Siddal: No pressure on us

Correspondent

Siddal coach Gareth Greenwood says his team has no pressure on it to win in their Challenge Cup tie with Rochdale.

Community club Siddal had a convincing 30-4 victory over Newcastle Thunder in the last round of the Cup and won their opening league match at Kells 20-10.

Coach Gareth Greenwood said: “We’ve started really well and won four from four. There’s a good feel around the team and the place at the moment and it has to be to go to places like Newcastle and Kells and win.

“Going to Rochdale is a big step up, they’ll be stronger than anyone else we’ve played but at the same time there’s no point going there being scared or too nervous.

“We might as well have a good crack at it and see what happens. We’re looking forward to it. The pressure is on them not just to win but to win by quite a lot. It’s something we’re looking forward to.”

Rochdale had a convincing 58-16 win at Coventry Bears last weekend.

Coach Alan Kilshaw: “I still don’t think we’ve put in a full 80 minute performance. It was 34-0 at half time and I was disappointed with their tries, although I might be being a little bit picky because we did score 11 ourselves.

“It’s a long day going there, so it was good to come back with a win by such a big margin.

“The lads will be under no illusions that it’s going to be a difficult game this week. We played Mayfield in the last round and that was a really tough battle.

“I’m pleased we are at home. There’s been a lot said about League 1 with these community teams winning. We’ve got to go out and be professional and fly the flag for our competition and show that we are professional and it is a good competition.

“They’re a good side and have got some good ex-pros. We know that they will be good on the day.”

Prop Jack Francis will be out for four weeks with a knee ligament injury and centre Mike Ratu looks to be out for another three to four weeks with a shoulder problem.

Fullback Wayne English is rested but wing Dale Bloomfield comes back into the squad.