HW legends prepare to renew derby rivalries

Francis Maloney had spells at both Dewsbury and Batley.

Batley will send a select team to Tetley’s Stadium to play the Dewsbury Legends.

A trophy will be up for grabs and Batley’s select team are set to include chairman Kevin Nicholas and general manager Paul Harrison.

The Dewsbury side will include Francis Maloney, who jointly holds the Rams record for goals in a match after landing 13 against Hunslet in March 2007.

Maloney also had a spell with the Bulldogs and after his professional career, went on to have a stint with Birstall Victoria.

Paul Shuttleworth, Patrick Howley, Brendan O’Meara and Chris Spooner are also among the Rams Legends side.

Batley hold play touch rugby sessions each Wednesday evening and look set to name some of those regular players in their team, so it should provide an intriguing clash before the main event.

There is an added Heavy Woollen theme with youngsters from Shaw Cross Sharks Under-8s and Under-9s taking on their Batley Boys counterparts.

Both sides are hoping for a bumper Good Friday crowd and the Legends game kicks off at 6pm, before the Championship derby at 7.30pm, with local boxer Gary Sykes making an appearance at half-time.

Dewsbury Legends include Paul Shuttleworth, Patrick Howley, Tim Toole, Robert Hoyle, Jeff Chappell, Chris Haigh, Brendan O’Meara, Francis Maloney, John Moore, Rob Hoyle and Chris Spooner.