York Knights will not get carried away after Batley win

The Knights were deserved 23-10 winners at Batley as they finally got off the mark in the fourth round of the competition.

But though it’s a relief to add their fist points to the board, Applegarth knows his side can’t afford to rest on their laurels when they travel to in-form Barrow on Sunday.

“It’s obviously nice to get that monkey off your back, isn’t it?” he smiled. 

“I know it’s still the early rounds of the season but hopefully that’ll settle a few nerves down, if there were any, in the playing squad. 

“I know we’ve been close in a couple of games but close isn’t good enough so it’s good to get a hard-fought win instead of getting a hard-fought loss. 

“It’s good to get that over with but we’ve got to build on it now. We’ve got another tough game coming up against Barrow, who are in good form themselves at the moment. 

“We definitely won’t be getting carried away. We know where we want to be, and we’ve got a lot of hard work in front of us.

“We don’t want to be a team that just has one good win and then another tough loss, a good win, tough loss. We need to build on that now.”

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“We’re under no illusions that it’s going to be another tough task come Sunday against a Barrow team that’s well in form. They had a great win against Bradford. 

“I think Paul [Crarey] has done a fantastic job in some of the signings that he’s got in, he’s got them to play and they’re a team that’s showing up for each other.

“They’re definitely building their game off defence. We know they’re going to be a difficult team to break down and they’ve also got some good players in attack and they’re some good stuff at teams. 

“There’s no point getting too carried away. We know it’s going to be another tough game come Sunday and it’s one we’re looking forward to.”

Applegarth has praised Paul Crarey for Barrow’s turnaround. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) Barrow currently sit third, having won three of their first four fixtures – including a fine 18-8 win against Bradford Bulls at Odsal last time out.

That’s remarkable turnaround from last season’s 11th placed finish, and the Knights boss is full of admiration for his opposite number.

“I think Paul’s done a cracking job in the team spirit, the connection they’ve got, they’re showing up for one another. Teams that show up for one another are always difficult to beat, aren’t they?

“It’s going to be a difficult ground to go to, especially at this stage of the year. 
“They’re playing some good stuff; they’re also working really hard in defence. They’re in a well-deserved position in the league. 

“It’s fair to say that they’re one of the form teams going into this game, so we’ve got to make sure that we match where we need to be and it’s just got all the makings for a good Championship game, hasn’t it?”

Brad Walker’s last-gasp drop-goal saw Barrow win this fixture 15-14 last April. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) Barrow have threats across the pitch, not least from flyer Tee Ritson and half-back Brad Walker, who scored the decisive drop-goal for the Cumbrians in this fixture last time out.

“I expect it to be an all over the field game, if I’m honest with you,” Applegarth admitted.

“I think Barrow’s got some danger players throughout. They’ve obviously got Ritson from St Helens on loan as well, he’s got some gas about him. 

“We’re under no illusions that it’s going to be a very difficult game throughout the middle and on the edges. 

“And I think they’ve got a few players due back. I think Brad Walker’s due back. He’s had a fractured rib. 

“He’s got some great talent about him, a lovely kicking game, great passing game, so he’ll offer a bit of a threat out wide if he is back. I believe there’s one two others that are due back for them as well. 

“And I think they’ve signed, well. [Ryan] King that they’ve got from Whitehaven, I think he’s a great little player as well.  

“There’s a number of players that you could go through that can offer punch in their team from the middle to the edges. But at the same time so have we. 

“We’re looking forward to it. We’re looking forward to coming up against another difficult team and we’ll be going full guns blazing trying to back it up with another tough win.”