Bradford & Bingley director of rugby Martin Whitcombe has stressed the importance of his side maintaining their focus for 80 minutes during Saturday’s home clash with derby rivals Morley.
The Bees’ last outing was a 29-13 defeat at Penrith a fortnight ago, when some careless handling saw them contribute to their own downfall in Cumbria.
Whitcombe is now determined they respond in style against their neighbours from Scatcherd Lane, who have lost eight of their 12 National Three North outings so far this term.
Whitcombe said: “It’s a game we’re looking forward to. We’re at home and it’s up to us to take the game to them and show what we can do.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Morley as a rugby club as they have a fine tradition and can certainly put a side together.
“There is a lot of local pride at stake this weekend and league positions don’t really mean anything bec-ause it’s a big derby.
“It means a lot to both sets of players and we’re determined to come out on top.”
Yet Whitcombe admits his men must seek to eradicate the errors which proved their undoing against Pen-rith.
“Getting our concentration and focus right is so important,” he added.
“That cuts out any little mistakes and, like I’ve said before, we’re not far away from being a decent rugby team.
“Our second and third team are top of their respective leagues, so we are very pleased with how the club is progressing.”
Giorgi Lomtadze is handed his first start for the club in the back row and Jason Moss lines up at loosehead prop.
Whitcombe added: “Giorgi is a very good ball carrier and we do need some support for Guy Ford.
“Jason comes in at loosehead and has been playing well for us this season.”
Meanwhile, Otley flanker Daniel Temm was handed a three-week suspension when he appeared before a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel this week.
Temm was sent off in the recent SSE National League Two North game at Harrogate for a dangerous tackle.
The panel felt the it was an offence worthy of a six-week ban but took into consideration his guilty plea and previous good record in reducing the punishment.
His club had imposed their own two-week ban last week. Their action means that Temm’s will be able to play again from December 11.
Otley travel to Stockport on Saturday.
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