|
GIANT killing coach Lee Greenwood is in a "no win" situation after his Siddal team were given home advantage against his professional club Batley in the fourth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
Greenwood, the Bulldogs ex-Halifax wingman who guided Siddal to a stunning 26-0 win at Championship One side Doncaster at the weekend, said he was "absolutely gutted" by the outcome of last night's draw at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Elsewhere, Matt Calland's Fax, who steamrollered Ovenden 88-10 on Sunday, avoided Super League opposition with a trip to Championship One side Swinton now on their agenda.
"It's a real rollercoaster of emotions, winning at the weekend and then getting a game like that," said Greenwood, who had already received "about 20 texts and 10 phone calls" from players from both sides when he spoke to Courier Sport shortly after the draw was made.
"I want Siddal to do well, but at the same time I want to help Batley get as far as they can in the competition.
"Whether I play or I coach, it's a no win situation for me.
"At the moment, I feel like booking a holiday and making sure I'm a long, long way away."
Greenwood's fate will ultimately rest with the Batley coach, the former Halifax prop Karl Harrison, who could effectively block his charge from taking charge of the Chevinedge side, although no decision seems likely until after Thursday night's televised Championship game against Fax at Mount Pleasant.
"I've spoken to Karl, but we've a big game coming up this week and we need to focus on that first," said Greenwood, who declined to be drawn on whether he felt Siddal would have a chance of victory in a game that already looks likely to be switched to the Shay.
"We've a few weeks to work out what we're going to do."
Greenwood isn't the only coach expecting to see some familiar faces in mid-April, with a clutch of Fax old boys waiting for Matt Calland's side at Swinton.
Coaching duo Paul Smith and Ian Watson should be joined on the teamsheet by Graham Holroyd, Paul Southern, Danny Heaton and Phil Joseph.
"It's a bit spicy, isn't it?" said Calland. "I think it's a great tie for both clubs. There will probably be a few people wanting to prove a point."
Full draw: York v Crusaders, Hunslet v Oldham, Swinton v Halifax, Limoux v Leigh, Harlequins v Wakefield, St Helens v Toulouse, Widnes or Wigan St Judes v Lezignan, Catalans v Salford, Sheffield Eagles v Wigan, Siddal v Batley, Hull v Leeds, Castleford v Barrow, Warrington v Featherstone, Blackpool v Whitehaven, Huddersfield v Hull KR, Dewsbury v Bradford. Ties to be played April 16-18.
|
