Halifax RLFC have moved their friendly meeting with Championship rivals Batley Bulldogs.

Sunday’s pre-season clash had been scheduled to take place at The Shay, but has been switched to Batley’s Mount Pleasant ground (2.00).

Halifax director Ian Croad took the decision to move the game in an attempt to ensure it goes ahead.

Both Halifax’s friendly against Keighley last weekend and FC Halifax Town’s game on Tuesday night against Salisbury were called off because of the waterlogged Shay pitch.

“If we had gone ahead and tried to play at the Shay, I think it would have been 50/50 at best,” said Croad, who explained the pitch was too wet to have planned verti-draining carried out before today.

“By making an early call, we basically go from a 50 per cent chance of playing to somewhere near 100 per cent.

“It’s an important game in our preparation and we didn’t want to jeopardise it, especially after losing the Keighley fixture.

“We also didn’t want to cause any longer-term damage to the playing surface that would be detrimental to both us and the football club.”

The admission prices will remain the same at with adults �10, concessions �5 and juniors �1.

Calderdale’s two entrants into the Tetley’s Challenge Cup first round were both drawn away.

National Conference outfit Siddal travel to Premier Division rivals York Acorn, while Conference II outfit Elland are away at Woolston Rovers, of Conference III.

Ties are due to be played over the weekend of February 1 and 2.