IN-FORM Jermaine McGillvary is hoping his inside knowledge of Batley will make the Giants’ task of progressing to the fifth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup a little easier.
The 22-year-old winger spent the whole of the 2009 season on loan at Mount Pleasant and is set to make a first competitive return on Sunday.
The Super League Giants start as red-hot favourites to beat their Co-operative Championship hosts. But McGillvary knows his former club will relish the chance to go head-to-head with their illustrious neighbours and will be determined to make the most of their infamous Mount Pleasant slope.
“I know from my time at the club how much emphasis Batley place on the slope, it’s something they regularly use to their advantage,” said McGillvary.
“I also know that if Batley win the toss, they always elect to play uphill in the first half. So if we win it, we’ll have to choose to go up the slope as well, and they won’t like that!
“But whatever happens, I’m really looking forward to seeing our big guys going down the hill at pace. Batley could really have their work cut-out, even though it is actually easier defending up the hill because you can get back into the defensive line. I’ve obviously told the boys all about this and what to expect from the Batley boys, because quite a few of the players are still there from the time I was at the club.
“There’s no doubt they’re a pretty decent squad and having got to know their coach, Karl Harrison, really well, I know they’ll be fired-up to face us. We need to be spot on.”
