MAL Holt says Woolston Rovers will need to be “patient and disciplined” if they are to continue their winning start to the National Conference League Division Three season on Saturday.

Having seen off Hensingham in their opening fixture, the Green and Golds travel to another Division Three newcomer in the form of Batley Boys on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

Their opponents were beaten by a late Hunslet Warriors try in their first ever NCL game but, backed by a home crowd at Batley Bulldogs’ Mount Pleasant home, Holt is under no illusions as to how tough a test this will be for his side.

The Rovers head coach also called upon his side to show the same sort of game management that saw them complete a comfortable victory in their first game of 2019.

“We are going into the unknown once again as we have never faced Batley before,” he said.

“We will not know anything about them apart from the fact that they were unlucky at Hunslet.

“We will be preparing for a really tough battle. We know we will need to be patient and disciplined in our play to ensure we don’t give away any cheap points.

“I was delighted with our game management against Hensingham and I will be asking the lads to produce the same sort of display this week.”

A coach will be leaving Monks Sports Club at 11.30am on Saturday for anyone wishing to travel to Batley with Rovers. Contact Nikki Whalley on 07889170895 to secure your place.

Closer to home, Woolston Rovers A are also in action as they kick off their North West Men’s League Division Three campaign.

They welcome Leigh East A to Monks Sports Club for their opening fixture on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm, as they aim for a second promotion in three seasons.

Head coach Andy Penny says there is a lot more strength in depth about his side in 2019 thanks to some off-season recruitment.

“We are really looking forward to starting our league campaign. It promises to be a really tough encounter,” he said.

“The pre-season has been really good for us, with several new faces coming to the club that has given us a lot more strength in depth.

“Hopefully, that will enable us to get off to a good start.”