Maitlis seized on that like a hungry Notting Hill veggie spotting a three bean salad. “Are you saying Ms Soubry should have hit them?”

Of course not, calm down dear!

I was being teed up like a Tiger Woods Titleist, because of course Maitlis knew I would say that politicians have helped create this unedifying mess.

Similarly, she knew that I think the main reason the BBC got its liberal knickers in

Playing fast and loose with the memory of MP NE point I would have liked to have discussed surrounding the abuse of MPs, is the continuous exhuming of Jo Cox. Maybe she’d have liked the thought of being adopted as patron saint of each and every spurious liberal cause going, I don’t know. Tragically she hasn’t a say.

It was bad enough that husband Brendan weaponised Jo’s political value as a staunch Remain campaigner before her body was barely cold.

Now someone heckles a female MP and up flashes Jo Cox’s picture with the tacit implication that there’s a direct and dangerous line between a spot of public rowdiness and Thomas Mair’s murderous madness.

The BBC play fast and loose with their ‘far right’ Mair references, trying to edge him ever closer to any populist British causes – yet I sat through

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a twist over a bit of unseemly name-calling, was to underline its agenda that those Soubry-baiting yobs are representative of all Leave voters.

Back Brexit and you’re a far-right thug, according to the BBC’s authoritarian – some might say fascist – agenda.

Hands up, I never saw the knockout blow coming. It was like bending to give Sleeping Beauty her wake-up kiss, and opening your eyes to find Mike Tyson biting your face off.

‘Says you!’ (says Maitlis, seizing her moment). It seems some female Labour MPs refuse to appear on Newsnight if Lockwood is on, believing he’s “a Tommy Robinson-lite”.

Boom. And no good appealing to the ref for a low blow.

Damage done sunshine. You got sucker punched!

But really, I frighten seasoned MPs? Wouldn’t it be easier just to not have me waste a day trailing to London and back?

that entire trial, and my recollection is that his sick interests were with South African and Third Reich groups and literature. He wasn’t a domesticised extremist, such as anyone could tell.

Mair was a coward, sick and evil to his core, and no-one spotted it until it was too late.

If I could have got between him and that young woman I would have taken my chances, as I hope most men would.

Have-a-go hero Bernard Kenny tried and got a dagger in his guts for it, while Clarke Rothwell went to Jo’s aid outside Birstall library too, but it was too late.

Clarke jumped into his van to try track the fleeing Mair down, because I spoke to him as he scoured the area.

He’s a massive Brexit believer by the way. Sadly, that won’t fit the Newsnight profile…

But that’s not the point folks – the point is painting any and all dissenting voices into the corner with the farright knuckle-draggers.

And boy, you should have seen the online hate that came rapidly spewing out from the BBC’s Fascist Left friends (they probably wear their Antifa balaclavas while typing, because I doubt they could grow a pair between them. Keyboard warriors).

Naturally Maitlis wouldn’t name those paragons of cowardly Parliamentary virtue and when I ripped back in she was eager to move matters on, having scored the goal they’d clearly worked on all day.

We never got to the other point I’d raised with the producer – that if Parliament succeeds in its clear goal of sabotaging Brexit, then those idiots shouting a few names at Anna Soubry won’t even be the tip of the yellow-jacketed iceberg that will sweep through London.

It just needs to bulldoze Broadcasting House on its way to Westminster.

‘Deputies’ could police our streets AST week’s warning from West Yorkshire Police to local councillors, highlighting the presence of what were essentially vigilante Muslim gangs in Batley, came as some surprise.

It was nothing to do with the brutal – alleged – car attack on Pte Josh Adams-Mitchell, insisted the police, but “concerned citizens” trying to deal with a rash of crimes in their community.

Why was I surprised? Firstly, because no such crimes had been publicised by Kirklees or West Yorkshire Police.

Indeed, it was only when The Press presented information on a robbery in Healey on New Year’s Day, that the force confirmed it – and repeated their plea for people not to take matters into their own hands.

Good luck with that, because by Monday we were being sent images of those ‘concerned’ citizens getting to grips with young members of their community they suspected of

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being out of line.

It shouldn’t happen of course, but if the police response is either ineffective or non-existent (and at this point let me support their ‘bare-bone resources’ defence) then it becomes increasingly understandable that people will take direct action.

I certainly won’t criticise Muslim community leaders unwilling to stand helplessly by and let the thugs take over.

In fact here’s a thought – maybe the police should ‘swear in’ public-spirited citizens as de facto deputies, and indeed others in areas like Birstall and beyond who are plagued by crime the police can’t halt.

I know it can’t and won’t happen, but if the police simply cannot cope, it makes sense on one level at least to offer legal protection to public-spirited citizens willing to deal with the problems.

Because someone needs to reclaim the streets.

ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

Centre’s got plenty of activity for older people BATLEY Older People’s Centre has a number of regular activities planned next week.

On Monday (January 14), there is the popular Movement and Games group, pictured, at the centre on Upper Commercial Street (10.30am-noon).

On Wednesday the Midweek Meet and Eat

News In Brief Knife robber settled for a can of beer

session runs from 12.30pm to 2pm.

Participants are asked to bring a packed lunch and join in a choice of activities, including knitting and games.

On Thursday, the Lunch Club meets from 12.30pm to 2pm – prebooking is essential.

For details on any activities call 01924 446 100.

‘Inadequate’ care home placed in special measures

Fewer funerals for 20 weeks at crematorium

A HECKMONDWIKE care home has been placed in special measures.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) officials said that Garlands Residential & Dementia Care Home was neither safe nor well-led. It was rated ‘inadequate’ in both categories.

Inspectors found parts of the home weren’t clean and found a cat litter tray full of cat faeces next to nutritional supplies in the basement.

The CQC report highlighted issues with fire safety and residents’ medicines not always being administered safely.

By Steve Martyn

It said that while staff were “caring and kind”, residents’ dignity was not always maintained and they were “not always served meals and drinks in a way which respected their personal preferences and choices”.

If the home fails to improve in the next six months, it could be shut down.

A spokesman for the home said: “We are deeply upset by our recent inspection and all issues raised...we are working hard to ensure our standards improve.

“We have already seen real improvements.”

DEWSBURY CREMATORIUM will be operating at reduced capacity as refurbishment work begins.

Instead of nine or 10 funerals a day, the Dewsbury Moor facility will only be able to host four services during the five-month revamp.

There will also be a full closure of the premises for a week.

Work to replace ageing cremators was due to start in December as part of a £3m Kirklees investment in crematoria.

The council said work to replace inefficient equipment, with the option to install a third cremator at Dewsbury in the future, has been planned for some time.

Refurbishment has begun and will run for 20 weeks while ‘front of house’ work, including upgrades to cold

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MIRFIELD: An armed robber held a shopkeeper at knifepoint – before running off with just a can of beer.

The thief walked into Lee Green newsagents just before 5pm on Thursday, December 27. He took the can of beer to the counter and once the till was opened, pulled out a knife and made demands for cash. He then fled with just the drink.

It is believed he was with two others, with whom he walked off in the direction of Water Royd Lane.

Anyone with information should call Kirklees District CID via 101, quoting crime reference number 13180647454.

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storage facilities and some structural changes, will be completed at a later date.

The two cremators in Dewsbury and three in Huddersfield presently handle around 3,000 cremations a year.

Council officials say the investment will give people confidence by preventing breakdowns and “everincreasing manual intervention” to ensure services are “stress-free and respectful”.

New equipment will also feature emission controls to meet new government standards that come into force next year.

Crematoria will need to comply with a zero emissions rate for mercury, which is found in dental amalgam and can be released into the air from the incinerator stack.

HECKMONDWIKE: A man who was caught collecting a bag filled with £64,000 in cash from an off-licence has appeared in court.

Afzhan Nasar Hussain, 42, of Old Station Court, Heckmondwike, was seen picking up the cash from an off-licence in Halifax on September 5, 2017. Police found the bag in his vehicle.

Hussain said the money wasn’t his and that he was collecting the bag as a favour for an associate. He admitted possession of criminal property and was given a suspended prison sentence of 12 months.

Appeal for relatives HECKMONDWIKE: Coroner’s officers want to trace the relatives of Malcolm Woodward, 72, of Brighton Street, who died in hospital on Sunday (January 6). There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

It is thought he could have a daughter and may have originally been from Leeds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact coroner’s officers on 01274 373721.

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ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

Can you help with breweries’ history?

Letter of the Week: Bob Tomlinson, Lindley I found the article on pub life by David Bentley in Friday’s edition of The Press very interesting and very relevant to the increasing problem of pub closures in the country.

It was also good to note that the Batley and Birstall Civic Society has focused on local pubs and highlighted the loss to the community of these social amenities.

In the past pubs were used as social meeting places as well as places to have a drink. In fact many clubs, welfare organisations and businesses started life in Victorian pubs.

The life of the pub is a fascinating one, and I am reminded of the historical research of local Batley pub historian Rod Kaye, who has written

New rules could help From: James Roberts, Scholes I see Councillor Sheard has popped his head up to say that the council is powerless to prevent fly-tipping.

I find the statement although true somewhat amazing!

He then goes on to say that they have fined offenders a measly £150 last year. It’s time to start getting tough with these morons who blight our countryside – put them out on our highways and byways litter picking with orange overalls on.

Having said that, what role have Kirklees played to cause some of it?

They have allowed the tips to become virtually no-go areas for certain types of waste.

For example, rubble and plasterboard are now banned from being taken to your local Kirklees tips.

You have to register your car or you are not allowed in and woe betide you if your trailer is longer than that allowed, you are told to take the waste home!

What a fiasco. I live on the edge of the Kirklees area and my nearest tip is a mile away, which is not in the Kirklees district. I have to travel seven miles to my nearest tip.

Is that helping the environment? When West Yorkshire were in charge of the tips you could take your waste to anyone of them.

Can I suggest that all the West Yorkshire councils adopt the same policy and forget about not being a ratepayer in the area?

It may reduce the amount of fly-tipping which has cer-

about Batley and Dewsbury pubs.

As a member of the Brewery History Society, I am particularly interested in the former Spen Valley Brewery Co. Ltd, which was based on Whitcliffe Road, Cleckheaton, and later acquired by Thomas Ramsden & Son in 1951. At the time of its closure it was a bottler and owner of various licensed premises.

I would be interested to hear from any of The Press’ readers with knowledge of the brewery, or Springwell Brewery in Heckmondwike.

Also, if anyone has any items or pictures of these breweries and pubs, I can be contacted at robert.tomlinson@cht.nhs.uk, or on 01484 355378.

tainly increased since the current restrictions were introduced!

Pool parking is a concern From: Catherine Brooke, via email As a regular KAL user at Batley Baths I am concerned about the lack of parking.

There are time limits of one hour on the nearby street parking which doesn’t allow you to get changed, complete a swimming or fitness session, get showered and dressed.

Luckily I have no mobility problems, but a lot of pensioners go to the sessions held there and one of the customers was very upset today at receiving a parking ticket after attending a 45-minute aqua class.

As we all start the New Year and are embarking on healthy resolutions to get fit, this was an upsetting and costly experience for a KAL member from Kirklees.

Other sports centres have on-site parking, Batley Baths doesn’t.

A sensible resolution would be to increase the parking to one and a half hours so users of the facilities can continue to use the facilities without the worry of receiving a fine for trying to stay healthy.

Charity begins at home From: Martin McFadden, Drighlington Two years of twaddle and bull, wriggling and scheming to twist the will of the people.

Breathtakingly beyond

belief is the 20 billion pounds given by us, year on year, to other countries.

Mrs May should announce this is cancelled, and also tell the EU we are ‘OUT’ and we are not paying the 40 billion into their unaccountable coffers.

Then divide that 60 billion between the NHS and the police and also declare that the new equivalent of VAT will be reduced to 15 per cent.

Most people would admire her, sharing optimism and enthusiasm for our new future, pulling together, to put the ‘Great’ back in to Britain, rather than being the demoralised crew of a rudderless ship heading for the rocks.

Finally, another moralebooster for these rejuvenated shipmates would be that HS2 is cancelled, saving countless billions, a fraction of which is going to be spent on improving the services and facilities of our existing rail network.

There, job done.

that mirrors their degree. I know two law graduates – one is a van driver; the other stacking shelves!

They’d have to go to London to have much of a chance. Ugh!!

There were over 30 applicants for a mediocre job I once applied for, and that was 15 years ago.

Many people ‘opt out’ and are content to live on benefits all their lives.

The more people in the country, then the more there are wanting their share of the national cake.

The good times are over for most, unless you are one of the over-paid fat cats or filthy rich.

It’s looking like a world full of zero-hours contracts, unpaid internships, poverty wages and multi-millionaires like Cliff Richard, Claudia Winkleman and JK Rowling helping to recruit unpaid volunteers for NHS hospitals, to add to all the other volunteers in charity shops and public organisations.

Good times are Police are over for most victims like us From: Mr A Roberts, Dewsbury When I drive past the school gates and see the multitudes of cheerful children, full of hope, I almost feel sorry for them.

With the relentless march of automation, computers of robotic influences, just where will all the jobs be for them?

Most avenues are completely saturated in Britain; 80 per cent of new businesses go bust within two years.

We have twice as many shops as are needed!

Only 48 per cent of university graduates are in a job

From: Steve Cass, Mirfield I’m a bit more sympathetic to the police than Danny Lockwood is (‘Race gangs still run the district’s streets’, Ed Lines 4.1.19).

The state of society is a function of the decisions made in Parliament.

The police like the rest of us are left to manage as best they can in a mess created by our politicians, Lib, Lab, and Con. Your house is a reflection of the decisions you make about running it, and it’s the same with the country.

And since for most of us looking after a house is as much responsibility as we want, we delegate looking after the country to elected representatives on the basis of the promises they make at election time and the commitment they make to acting in our best interests.

The question is, and it applies to them across the board, why do our elected representatives think that reshaping society into its present form was a good idea and in what way do they think it was in our best interests?

Even more curious is their reluctance to explain the thinking behind their creation, because for all their love of talking they never want to talk about this.

Are they not proud of their ‘achievement’? Try asking Paula Sherriff and Tracy Brabin about it and I wager they’ll start talking about the NHS. Looking at the self-servers, hypocrites, and incompetents

that grace the benches in Parliament, it’s hard not to conclude that they are totally out of their depth – consider for a moment our pipsqueak Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and compare him with for instance his equivalents in Russia and China.

Does anyone really believe that this shower of ours would be able to manage in a real crisis?

The problem is that our politicians are feelings-led rather than facts-led.

They are wishful thinkers who believe that it’s enough to be optimistic for everything to turn out well.

The wisdom of hoping for the best but planning for the worst completely escapes them.

The police are inhibited by political correctness because the lawmakers, that is the politicians in Parliament, have decreed it.

Political correctness was designed by cynical and bungling politicians to minimise criticism of the adverse consequences of their bungling.

And the police are just as much victims of it as the rest of us are.

Please note: Correspondents must supply a name and postal address, even if you do not wish the information to be published.

The editor reserves the right to shorten or amend letters for legal or other reasons.

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ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

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News In Brief Best of British night for Mayor’s charities MIRFIELD: Batley History Group member Wendy Storey has organised a ‘Best of British’ evening – to raise money for the Kirklees Mayor’s two charities – at the Navigation Tavern in Mirfield on Saturday, January 26.

There’ll be entertainment from local singer Natasha Harper, a glass of fizz on arrival and a pie and pea supper – all for just £15.

All money raised will go to Mayor of Kirklees Gwen Lowe’s chosen charities, Kirkwood Hospice and the RSPCA. Tickets can be bought from Wendy on 07538 670736 or wendy_storey@hotmail. com. A dress code of red, white and blue is optional but there’ll be a prize for the bestdressed.

MP’s Q&A event BATLEY: MP Tracy Brabin is hosting another question and answer event at the Batley Irish Nash. After a debut event in September with Batley & Spen Police Inspector Dorian James, the Labour MP is returning on Thursday, January 31 (8pm-10pm).

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Friday January 11, 2019

Planning chiefs under fire over homes scheme

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter PLANNING chiefs have been urged to examine their consciences after approving a controversial scheme to build houses on a former railway line.

Up to 74 homes can now be built on the 6.6 acre site off Walkley Terrace and Brunswick Street in Heckmondwike.

The railway cutting, which has been disused since the 1960s, is viewed by many locals as a ‘green corridor’ in the town.

But members of Kirklees Council’s Strategic Planning Committee voted to support the plan to re-model the land by cutting away some areas and placing soil in the bottom of the cutting to provide an area where houses can be built.

Plans to transform the cutting, long considered one of the town’s few wildlife havens, were opposed by scores of residents.

Several spoke at the meeting in Huddersfield Town Hall, addressing issues such as highway safety, congestion, drainage and ecology.

They made their comments following a public meeting on December 14, which many considered to be rushed through, giving objectors no genuine opportunity to state their case.

Heckmondwike councillor David Sheard, the deputy leader of the Labour group on Kirklees Council, warned that the old railway line, used as a cycleway

and walkway, was considered an alternative to the Spen Valley Greenway if that route was given over to a potential new railway line in the future.

Speaking on behalf of local objectors, Victoria Harrington said given that the application breaches several planning policies she and her fellow opponents were ‘shocked and appalled’ at the decision, which went through on a 4-3 vote.

She said: “We made a number of strong arguments (for) protecting Heckmondwike from the continuing over-development that we suffer here and we were disappointed that the majority of the committee did not seem to take any of these issues into consideration.

“We cannot understand how the planning officer, Glenn Wakefield, can in all conscience recommend this development unless he and the rest of the Kirklees planning department have come to the conclusion that Heckmondwike has gone down the pan and it makes no difference if the last bit of space is developed.”

She added that the development “brings no benefit to Heckmondwike. It will cost Kirklees dear in terms of the drainage, engineering and traffic issues that it will cause, and it will have a negative impact on Heckmondwike.

“We would like to believe that the planning department approached this application in an objective, even-handed manner and were fair to all involved.

“It is hard to have faith in such ideals in light of the decision.”

Neal’s new base - for basses!

A NEW string instrument workshop has opened in Mirfield.

Luthier Neal Heppleston hand-makes new double basses and will also repair and restore string instruments at his new workshop in Holme Bank Mills.

There’ll also be accessories and student instruments

available at the Heppleston Double Basses facility.

The workshop will be open throughout the week, but to book an appointment for repairs email neal@ hepplestondoublebasses.com or call him on 07763 688127.

Visit www.heppleston doublebasses.com for more information.

Driver’s 26-month ban A DRINK-DRIVER has been banned from the roads for more than two years.

Sylvia Foley, of Gladstone Court, Dewsbury, was almost three times over the legal limit when she clipped the wing mirror of another driver’s car on Ashworth Green in Dewsbury in the early hours of December 7.

The other driver called police to tell them the 54year-old might have been

drinking.

Breath tests revealed a reading of 98 microgrammes of alcohol.

The limit is 35mcg. Her lawyer Daniel Metcalfe said she was driving to see her partner after a row.

Foley was banned from driving for 26 months and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. She must also pay £85 in court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

Throughout 2019 local historian Mike Popplewell will be searching through his newspaper collection from the 1920s and 30s for some of the biggest headlines from home and abroad – while also taking a look at stories making the news in our own district. Readers are welcome to provide feedback if any of these features are remembered personally, or you can recall being told them by an earlier generation.

United in their planning bid

When culture flourished

By David Spereall Local democracy reporter

ALTHOUGH both business and working class people were plagued by financial difficulties in the early post-Great War years, it wasn’t all doom and gloom.

For example, cinemas and theatres flourished, providing escapism from the sometimes grim realities of life, and it was during this period that some of the greatest names in entertainment came to the fore.

Actress Gladys Cooper, grandmother of theatre critic Sheridan Morley and mother of the great comedy actor Robert Morley, was still in her prime and packing theatres with her performances, while silent films were producing international stars by the wagonload.

But one man stood out above the rest and that was Londonborn Charlie Chaplin.

Chaplin’s film character of ‘The Tramp’ became became iconic and in 1921 he teamed up with child star Jackie Coogan to make one of his most famous films – ‘The Kid’.

The film was a huge hit, and is recognised today as a film classic, but while Chaplin went on to great heights in many aspects of the industry, making his last film in 1966 at the age of 77, his ‘Kid’ co-star also became a familiar face on both sides of the Atlantic, in the 1960s, as Uncle Fester in The Addams Family TV comedy series.

Before his film career took off Charlie was a big theatre attraction as part of Fred Karno’s Comedy Troupe.

Renowned for everything descending into chaos in his shows, Fred became a byword for a shambles and I lost count of the number of times I heard the expression “It was a right Fred Karno’s turnout” as I was growing up.

It was with Fred Karno’s Troupe that Charlie actually came to Dewsbury before the Great War and appeared at the Dewsbury Theatre Royal.

He’d also appeared in 1906 at the Empire Theatre, alongside a young Stan Laurel, with a travelling troupe called Casey’s Circus.

Whilst money was in short supply it didn’t stop the major stores, like Selfridges, taking out full-page adverts in national newspapers like The Daily Mail but, while London’s West End might still be thriving, it is questionable how many women in the Dewsbury mills were laying out 45/9d for a new dressing gown or 18/6 (92p) for some flannel pyjamas.

And it’s pretty certain there were few takers in these parts for the pure moleskin coats at 28 pounds – January sale or not.

That was seven weeks’ wages when I started work in 1959!

But, on a more positive note, watching sport was still within the pocket of most fans – unlike

today I’d dare suggest. Or am I the exception?

And here in the heartland of rugby league the Dewsbury club were performing well.

In October 1920 Dewsbury knocked Huddersfield out of the Yorkshire Cup with a 7-0 victory at Crown Flatt after a 5-5 draw at Fartown.

They followed that with a 3-2 win over Halifax in front of 26,584 fans at Crown Flatt in the quarter final.

Unfortunately Hull KR, the eventual winners, beat them 8-5 in the semi-final in Hull in November, but revenge couldn’t have been sweeter when the two sides clashed again at Crown Flatt in the first round of the Challenge Cup 10 weeks later and Dewsbury finished 12-0 winners.

A 22-0 win at Featherstone Rovers followed, but a 5-2 defeat at Rochdale Hornets (after a 0-0 draw!) ended their cup campaigns for the year.

Batley were rather less successful, losing in the Yorkshire Cup second round to Hunslet and 5-0 at Halifax in the first round of the Challenge Cup. However, after the four-year break during the war everyone was just happy to see sport getting back to something like normal.

Along with the cinema and the theatre sport brought another reassuring sense of normality – albeit a very fragile one.

OSSETT UNITED has said its plans to build new dressing rooms remain on track, despite Wakefield Council refusing to let the club knock down its current facilities.

United still expect to have a new changing block for home and away players at the Ingfield Stadium before the start of next season, after the local authority gave the idea planning permission back in September.

But last week the council said it couldn’t allow the ground’s existing changing facilities to be demolished, because it hadn’t received important information from the club about the job.

Specifically, the local authority wanted to know how the effects of the demolition on nearby residents would be limited. But case officer Sarah Westwood said that despite “numerous requests” no response had been received.

It is now understood that the council’s emails were never received by Ossett because of a technical problem.

The two parties are now talking again and the Evo-Stik League club has lodged a second bid for the demolition to take place, which is expected to meet planning criteria.

This would allow redevelopment to begin in May after the final game of the current season, and finish before the players return from their summer holidays in July.

Ossett United’s chief executive Phil Smith said: “We have been unsuccessful in our first application for the demolition, but we are now working with Sarah (Westwood) and her team at the council, who’ve helped us to submit a second application.

“We’re confident that this time around we will tick all the boxes and we will be able to start the work in the close season.

“We’ve made a commitment to try and have the new changing rooms up and running by the start of the following pre-season.”

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Happy Holidays Throughout 2019 To All Our Customers & Friends

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ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

13

More than ! r e n i d a t s ju L LATE

L I T S Y A D 7 N E OP BATLEY'S hidden 'Jem’ has just got bigger, better and even tastier.

The bike experts at Jem Speed Shop have responded to huge customer demand by completely transforming their Bradford Road premises to create an all-new dining experience that has to be seen to be believed.

After launching in 2017 Jem’s Pit Stop Diner proved to be a hit with customers, located downstairs in the unique ‘street-style’ area beneath the bike showroom.

It was such a success that the owners decided to expand the concept and, after months of hard work from the 25-strong team, the diner has been relocated upstairs in a real labour of love that launched just before Christmas.

Everything that customers loved about the diner remains, but now there’s even more to whet the appetite.

The kitchen is four times bigger and the menu has been improved and expanded, but many local residents still aren’t aware of what lies just off Bradford Road.

This is more than just a diner, and customers are already flocking to the stunning and

Group friendly & dog friendly (Downstairs)

surprising venue.

The Pit Stop menu includes mouthwatering burgers, pizzas, steaks, sharing platters and hot dogs, some of which will tame the hungriest of appetites!

Many of the meals have a motorsport theme, and breakfast is a speciality, with plenty to choose from including pancakes, omelettes and skillet hash.

Now open late seven days a week, Jem’s Pit Stop also has an impressive bar area with craft beers, wines and gin all available.

Families come back again and again to the Pit Stop as there really is something for everyone – and it’s impossible not to be wowed by the table built inside a real VW Camper van!

To cope with demand from this weekend onwards, every Saturday and Sunday coffee, cakes, shakes and sandwiches are also being served downstairs in what was the original Pit Stop diner.

The dog-friendly space is perfect for people who don’t want a full meal but still want that Jem’s experience.

But first and foremost, Jem Speed Shop is still

all about the bikes, and it’s gained a sterling reputation with thousands of bikers across the country.

Now based downstairs, the dealership does a roaring trade selling quality used machines to clients all over the country, with collectible and rare bikes from marques including Harley Davidson, Ducati, Triumph, Yamaha and Honda.

Across the showroom floor lies the intriguing cobbled street, which has been finished to an incredibly high standard.

The Barber Shop will have you looking your best, while the resident tattoo artist can provide you with custom and freehand tattoo designs and piercings in the Voodoo Tattoo studio.

And at the end of the street there is a real ale ‘pub’ with a pool table.

Jem’s Biker Village is becoming a real destination – and it’s really not just the preserve of the biker community.

Customers looking for something a bit different are flocking to Jem’s Pit Stop for a great meal and staying to browse what else is on offer, both upstairs and downstairs.

It’s a truly unique experience, make sure you don’t miss out!

www.jemspeedshop.co.uk unit 3, brookroyd mill, bradford road, batley, wf17 8nd (next to batley park) Tel: 01924 359938

14

ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

Ramblers’ corner FORTHCOMING walks with the North Kirklees Group of the Ramblers – non-members are always welcome. Please call the walk leader for more details.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 ADDINGFORD STEPS Meet at 11am at St Peter’s Church, Horbury (WF4 6AS, SE294184) 4.5 miles – moderate Contact: Jim 01924 469700 janderegan@hotmail.co.uk

SATURDAY JANUARY 19 A FEW NEW PATHS Meet at 10.30am at Moorland Road above Drighlington Library.

6.5 miles – moderate Contact: Norma 01274 685343 or 07951 413012

Art in Barn as Hall closes BIRSTALL’S historic Oakwell Hall is closed for spring cleaning and will reopen on Saturday February 16.

The country park, on Nutter Lane, remains open as usual, and Oakwell’s annual ‘Art in the Barn’ exhibition and sale gets underway tomorrow (Sat).

The display runs until Sunday February 3, and is then followed by a photography and craft exhibition from February 9 until March 3.

And there’s still time to book a place to show off your art, photography and craft skills.

Jennie Hawes, assistant heritage manager at Oakwell Hall, explained: “The added bonus is that exhibitors don’t have to man stalls. They hire a display space and leave the rest to us.”

Both exhibitions are being staged in the Visitor Centre Barn, next to the car park at the top of Nova Lane.

Art in the Barn exhibits so far include watercolours, oils, pastels and giclée prints.

Jewellery and textiles will be among items featured in the photography and craft exhibition.

The exhibitions will be open to the public between 11am and 4pm Wednesdays to Sundays during their run periods. Both are closed Monday and Tuesday.

Anyone interested in booking a display space, in either event, should contact Jennie Hawes on 01924 324761 or email jennie.hawes@kirklees.gov.uk.

Banish the January blues with Cinderella CARLINGHOW Theatre Company are starting their 95th anniversary year off by presenting the fairytale pantomime Cinderella at Batley Town Hall this weekend.

Featuring a host of hilarious characters, fantastic songs and gorgeous costumes, Cinderella promises to banish those January blues with fun, laughter and extra

An abiding memory SPEN VALLEY Historical Society’s next meeting is on Wednesday February 13, 2019, when John Lyte will give a talk on the hymn Abide With Me, by Henry Francis Lyte.

Meetings are held in the Catholic Church Parish Hall on Dewsbury Road, Cleckheaton, starting at 7.30pm, with refreshments served from 7.15pm.

The cost is £2 per meeting for members, £4 for guests and membership is £10 per year. For more information email scooper@thecoopersonline.org.uk.

and also at 2.15pm on Saturday and Sunday.

To book, call 07774 128533 or buy online at kirklees.gov.uk/town halls.

Half a century of sparkling fun WORK continues apace at Collegian House, where Dewsbury Collegians prepare to celebrate 50 years of pantomime in the town.

Brilliant costumes are being brought together, sparkling and original scenery is being built and rehearsals are in full swing for their Cinderella show.

The cast promise lots of sparkle, music, plenty of laughter and audience participation.

Dance routines from the Sutton School of Performing Arts are sure to enhance the show, which goes on at

Start with a swing START the new year with a swing at Millbridge WMC next Tuesday night, with music from Eddie Martell and the Ronnie Bottomley Quartet.

You can listen and dance to songs from the swing era and the Great American Songbook.

The music at Millbridge club, on Bennett Street in Liversedge, starts at 8.15pm and admission is £3.50 on the door.

The swing music nights continue on the third Tuesday of every month.

Call 01924 402696 for more details.

sparkles for all the family.

Tickets are priced £8-£11, with discounts for groups of 10 or more.

Performances take place at 7.15pm tonight (Fri) and tomorrow,

Poë’s insiders v outsiders ART HISTORIAN Simon Poë returns to Bagshaw Museum in Batley this weekend with another mini-series of art lectures.

This time he looks at ‘Insiders v Outsiders’ in the art world; establishment artists who played safe versus artists who raised eyebrows with their new ideas.

There are three fortnightly lectures in the series, beginning this Sunday, with the difference between smooth men (the insiders who get things done) and the hairy men (the outsiders who provide the creative energy and fruitful chaos).

The story of non-identical twins Jacob and Esau is the starting point for a wide-ranging lecture that also sets the scene for the other two lectures.

Then on Sunday, January 27, Simon talks about the Royal Academy of Arts in London –

and who was in and who was out.

He also looks at the rivalry between Sir Joshua Reynolds, the first President of the Royal Academy and the ultimate insider, and William Hogarth, an outsider whose pictures, teeming with rakes, drunks and harlots, were never going to be accepted by the Academy.

The third and final lecture on Sunday, February 10, looks at Frederic, Lord Leighton, the second great leader of the Royal Academy, and how the establishment he represented was threatened from outside by Impressionism and other newer, stranger movements.

All the lectures start at 2pm. The charge per lecture is £3.50 per person and there is no need to book.

For more information contact Bagshaw Museum on 01924 324765.

Dewsbury Town Hall from Thursday January 17 to Sunday January 20.

Performances start at 7.15pm on Thursday to Saturday Evening, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm.

The Sunday matinee is already sold out but seats are available for the other shows. Tickets are priced £10 balcony and £9 stalls (£7 concessions).

They are available from the box office on 01484 225755, book online at kirkleestownhalls.co.uk or call in to Dewsbury Town Hall for in-person sales.

ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

Head quits after only two years at the top THE HEADTEACHER of a top Kirklees school has stepped down after just two years at the helm.

Nathan Bulley’s spell as head of Heckmondwike Grammar is one of the shortest in the school’s history.

He was appointed before the start of the September term in 2016, joining from Harrogate Grammar School.

It is not yet clear why Mr Bulley resigned, but it is believed some members of staff were unhappy with his management style.

Mr Bulley, a father-of-three, wrote in a letter to parents on Monday: “It is with sadness that I have decided to step down from the post of headteacher.

“I am leaving the school at a time when it is in a strong position, financially sound and with lots to look forward to in the future.

“During my time at Heckmondwike Grammar I have been struck by the dedicated students, whose motivation to succeed and do their best is impressive.

“I have enjoyed standing on the North Street entrance as the pupils enter the school and it has been a pleasure to get to know many of them.

“Your parental support for the school is very clear in the contributions made by parents in so many ways – from the Friends of HGS to the careers provision to attend-

Nathan Bulley...

“Staff are superb in their commitment to ensure the best possible futures for the young people...”

ing performances, and so much more.

“The staff at Heckmondwike Grammar are also superb in their own commitment to ensure the best possible futures for the young people, enabling them to flourish and thrive – your children are in the safest of hands.

“It has been a privilege to work at Heckmondwike Grammar and I wish all of you the very best for the future.”

Deputy head Peter Roberts, a former student, will lead the school in the meantime.

He said: “For the last two weeks of the December term, Mr Bulley was on paid leave by agreement.

“I would like to take this opportunity to reassure parents that the school is running to its usual very high standards.”

Heckmondwike has not been fully inspected by Ofsted officials since 2007 because it regularly received outstanding reports.

Last year it was crowned the best state-funded secondary school in Kirklees, according to the Real Schools Guide.

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Friday January 11, 2019

Marketplace Turn your unwanted items

into cash £££s 1) Ring Angela on 01924 470296 (9.30am-4.30pm). Have your advert ready and you can pay by debit card (30p surcharge).

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3) Post your advert and include your name and a contact number, along with cheque for payment.

ADVERTS must be no longer than 50 words. (We cannot accept the following items: Motor vehicles, caravans, livestock. All listings will stay in Marketplace for a maximum of two months. If you wish to amend your listing, or cancel when sold, contact or call 01924 470296.

NEW Mahogany inlaid dining table, £25 ono. Tel 01924 402931. (2342) Metal tool box, red with keys. Four drawers. Full of engineering tools, £110 ono. Tel 01924 430088. (2343) Kenwood Mixer (small) with liquidiser and other tools, (£90 in Argos) sell £40 ono. Tel 01924 430088 (2343).

Mono super 140watt stick welder plus some rods, £30 ono. Tel 01924 430088.

(2343) BABY/CHILDREN’S GOODS Britax Maxi Cosi child’s car seat. Suit child 6 months to 4 years. Good condition, £6. Tel 01924 477178. (2329) DIY Cordless drill in case, includes 2 batteries and charger. Brand new, unwanted gift. £25 ono. Tel 07396 105034. (2312) ELECTRICAL Dyson DC33 Vacuum.

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01924 442711 (Batley). (2336) Unusual cast-iron Christmas tree stand, good quality with 4 strong screws for the trunk, green with green and gold reindeer and sleigh decoration, 6 1/2 “ diameter, £20. Tel 01924 274137. (2337) Ladies’ brown hiplength leather jacket

by Arma. Size 12.

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Food processor, hardly used, £12. Tel 07867 692185. (2325) MOTORING Roof rack to fit Vauxhall Astra, complete with keys. £10, Tel 01924 430088.

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ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

21

FOOTBALL

Praise for match-winner Chantler OSSETT UNITED manager Andy Welsh praised Chris Chantler after his goal decided last weekend’s closely-fought battle with Sheffield FC. It’s been a perfect start to 2019 for the club, defeating two promotion rivals in the space of five days on home soil with a 4-0 triumph over Brighouse Town and a 1-0 win against Sheffield.

Chantler was unmarked to volley in after six minutes and United held

on thereafter to take the three points, and the manager was delighted to see the midfielder, who once played for Manchester City in the Europa League at Juventus, get the winning goal.

“We mentioned that Tuesday’s game against Brighouse wouldn’t have mattered if we didn’t pick up a result here today,” said Welsh.

“I think we wanted it more in the first 15 minutes, and I’m delighted for Chris Chantler because he’s

GOAL: Chris Chantler (right) celebrates

probably a player that goes unnoticed at times, in terms of the positions that he plays for us.

“He played a little bit of a different position for us (last weekend) and it was him who ended up getting the goal that got us the win.

“Once again it’s every single player who entered the field. Tom Corner’s gone off with a really bad cut to his eye, but he came on for 15 minutes and really affected the game for us.

“Likewise Marko (Basic) did and Adam Porritt did, and that’s what it’s going to be from now to the end

of the season. If you want to play in the team, and (whether) you’re on the bench or if you’re starting games, you’ve got to work to be in this squad.”

It was a stop-start game and Welsh admits that the referee didn’t have the best game, but he was pleased with how his players responded.

“If I’m honest, I had a chat with the referee before the game and he’s one of the best referees I’ve come across at this level, but I didn’t think he had the greatest of games,” he said.

“But everyone’s allowed an off day, and probably the biggest thing for me is that although the ref didn’t have a great day we dealt with that and got the result we needed.”

United now sit just two points off the play-offs in eighth place, and travel to Lincoln United tomorrow (Saturday) looking to continue their perfect start to the new year.

The two sides are level on points in the Evo-Stik East Division table with Ossett ahead only on goal difference. Lincoln came out on top when they visited Ingfield in October’s reverse, winning 1-0.

United grind out tough win over rivals Evo-Stik East Division

OSSETT UNITED SHEFFIELD FC

OSSETT UNITED made it two wins on the bounce with a hard-fought victory over fellow play-off chasers Sheffield FC. It failed to quite live up to the excitement of their 4-0 thrashing of Brighouse Town on New Year’s Day, but Chris Chantler’s early goal secured an equally important three points to continue their impressive start to 2019.

United were looking to make up for a 3-0 defeat in this fixture earlier in the season, and made the best possible start to this one against the world’s oldest football club.

Both goalkeepers were called into action in the opening minutes, with Tom Greaves failing to convert for United and ex-Sheffield goalkeeper Brett Souter doing well to keep out Rob Darkin’s volley.

The match was to become increasingly tempestuous and stop-start, but the home side were able to do the business early when Sheffield gave too much room for Shiraz Khan

RACING PREVIEW WITH MIKE SMITH

Side with Maltaix, Darling...

HERE’S a good card at Kempton where the main betting race of the weekend is the Listed Lanzarote Hurdle, named in honour of the 1974 Champion Hurdle winner.

Carrigill’s started the year with another winner last weekend when Elixir De Nutz won the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown for Colin Tizzard, and they are siding with another second favourite this week in DARLING MALTAIX. He’s been frustrating to follow over hurdles but finally got off the mark when stepped up in trip at Ascot last time out.

He has a tendency to pull too hard, but if Lorcan Williams can give him another well-timed ride he’s well capable of defying a 12lb rise.

Harry Derham, assistant to trainer Paul Nicholls, said: “Darling Maltaix is in A1 shape.

“He’s been trained for the race since Ascot.It will be different conditions on Saturday – it was a stiffer track and softer ground at Ascot but we’re hopeful.”

But he will have to overcome KLOUD GATE for the Gary Moore team who is on for a hat trick in the Lanzarote.

Although he’s already risen 19lb in the handicap for a couple if easy wins this term, Jamie Moore’s mount still looks well treated on his Flat form and Carrigill’s have shortened him from 6s to Burlington Bertie (100/30) after seeing strong early support.

Two bigger priced outsiders worth a look are MR ANTOLINI, who has a big handicap run in him off a mark of

T

140, and NEW QUAY. Dan Skelton has spoken highly of this horse in the past, and it’s worth noting that DARLING MALTAIX finished behind him when he won at Ascot and the 12/1 on offer begs an each way wager.

The Listed chase at 2.05 has attracted some really nice types including Yorkshire raider WAITING PATIENTLY, whose much anticipated return to action in the King George did not go to plan when badly hampered by Bristol de Mai’s fall a circuit from home.

Ruth Jefferson’s charge won his first six starts over fences and easily won this race 12 months ago, but may need more juice in the ground

and the in form CHARBEL could ensure the wait goes on for Patiently followers.

Jefferson said: “We’ve put him in the listed race on Saturday, but it all depends on the ground. There is a bit of rain forecast, but a bit of rain might not be enough. He’s fit and ready to go and we have had no issues since the King George.”

Kim Bailey’s CHARBEL has been in the form of his life, having beaten the talented duo of Baron Alco and God’s Own before delivering a career best performance in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last month and may be the way to go.

Old stager VALDEZ can turn back the clock for Alan King on the Kempton card.

He was off the course for three and a half years after falling at Chepstow back in 2014 but ran an encouraging fourth at Ascot just before Christmas when he looked to relish the step up to this 2m4f trip.

On the flat COMPASS SCOOBIE can register a third win in his last four starts in the 6f handicap at Lingfield tomorrow (Saturday).

Now with Stuart Williams who bought him out of Roger Varian’s yard last year, he goes well fresh and should cope with his 3lb higher mark.

CARRIGILL’S NAP: (money back as a free bet if finishes outside top 4): DARLING MALTAIX Saturday Kempton 2.40.

AUGUR’S BEST BET: COMPASS COOBIE Saturday Lingfield 1.25.

HOLDING ON: Sheffield FC look to test United goalkeeper Brett Souter PHOTOS: John Hirst

1 0

to cross and Chantler to subsequently smash in a volley for a sixth-minute lead.

Chances were at a minimum for the visitors as United frustrated their opponents. The best came when a great strike from Mitchell Dunne flew past the motionless Souter and hit the post, while the goalkeeper was able to do more to keeper out a poor effort from Darkin on the half hour mark.

Sheffield remained on the front foot after the half-time break, but they failed to test Souter at all in the 45 minutes.

The best chance to do so came when the stopper came out of his goal and failed to claim the ball, with Dunne winning it and finding James Gregory only for the resulting shot to be placed over the crossbar.

In the final minutes of the game there was a serious injury to Sheffield substitute Matty Downing, who had to be stretchered off after receiving lengthy treatment on the pitch.

That resulted in nine minutes of added time, but the now 10-man visitors couldn’t create a chance as Ossett held on for maximum points.

Liversedge keep clear of trouble with point NCEL Premier Division

LIVERSEDGE FC ALBION SPORTS

0 0

LIVERSEDGE remain 10 points clear of the relegation zone after a goalless draw against Albion Sports.

Both sides came into the fixture level on points in the table, and they couldn’t be separated in 90 minutes at Clayborn either as both took a share of the spoils.

A recent upturn in form has seen any immediate relegation worries eased for Liversedge, with a run of 13 matches without a win followed by 10 points from six games.

A tough fixture now lies in wait for Sedge tomorrow (Saturday), as they host third-placed Hemsworth Miners Welfare.

When they travelled to the Fitzwilliam-based club back in September, they were on

REVIVAL: Jonathan Rimmington’s side are 10 points above the drop the losing end of a thriller as they pulled back from 4-0 down to eventually lose 4-3.

HEAVY WOOLLEN FOOTBALL

Ramsden nets five for Rovers ROBERTTOWN ROVERS climbed to fourth place in the Heavy Woollen Sunday League Premier Division after Tom Ramsden bagged five goals in an 8-1 win over bottom side Cock of the North last week.

Scott Lightowler (two) and Blake Maude hit the others as Rovers moved to within five points from the top.

Shaun McDaid fired a hattrick and James Blaime hit a brace as AFC Chickenley moved up to fifth spot with a 53 win at home to Wellington Westgate, who replied through a Dale Myers double and a strike from Tylan Rowe.

Birstall Cricket Club are the new leaders

of the Championship after they won a hardfought game 3-2 at Overthorpe Sports Club.

Elliot Williams, Gary Foley and Johnny Beverley netted for Birstall with Jack Angus and Danny Marshall replying for the hosts.

Snowdon are two points behind after they won 3-0 at home against Clifton Rangers Reserves.

Ravenswharfe lie fourth after they had Sam Hewitt (two), Steve Smith and Ben Smith on target in a 4-2 win at St Ignatius, who replied through a San Duffy brace.

Umar Ahmed and Muhammad Navsarka both scored as Inter Batley drew 22 with Wire Works.

22

ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE

Unfinished business for Ratcliffe Thornhill Trojans are back in the NCL Premier Division after a decade away, but the man who has led their revival back to the top, James Ratcliffe, is setting his sights higher still this season...

T’S BEEN a long road back for Thornhill Trojans, but they have finally returned to the top.

Relegated from the Premier Division a decade ago and forced to withdraw from the NCL altogether in 2010, the club has had to rebuild from the bottom in a bid to return to former glory.

After a Conference return and three promotions in four years, they are now back in the top tier and ready to compete against the very best in amateur rugby league.

James Ratcliffe is the man that has led the revival of the Trojans as head coach, and he has made no secret in the past of his desire to make the side the best in the amateur game.

They will have the chance to earn that status in 2019 as, following their Division One title triumph last season, they will compete against the cream of the crop once again, and Ratcliffe says it is a challenge that everyone is excited about.

“Obviously it’s a brand new challenge for us but it’s a challenge that we’re looking forward to for sure,” the coach said. “We are capable of making that transition from the middle division to the top division.

“There’s no reason why we can’t adapt. We’ve been in earlier in regards to training and everything and we’ve been in that division before, so we do know what is expected of us.

“The numbers have been really good (in training). We’ve changed it up a bit from last year, we’ve been in earlier and thrown some weekend sessions in, so all the lads have bought into it and they’re all hoping to give it a really good shot.”

If they want to be the top amateur

I

TOP AWARD: James Ratcliffe was named NCL Division One Coach of the Year in 2018 side then it is clear who has the target on their backs, after Hunslet Club Parkside completed a historic unbeaten campaign to win the Premier Division title.

Both clubs have enjoyed a similar rise through the NCL ranks. Both re-entered the competition in 2015, gaining immediate promotion out of the bottom tier, but while Parkside have skipped through each division at the first time of asking the Trojans have since followed a year behind after two seasons in Division Two. Thornhill came out on top when the teams last met though, winning 22-20 at Overthorpe Park in 2016, and Parkside have only tasted league defeat once in the two-and-ahalf years since.

Fate has given the two clubs an

early reunion, as they will meet on January 26 in the first round of the Challenge Cup, and Ratcliffe is looking forward to their first game of 2019.

“It’s a great challenge for us; it’s a challenge we’re all up for,” he said.

“It gives us a starting point as to where we are. It’ll either give us a big shock or actually make us realise we are good enough for this division.

“We’ve never had a game which has been more than 10-15 points between us, and I’m sure they’re as wary of playing us as we are of them.”

Nephew Danny Ratcliffe is the star of a talented squad, with the scrum-half winning the NCL Division One Player of the Year award last season alongside James’s

coaching prize.

The Trojans boss admits that he is “pivotal” to the side but says that there are plenty of other players who deserve to get just as much recognition.

“He’s a go-to player and that’s why he rightly won the division’s Player of the Year, but there are lot of other good players who do a lot of work before Danny actually puts his mark on it,” he said.

“There’s a lot of work that doesn’t get seen by other people, and more than anything that’s the team ethos, it’s what we work on rather than individuals.”

There are undoubtedly some top individuals in the team collective though, and Ratcliffe knows that it is crucial to keep bringing new talent through into the open age team if the Trojans want to remain at the top level.

Among the latest looking to make their mark are two players who picked up Yorkshire representative caps over the autumn, with Liam Morley and Brad Llewellyn playing for the county Under 19s and Under 17s sides respectively as well as making an impact for the Thornhill open age team last season.

“That’s obviously key to us and it’s keeping us going, keeping the continuity as some of the lads are coming to the back end of their career,” said Ratcliffe.

“They might only have two or three seasons left so we’ve got to make sure that we keep putting new lads in, as and when it’s deemed right.”

He believes that there is still plenty of improvement in current first team players as well though, as they look to push on at a higher level this term.

“The attitude is completely different to last year, the actual application that they’ve brought in, I think you’ll see a lot of improvement from a lot of players.”

The club’s efforts off the field have also received recognition, with the Trojans awarded the Media of the Year prize at last year’s NCL awards.

“The key has been off the field really,” Ratcliffe said. “We’ve got to be a club that is accessible to everybody and rightly so we won the media award. We put a lot of effort into it, and I think you’ll see an improvement in that again this year hopefully.”

As for himself, Ratcliffe admits that “everybody has a span” but wants to keep going for a little while longer still.

“I don’t think (the end) is just yet.

It won’t be this year, I’ve got a lot of unfinished business to do up there,” he declared.

“But there are two or three lads within the club who are more than capable of making the step up in the not too distant future, so it’s certainly something that’ll be happening in the next two or three seasons.”

Eventually things will move on and Ratcliffe is looking forward to spending his free time doing something a little bit different: beekeeping.

He explained: “It’s going to be a little hobby that I take up when I retire. It’s something that is quite therapeutic and it’s something I’ve always fancied doing really.”

That remains on hold for now though as, having taken the Trojans back from the Pennine League to the Premier Division, there is still much more to be achieved.

RUGBY UNION

Cleck fall short against league leaders North One East

CLECKHEATON RUFC 19 SCARBOROUGH 29 CLECKHEATON suffered a losing start to 2019 as they were defeated at home to table-toppers Scarborough.

The visitors showed their credentials and deserved their victory on the day, but Cleckheaton battled all the way and had a resurgent last 10 minutes, providing coach Thiu Barnard with some positives from a game that, with better ball retention, could have had a different outcome.

It was the first time that Scarborough had been welcomed to Moorend for a league game in two decades, and Cleck were hoping to continue a run which had seen them win three games on the bounce in the run-up to Christmas.

They made two changes to the team from the last game of 2018, a derby victory at Bradford & Bingley, with Joey Carley returning in place of player-coach Barnard and Brad Marsden

returning to lock in place of Matt Wood, who with Josh Clough replaced Ben Etchells and Will Denham on the bench.

Cleckheaton made a bright start and after three minutes a Scarborough player gave his opinion to referee Andy Baker and was duly penalised, with Dale Breakwell kicking the goal from 35 metres to give Cleck a 3-0 lead.

The lead didn’t last long though as Jack Bickerdike and Jack Seddon made a mess of a pick up from a scrum and with quick hands to the right, Scarborough full-back Perrett strolled across to score a try to put his side 5-3 in front.

Breakwell restored the lead with another penalty on 23 minutes after the visitors were caught offside.

On 32 minutes Cleck won a penalty in their own 22, but a bit of backchat saw the decision reversed and again with excellent hands and line speed down the blind side, Scarborough number eight Ben Martin went into a gap for a try. The conversion was missed again and the score

MAN OF THE MATCH: Mike Swetman charges out of defence for PHOTO: Gerald Christian Cleckheaton in their defeat to Scarborough moved on to 6-10.

A fine cross kick by Breakwell put winger Danny Booth into space but he slipped trying to cut inside his man and a good chance was lost for the hosts. Mike Swetman made some telling breaks as half-time approached, but the Scarborough defence was able to scramble and snuff

out the threat.

Cleckheaton also didn’t help themselves by needlessly kicking away possession on several occasions.

Scarborough flanker Govier was sent to the sin bin with 39 minutes played, but at half-time they remained four points in front.

The visitors were reduced to 13 men after another sin

bin early in the second half, and Cleckheaton really should have capitalised.

Scarborough’s defence was top drawer but Cleckheaton helped them by not playing with enough patience.

On 50 minutes, with Cleck applying pressure on the Scarborough line, Josh Plunkett could not keep hold of a pass that was rocketed towards him and the ball came loose in a crunching tackle. The kick ahead went to hand and Perret crossed again for a long-range try, converted by Young. The visitors’ lead was now 6-17.

Cleck had a lot of possession in good field position but they couldn’t get the scoreboard moving, and on 68 minutes Scarborough got their bonus point try after another length-of-the-field effort by scrum-half Wakenham.

Barnard rang the changes and brought Ben Dearing, Wood and Josh Clough into play, with James Wilson switching to scrum-half in place of Bickerdike.

Breakwell got his third penalty goal of the game with 10 minutes remaining and

when some quick thinking by Cleckheaton’s man of the match Swetman saw Hayward into space to cross on the left for his 10th try of the season on 76 minutes, a bonus point was still possible.

However, Scarborough ended that idea with a fifth try of the game by Govier after a counter attack from deep went awry, the ball was lost and the flanker scored under the posts converted by Young.

There was still time left for Cleckheaton to add another score and Booth crossed for his sixth try since joining the club, although the conversion from the touchline went wide.

The score was now 19-29 and any points in the dying minutes from Cleck would have put them into losing bonus point territory, but time wasn’t on their side and the referee blew the final whistle.

They will look to return to winning ways tomorrow (Saturday, 2.15pm) when they again host visitors from the East Coast in the form of Bridlington.

ThePress

Friday January 11, 2019

23

RUGBY LEAGUE

Dewsbury into Cup semi-finals Yorkshire Cup

DEWSBURY RAMS

20

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS

14

Stephen Ibbetson at Tetley’s Stadium DEWSBURY RAMS earned their first win under new coach Lee Greenwood by seeing off Featherstone Rovers to progress to the semi-finals of the Yorkshire Cup. This match formed the second part of a double header at the Tetley’s Stadium, with the Rams following York City Knights in progressing to the next round of the resurrected competition.

Only on the final whistle was victory secure, and it is testament to the competitive nature of the Cup that fans were able to witness such a compelling finale to a pre-season fixture.

It took 10 minutes for the first try of the match to come, and it happened in fortunate circumstances as a grubber

by Rams’ captain Paul Sykes was spilled by the Rovers defence and Alex Brown was found out wide to touch down, with Sykes adding the extras.

Both sides were producing errors in the middle of the park in typical preseason style, but eventually the Rams began to assert their authority on an inexperienced Featherstone side playing a number of trialists and reserve players.

Their second try came after more good work from Sykes in toying with the defence, with Cameron Leeming passing straight to Lucas Walshaw to

MATCH STATS BATLEY BULLDOGS: Dave Scott 8 Wayne Reittie 7 Sam Wood 8 Keenen Tomlinson 7 Johnny Campbell 6 Louis Jouffret 8 Dom Brambani 6 Tyler Dickinson 6 Alistair Leak 7 Toby Everett 6 Dane Manning 7 Jack Downs 6 Joe Taira 4 Subs: James Brown 6 Adam Gledhill 7 Sam Smeaton 6 Michael Ward 6 Paul Brearley 7 Callum Ogden 6 Archie Bruce 7 Tries: Wood (17, 24), Brown (21), Jouffret (30), Gledhill (36), Brearley (66), Tomlinson (70).

Goals: Scott 4/7.

HUNSLET James Watson Gareth Potts Nathan Chappell Ben Heaton Dale Bloomfield Reece Dean Danny Nicklas Richard Moore Ryan Wright Michael Haley Nyle Flynn Duane Straugheir Michael Emmett Subs: Daniel Hawksworth Jack Lee Joe Sanderson Cain Southernwood Marcus Webb Tries: None. Goals: None.

Referee: C Worsley Half-time: 26-0 Penalties: 16-6 Sin Bin: Duane Straugheir (30, dissent) Sent Off: Richard Moore (10, fighting), Joe Taira (10, fighting) Man of the match: Sam Wood (Batley) Attendance: 3,341

7 6 7 7 5 6 5 4 5 6 6 5 6 6 6 6 6 6

his right to go over on the next play for a 10-0 lead.

Dewsbury were playing with speed and confidence on the ball, but were pegged back out of the blue when Morgan Punchard placed a kick in behind the defence and Josh Walters was the quickest to react, touching down to make it 10-4 going into the break.

Featherstone, coached by their reserves and Shaw Cross Sharks boss Paul March while new head coach Ryan Carr awaits his visa, had struggled to force the initiative in the first half but came out rejuvenated in the second period.

Twice they had tries chalked off, with the first coming 10 minutes into the half. Dewsbury did well to keep out Macauley Hallett after impressive offloads by James Harrison and John Davies, and when Davies then kicked the other way a defender spilled the ball and Kieran Hartley touched down, only for the referee to rule a knock on over the line.

Robbie Ward was sent to the sin bin soon after for a dangerous tackle, and Featherstone immediately took advantage with Jordan Tansey spraying a cut-out pass to James McDaniel and the winger leaping over his opposing number to touch down in the corner. Fullback Tansey managed to steer the touchline conversion in with the help of the post to level the scores.

A break from Punchard and Daniel Waite-Pullen almost brought more joy for Rovers, before the referee once again intervened in Dewsbury’s favour.

OFF THE MARK: The win was the first of Lee Greenwood’s tenure at the club The ball was passed left to Tansey who cut back inside and round the defender to cross, but the try was ruled out for an obstruction.

Instead it was the Rams who pushed their way back in front, and the try came from one of their most impressive players as Sykes slipped the pass for Jordan Andrade to bulldoze his way over the line.

The match was far from over though as Fev returned in kind and, after forcing consecutive goal-line drop outs, the ball was moved left for Hallett, who is on trial with Rovers after leaving

Dewsbury at the end of last season, to go through and score. Tansey could have levelled with a tough conversion, but he scuffed it well wide of the target.

The Rams were able to establish some breathing space with a few minutes left on the clock, as Simon Brown’s kick in behind was impressively taken and touched down by winger Tom Halliday.

Sykes couldn’t secure the win with the conversion, but the defence saw out the remaining minutes with Hartley held up over the line before the final whistle was blown.

Early red cards no issue as Batley enjoy seven-try rout Yorkshire Cup

BATLEY BULLDOGS 36 HUNSLET 0 Stephen Ibbetson at Provident Stadium BATLEY BULLDOGS secured their place in the Yorkshire Cup semi-finals with a comfortable victory over League One side Hunslet at Odsal.

The win, which is an eighth in a row in all competitions in a run spanning back to midAugust last year, was never in doubt after three tries in the space of seven minutes in the first half put Batley well in control of the game.

That came after both sides saw a man red carded after just 10 minutes, with Joe Taira

and Richard Moore, who are both new additions for their respective clubs, both sent packing after brawling in what was often a tempestuous game.

Batley made just one change to the 20-man line-up that defeated Dewsbury Rams on Boxing Day, with winger Wayne Reittie coming in for his first game of pre-season in place of the injured Alex Bretherton.

The early dismissals changed the tempo of the game and it was the 12 men of Batley who put together the best passages of play, taking advantage of indiscipline from Hunslet at key points to open up a healthy advantage.

The first try came from a penalty close to the Hunslet line, with the ball sent to the

right and Sam Wood, on loan with the Bulldogs from Huddersfield Giants for the season, going through a gap in the defence to score.

Four minutes later they were over the whitewash again as a short pass from Alistair Leak sent James Brown crashing over from close range, and Dave Scott scored his first conversion of the game to make it 10-0.

Hunslet continued to feel the pressure and again gave away a penalty, which Batley clinically punished them for as a slick move to the right edge finished with Scott slipping Wood over for his second try in seven minutes.

Duane Straugheir was sent to the sin bin by the referee on the half-hour mark for kicking

the ball away, and Batley were able to take advantage of even more open space in the Hunslet defence with two more tries to take an unassailable lead into the interval.

The first came in the following set, with the ball moved left and Keenen Tomlinson passing outside him to the overlapping Louis Jouffret.

The Frenchman was able to touch down close to the posts to give Scott an easier conversion attempt, from which he extended the score to 20-0.

Another penalty led to the fifth and final try of the first half, as Adam Gledhill this time charged through the decimated Hunslet defence to touch down under the posts and earn his side a 26-0 halftime advantage.

Rams ready to rumble with new facilities DEWSBURY RAMS have further improved their facilities with the opening of a new gym and wrestle room at the Tetley’s Stadium.

Volunteers at the club have worked hard to get the two rooms ready for the 2019 season, giving the squad greater resources to prepare.

Chairman Mark Sawyer said the facilities have been added thanks to the bequeathed money from lifelong Dewsbury supporter Christine Gooder.

Coach Lee Greenwood said that plans for the gym had already been in place when he arrived at the club, while he believes sessions in the new wrestle room will be increasingly important.

“Every team and every coach will want to get some wrestle into their training. It’s become more prominent in the game as the years have gone by,” he said.

KEEPING FIT: The Rams’ new gym “We are so lucky that we have got our own facility here, that we can transform rooms and there is space around the stadium to do things. Other clubs have to hire places out if they want to do that which may give them an obstacle and excuse

not to do it.”

He added: “I have coached and played at this level and know that you end up dropping things going to two or three different venues. We are fortunate now that we have got everything on site and can do it all at the same time.

“The volume of things the lads are doing will be different to other clubs and that’s purely down to the facilities we have.”

Greenwood praised the club’s volunteers for their hard work in preparing the new facilities.

“They are unbelievable the volunteers; every club needs them especially below Super League level,” he said.

“From what I’ve seen this army of volunteers come three times a week to do actual jobs around the stadium which is fantastic. They are happy to

MATCH STATS DEWSBURY RAMS: Jacob Thomas 7 Dale Morton 8 Cameron Leeming 7 Daniel Igbinedion 6 Alex Brown 6 Paul Sykes 8 Simon Brown 6 Owen Harrison 8 Robbie Ward 6 Matt Nicholson 5 Lucas Walshaw 7 Michael Knowles 7 Kyle Trout 7 Subs: Tom Halliday 5 Jack Ray 6 Daniel Halmshaw 7 Jordan Andrade 8 Liam Mackay 6 Tom Garratt 6 Jack Richardson 6 Tries: Brown (9), Walshaw (22), Andrade (63), Halliday (75).

Goals: Sykes 2/4.

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS: Jordan Tansey 6 James McDaniel 6 Macauley Hallett 6 Josh Walters 8 Kieran Hartley 6 Jorge Richardson 5 Morgan Punchard 5 Luke Cooper 6 Daniel Maskill 7 Jack Ormondroyd 6 Brad Day 6 Daniel Waite-Pullen 7 James Lockwood 5 Subs: John Davies 7 Spencer Darley 6 James Harrison 7 Brandan French 6 James Beckett 6 Sam Hawkins 6 Tries: Walters (35), McDaniel (54), Hallett (71).

Goals: Tansey 1/3.

Referee: J McMullen Half-time: 10-4 Penalties: 6-9 Sin Bin: Robbie Ward (53, dangerous tackle) Man of the match: Jordan Andrade (Dewsbury) Attendance: 1,504

With the line-ups evened out again at 12-a-side Hunslet regained a foothold in the contest as the Bulldogs dropped off, but the closest they ever came to registering on the scoreboard was when centre Nathan Chappell was held up over the line.

It took until the 66th minute for another point to be scored as Batley finally added to their total thanks to trialist Paul Brearley, who ran a good line to burst through the defence and notch his first try for the club.

The final score of the game came four minutes later, with a powerful run seeing Tomlinson go over in the left corner and Scott adding his fourth goal of the afternoon to seal a 36-0 triumph.

give anything a go and they are doing really good jobs, not just odd jobs.

“Whether it’s fixing white boards up where you want them, or putting mats in a room they are doing a really good job of it.”

Meanwhile, the club have also set up a crowdfunding page to help raise money for new changing rooms to complement their 3G pitches.

The club say that they want their facilities to “become the very heart of the sporting scene within Dewsbury and the surrounding area”.

They added: “We already have a lot of people interested in the use of our 3G pitches and the addition of the changing rooms would allow us to widen accessibility for potential new user groups, allow us to provide children and young people with their own changing and toilet facilities and generally provide a quality customer experience.”

Their target is to raise at least £7,500. The link to donate can be found on the Dewsbury Rams website.

2019 brochure now available

01924 477230 www.stationcoaches.co.uk www.daytripsbycoach.co.uk

Plenty of positives ahead of Bulls test

By Stephen Ibbetson Sports Reporter sport@thepressnews.co.uk

DEWSBURY RAMS coach Lee Greenwood says there were more positives than negatives to take out of his first win as boss.

They beat fellow Championship side Featherstone Rovers in the first round of the Yorkshire Cup last weekend, and take on Bradford Bulls tomorrow (Saturday) at Odsal for a place in the final.

With the new coach still getting a feel for his largely inexperienced squad, he is pleased to have two more ties against Championship opposition guaranteed to complete their pre-season programme.

“That’s what I want because a lot of these lads haven’t played against Championship teams before,” Greenwood said.

“We’ve got lads coming out of academies who haven’t played any blokes’ rugby, you’ve got lads coming out of amateur who haven’t played professional rugby before, and you’ve got lads from League One. “You’re seeing it. It was never going to be pretty in the first two friendlies; there’s a lot of scratchy stuff as they’re still getting used to it. It’s a bit of a shock to them, and the only way they get that is by playing against Championship opposition.”

There were plenty of positive signs for the Rams as they followed a narrow derby defeat to Batley Bulldogs on Boxing Day with last Saturday’s 20-14 victory over Featherstone, and Greenwood says that that the two games were a “mirror image” of each other.

“There we got better as we went along and (against Fev) I thought we were alright in the first half, and then it was a poor start to the second half which carried on.

“I suppose (after) losing a man (Robbie Ward) to the sin bin, and then the amount of defending we had to do, we’ve probably done

DEFEAT: Ryan Piercy gets stuck in a Scarborough sandwich as Cleckheaton went down 29-19 to the league leaders at PHOTO: Gerald Christian Moorend last weekend quite well to win that to be fair.

“But again there’s food for thought, some lads have done themselves plenty of favours heading towards the season, and others weren’t quite at the races or ready for this level yet.

“That’s what I knew was going to happen anyway, similar to Boxing Day, so there’s some work to do with people.

“At any point there were probably six or seven lads either playing their first game for ages or playing their first game at this level, so you’re always going to be scrappy.

“I’m not too concerned with some of the not-so-good stuff, and we’ve done well to win there because Featherstone are still a Championship team and we’ve beaten them.”

The Yorkshire Cup format helped produce a dramatic end to the contest, but Greenwood says that every player wants to win regardless of the competition.

“I’ve played in plenty of friendlies myself and you want to win, so even if there wasn’t anything to play for you still want to win.

“You want to be in that hat tomorrow when they draw it, you still want to put your wins

together, and obviously there is a trophy at stake, so I’m sure the fans will have enjoyed that we’ve won and we’re through to the semi-finals.

“Everyone’s playing three games anyway, so you might as well have a crack at winning all three rather than losing all three.

“But the big picture is we’re gearing up for when the season starts, so within that there were what might look to a neutral as random decisions, people swapping sides and coming off, not coming back on, playing 40 minutes here and there, but that was all part of the plan.”

The Rams registered four tries and came up with some strong defence when required, and Greenwood acknowledged the good signs from his sides at both ends of the pitch.

“The defence was good,” he said. “I was disappointed with a couple of tries in the second half, but I thought in the first half we defended really well on our line.

“In the second half we looked a little bit loose out on our right, so there are areas to work on but it’s always better to have areas to work on after a win.”

He added: “What I liked was

Rams sign Mackay LOOSE FORWARD Liam Mackay has secured a deal with Dewsbury Rams for 2019.

Mackay appeared in the Yorkshire Cup victory over Featherstone Rovers last weekend, after which the club announced that the 28-year-old has signed a deal to join Lee Greenwood’s side this season.

He brings a wealth of experience from his time at Hunslet to a new-look Dewsbury squad, of which he is the 18th fresh addition of the off-season.

“I have been playing at Hunslet for the

last five or six years and I got the call off Lee to come here, so I jumped at the chance to test myself in the Championship,” he said.

“I played a couple of games at this level in 2012 and also when Hunslet got promoted in 2014, however I think this is the right time again to test myself in the Championship.

“It is a good progression path for me, and to come to a club like Dewsbury with a lot of tradition and history will be a good club to be at.”

NEW SIGNING: Liam Mackay

that when we did get put under pressure and had a lot of defending to do, we came through it stronger and actually managed to score a nice little try in the far corner.”

However, he was most pleased with the try scored in the second half by Jordan Andrade, one of the standout individuals for the Rams.

“I liked Jordan’s, because it was the first time we put an organised set together without making it up as we went along,” he said. “We organised throughout the set and finished with an organised play to score the try as well, so it looked quite good.

“We’ve got some big boys in there and they’re quite hard to defend against when they put it together (and they are) organised.

“I always knew that Jordan was good enough ball in hand to cause problems, and he’s proven that in the first two friendlies.

They are only friendlies though, and let’s not think that other teams aren’t swapping and changing as well, so there’s still a long way to go but it’s a promising start.”

Dewsbury now look ahead to tomorrw’s semi-final clash at Bradford (kick-off 5.30pm), who impressively defeated Halifax last weekend to reach this stage of the competition.

With no fresh injury worries to report, Greenwood will look to balance the need to give the rest of his squad a chance with the desire to build a winning run.

He said: “Some of the guys who have played in two friendlies now might get a breather, but then now we’ve won this one we want to get a bit of momentum going and we want to win the next one as well.

“We’ll put a team out and go into it to win it.”

Diskin: Don’t stop the biff!

BATLEY BULLDOGS head coach Matt Diskin has called for the game to take a lighter approach to clashes between players after two early red cards in their game last Sunday.

They ran out 36-0 winners over Hunslet at Odsal to reach the Yorkshire Cup semifinals, but both sides played 70 minutes with 12 men after Richard Moore and Batley’s Joe Taira were dismissed.

In a frequently heated game, their bout of fisticuffs in the middle of the pitch was dealt with strongly by referee Cameron Worsley, but Diskin wants to see such incidents shown a lighter touch by officials.

“You’ve got two prop forwards coming together, let them a swing a couple! We want to see a bit of that every now and again,” he said.

“Give them a yellow card, a red card spoils the game. In any fixture it spoils the game.

You’ve got two full-blooded prop forwards coming together, who doesn’t want to see them have a swing at each other every now and then?

“I do, and everybody else does. Let them have a go, get them on the bench then let them come back on. I don’t see the point of a red card, I think it spoils the game.

“It’s become a really sterilised game at the moment at all levels, which is disappointing.”

The Bulldogs were comfortable winners in the end, and their coach was most pleased at keeping the opposition scoreless.

“Defensively to come away with zero, no matter what the level of rugby you play, is really important,” said Diskin.

“I thought we defended quite comfortably all game. I thought in the first five minutes we were very good and after that it was a really scrappy game, but we did show glimpses of real class with some of the tries we scored.

“It got a bit scrappy for multiple reasons.

We made quite a few changes, usually en masse rather than filling them in like we will do in the season, because we want to give everyone a fair crack.

“The trialists put in another good show, particularly Paul Brearley who I thought was very good, a tall back rower.

“So you’re making a lot of changes and it’s hard to maintain your fluency when you’re doing that, but I thought the boys did okay and to come away with a really good defensive display is massive.”

Diskin was able to report a clean bill of health after the game, although Alex Bretherton missed the Yorkshire Cup tie and will be on the sidelines for the rest of preseason with a hamstring tear.

Batley have been drawn against newlypromoted Championship side York City Knights in this Sunday’s (January 13) semifinal.

York comfortably saw off amateur side Hunslet Club Parkside last weekend to reach this round of the competition.

The game at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium kicks off at 2pm, with tickets again priced at £15 for adults and £10 for concessions, with a £2 discount on tickets bought in advance and kids going for free.