Bulldogs will approach final without fear says Harrison

If they win the Northern Rail Cup tomorrow and lift their first major silverware since 1924, by rights the Heavy Woollen outfit could apply for a Super League licence and try to join the so-called promised land.

But coach Karl Harrison, like everyone at the famous old club, readily accepts that is not on anyone's mind, unlike some of their rivals who are desperately trying to clamber their way out of the Championship at any cost.

"Batley is what it is," he says ahead of the final against Widnes Vikings at Blackpool, their first significant showpiece since the 1952 Yorkshire Cup loss to Huddersfield.

"It's a proper rugby club run by rugby people. The fans have been there through thick and thin and love the place.

"Putting in a Super League bid would be a lovely idea but staying in this division is an achievement in itself.

"Winning the Northern Rail Cup would be fantastic and reward for the years and years of hard work put in here by the people behind the scenes.

"It might bring in some more sponsorship and revenue streams, or an extra 100 fans or so as well, but no one's thinking about Super League."

Their famous opponents at Bloomfield Road are certainly aiming for the top flight and, having won two of the last three Northern Rail Cup finals and with a squad rich with ex-Super League players, will provide a stern test.

Widnes are synonymous with success and trophies in rugby league but Harrison will remind his players, who forced their way into the final with a tremendously gutsy defensive performance over Leigh – another side with Super League ambitions – that history matters little.

"Widnes are a big, big club in this division and probably should be in Super League.," he admits.

"But it's not a Super League team. We're looking at a Championship Widnes team and it's a team we do not fear."

Although they may not be flying in the Championship, eighth-placed Batley have reached a Challenge Cup quarter-final already this season when they faced Catalans Dragons, an experience which should hold their part-time players in good stead for what is, for many, the biggest game of their careers.

Harrison, right, the former Halifax and Great Britain prop who took over at Mount Pleasant last year, says: "We've got to play the game and not the occasion.

"People in Batley are making a big deal out of it and rightly so as it's been a long time since they've been in a major final.

"As a club, we've got a very close, tight unit and a bunch of local lads playing so everybody is looking forward to Sunday. But we have to be smart and look after ourselves."

Harrison's hopes of achieving success are amplified by news that key half-backs Paul Handforth and Gareth Moore have both been passed fit for the contest. They missed Sunday's win over Barrow and had been rated as doubtful but the only problem the Bulldogs coach is now left with is who to leave out.

"It's horrible," he admits. "Someone who has played most of the games this season will have to miss this final.

"It's a tough call but someone has to make the decision and we're lucky in that we have everyone fit."

Batley's Tommy Gallagher will play and is looking to make it third time lucky tomorrow after the former Widnes star reached the National League One Grand Final in 2006 and the Arriva Trains Cup final two years earlier with Hull KR but lost on both occasions.