Heading to final from Down Under

It is 58 years since the club last appeared in a major cup final and it has clearly energised their supporters. Chairman Kevin Nicholas explained: "This is a great day for the town and I'm amazed at some of the places our fans are flying in from, including South America and the Middle East.

"Heinz Adler, a Batley fan from Switzerland, is also heading over and we've got coaches heading from London, Norfolk, Birmingham and even a few supporters from Scotland. Many of the amateur RL clubs and pubs across the area are running their own buses.

"Our friends at Marske United FC in the North East, a football club where our mascot Battler the Bulldog makes regular appearances, are also sending a coach to the final.

"It promises to be a long Bulldog convoy across the Pennines and north to Blackpool," he added."We've been selling lots of merchandise on the back of our appearance in the final and have even launched a special shirt that we will be playing in. It features the names of all those Batley players who have played in this year's Northern Rail Cup."

Tickets for the final at Bloomfield Road on Sunday, July 18 can be purchased from the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 8561113 or by visiting www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk.