We started to believe our own hype admits Bulldogs leader Handforth

They had been the quietly developing story of the season until they started believing their own growing press.

Unfashionable Batley Bulldogs, whose coach Karl Harrison famously said would submit their Super League licence bid on the back of a beer mat, had emerged as unexpected Co-op Championship leaders.

Despite a playing budget dwarfed by big-spending rivals with ambitions of joining the elite, the industrious West Yorkshire club forced themselves up to the summit.

The side that wooed the romanticists with their 2010 Northern Rail Cup success over Widnes – a first major trophy in 86 years – were now aiming higher still.

Then consecutive defeats against lowly York City Knights and Leigh Centurions swiftly reminded them of their innate vulnerability.

“We’d fallen in love with ourselves,” captain Paul Handforth told the Yorkshire Post, with the sort of blunt honesty which had under-pinned their earlier progress.

“Complacency had crept in and we’d started believing all the hype.

“We know we can beat any team in this division but, at the same time, if you make silly little errors like we have recently, any team can beat you.

“Hopefully we can’t play as poorly again but we have to be at the top of our game if we want to defeat Featherstone.”

The new leaders, the sort of illustrious club more akin to riding high, arrive at Mount Pleasant this evening seeking to further douse third-placed Batley’s fire.

Featherstone are likely to give a debut to Ben Cockayne, the fiery three-quarter who has made more than 100 Super League appearances for Hull KR before being recently released due to his latest off-field misdemeanour.

It is a perfect example of the sort of financial muscle Batley are unable to flex.

“It’s all right for some,” smiles Handforth. “We’re not in a position to sign people of that quality and we’ve just lost Alex Brown to Sale Sharks.

“But we’ve got others who will come in and take their chance like Jonny Campbell and Daz Williams.”

Brown is the muscular winger who scored the match-winning try in that fairytale finish against Widnes, a victory which not only temporarily raised Batley’s profile but also their belief.

Under the resourceful Harrison they have competed hard in 2011, the instrumental former Castleford scrum-half Handforth guiding a team which has undoubtedly punched above its weight. He insists there is no miracle formula to the basis of their success which has included wins against Super League-bound Widnes, champions Halifax and a double over Barrow.

“Money-wise, it’s probably like comparing Blackpool and Manchester United in terms of some of those teams,” said Handforth, who had a successful spell with Featherstone before moving two years ago.

“But ability-wise, we’ve put together a great squad who are hard working and, with every win, the belief just grew. Winning the Northern Rail Cup last year helped with confidence but we’ve made some changes since then.

“We set goals at the start of this year and there’s no reason why we can’t go on and achieve them.

“Featherstone will punish us if we’re off again – there’s a reason why they are top of the table – but we’ve got to be confident.

“If we look after ourselves it doesn’t matter what others do or don’t believe we can do.”

Featherstone, currently joint-top with Leigh but with a game in hand over the new Northern Rail Cup victors, will move three points clear if they continue Batley’s woe. However, Harrison’s side can move level with the leading duo if they can resurrect their own campaign and enhance prospects of eventually reaching a maiden Grand Final.

Featherstone coach Daryl Powell is set to thrust Cockayne straight into his side at centre for the televised game given Liam Welham’s move to relegation-threatened Dewsbury Rams.

The 28-year-old, who began his career with Doncaster, was unable to join another Super League club because the transfer deadline passed earlier this month but will get the chance to put himself in the shop window at Rovers, who have suffered just one league loss all season.

“Having spoken to Ben, I know he is delighted to get the opportunity to complete the season by helping our great club achieve our potential,” said Powell. “Ben is a high-quality player who provides great energy and speed to a rugby league team.

“Our outside backs needed an addition with the recent departure of Liam Welham and Ben is the type of player to add significantly to the squad,” he added.

The visitors are also further bolstered with news hooker Ben Kaye has been cleared by the RFL disciplinary of using his elbow in a game against Hunslet earlier this month.