logo
'More bumps in road ahead' for Giants

'More bumps in road ahead' for Giants

BBC News23-03-2025

Huddersfield Giants director of rugby Andy Kelly says following the struggling club this season is "not for the faint-hearted".Kelly, 64, sent an open message to supporters on the club website, external with the Giants rock-bottom of Super League and without a point.Thursday's 23-10 reverse at fellow strugglers Salford was their sixth straight defeat in all competitions for the Giants who were also knocked out of the Challenge Cup."The performance at Salford was below any of the standards we set and, of all our defeats to date in 2025, the most painful," he said."I feel an apology would be a superficial fix but one that, if given, would be sincere. If I believed it would not be necessary again I would gladly give it."What I know is this period of time is not for the faint-hearted and needs courage and fortitude."Kelly said injuries had been a factor in their poor start, but insisted the club would turn their fortunes around and find "top-six consistency"."We are driven to improve the fortunes and future of this club, but it will not be a short-term thing, and yes we will have bumps in the road," he added.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

James Batchelor hopes to follow in brother Joe's footsteps and win Challenge Cup
James Batchelor hopes to follow in brother Joe's footsteps and win Challenge Cup

Glasgow Times

time2 hours ago

  • Glasgow Times

James Batchelor hopes to follow in brother Joe's footsteps and win Challenge Cup

While major silverware still eludes the 27-year-old Rovers second rower, older brother Joe won the prestigious trophy with St Helens in 2021 and also has two Grand Final triumphs to his name. James credits his riotous introduction to rugby league to the impact of his brother – his senior by three years – and is determined to emulate him when the Robins get another chance to end their 40-year trophyless streak against Warrington. Batchelor told the PA news agency: 'I definitely want what my brother's got. He's already got one and I want one to match it, and although there's always been a rivalry between us I'm sure he wants me to get one because he knows how much it means to me.' James Batchelor is determined to match the exploits of older brother Joe at Wembley (Mike Egerton/PA) Batchelor admits the sibling rivalry between the pair was not always so healthy when they were growing up in West Yorkshire, with the younger brother eager to prove himself in games against much bigger and more physical friends. 'It could get pretty fierce at times,' recalled Batchelor. 'We were at each other 24-7, kicking lumps out of each other in the garden, and we drove our mum up the wall. 'But it definitely drove us both on, and I got used to playing with him and his mates who were a lot older than me. When they're all going through growth spurts and I'm not growing, it definitely toughens you up because you have to get on with it and you get no sympathy at that age.' Since joining Rovers in 2023, Batchelor has been integral to the club's rise to the top of the Super League table, but was also part of the setbacks of losing the 2023 Challenge Cup final in heartbreaking fashion to Leigh, and last year's Grand Final against Wigan at Old Trafford. Batchelor believes those tough losses have equipped his club to kick on and put an end to a much-publicised streak without silverware, which stretches back to Rovers' 1985 title win in what was then the Slalom Lager League. 'There's a lot of factors that add up, including the excitement of being back at Wembley for the second time in three years, but also having that motivation to get rid of the hurt of those two losses and go one better this time,' he added. 'We said after the 2023 final that we could either fade away or learn from it and kick on, and that's what we did. Every setback we've had at this club in recent years, we've been able to work on it and come back stronger. 'The 40-year thing is also a big deal, the taunting our supporters get about it, many of whom have been with us a long time and have been through it. 'All these things fuel the fire towards Saturday, and we definitely want to go out and win the trophy for our fans.'

Fans gather for Hull KR send-off ahead of Challenge Cup Final
Fans gather for Hull KR send-off ahead of Challenge Cup Final

BBC News

time3 hours ago

  • BBC News

Fans gather for Hull KR send-off ahead of Challenge Cup Final

Dozens of Hull KR fans gathered at Craven Park to give players a huge send-off ahead of the Challenge Cup final at Super League leaders face Warrington Wolves on Saturday and the club set off from their ground earlier to the sound of cheers as supporters congregated in the is the second time the Robins have been at Wembley in three who cheered the Robins when they last won the title 45 years ago, was in the crowd with his granddaughter and said it felt "emotional" seeing the players embark on their trip to London. Tearful, Laurie said: "My kids and grandchildren have never seen them win anything. I have, I'm lucky."Last year he took his granddaughter, who was 10 months old at the time, to see the Rovers' play against Wigan Warriors in the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford. But the club lost said: "I will be in tears if they win". Emma, another fan, said she and her family had to wait a "lifetime" for the Robins to reach the Challenge Cup final for a second time and she had high hopes the squad were "going to win"."The club deserve it, the fans deserve it," she the build up and coverage of the game will be on BBC Radio Humberside. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Harris backs Knights to put on a show at Wembley
Harris backs Knights to put on a show at Wembley

BBC News

time5 hours ago

  • BBC News

Harris backs Knights to put on a show at Wembley

Winger Liam Harris said York Knights can show they are "a Super League side in the making" with victory in the 1895 Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday (17:45 BST).The North Yorkshire outfit will battle it out with fellow Championship side Featherstone Rovers for the second- and third-tier knockout trophy after the Challenge Cup final between Warrington Wolves and Hull while Harris expects that plenty of fans will not stay to watch the aftershow to the main event, he said they should if they want to see a top-flight side of the future."Outside looking in, people probably turn their nose up at this competition," Harris told BBC Radio York."It is played after the [main] game and all the fans have left and all that sort of stuff, but to us, looking at it internally, it is the only knockout competition we can win so to us it's everything."That is what is on offer and we'll go for it. If and when we get the job done on the weekend it is a fair step in a positive direction for the club, and that's very important to us as well."I believe York is a Super League club in the making and it's only a matter of time [before we become one]."York Knights have spent the last six and a half seasons in the second-tier Championship, finishing fourth, sixth and sixth in the past three currently sit in fourth place in the table, four places and four points ahead of Saturday's opponents Featherstone Rovers, who are eighth.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store