THE battle in the halves could be crucial when York City Knights tackle high-fliers Batley Bulldogs at Huntington Stadium tonight – and boss Dave Woods believes his boys can come out on top.

Batley stand-off Paul Handforth and scrum-h alf Paul Mennell have both been named in Rugby League World magazine’s team of the month for June after playing pivotal roles in taking the Bulldogs to second spot in the Co-operative Championship.

York have also lost their in-form organiser-in-chief, Chris Thorman, to a broken thumb – just as his half-back alliance with Anthony Thackeray was looking dangerous.

However, Woods reckons Thackeray and Jonny Presley, Thorman’s replacement, can strike up a potent partnership to help to shock their high-riding visitors (8pm kick-off).

Presley has missed only one game this season but in the last four games has been used as a substitute hooker or link-man.

“We’ve spoken about them,” said Woods of Handforth and Mennell. “They need a bit of pressure put on them, Handforth especially with his kicking game. We need to make sure they don’t get too comfortable.”

As for his own pairing, Woods said: “When Jonny’s come on he’s played really well as a link with both of them (Thorman and Thackeray). He’s got an opportunity to stamp a name for himself and I think they will be good together.”

Presley is also the Knights’ top try-scorer this term with 14 – eight more than anyone else – although six of them came in the Challenge Cup romp against Northumbria University.

Woods added: “He’s been going really well these last few weeks and if he gets a few more tries it would be great.”

Batley’s forwards, like their half-backs, have played a big part in their success so far this season, and steamrollered their Knights counterparts in the Bulldogs 50-16 win at Mount Pleasant in the reverse fixture in May.

But Woods reckons his pack – the starting six will be unchanged from that which stood up against Widnes and helped to beat Dewsbury – is a different proposition now. The Aussie, who could also add Brett Waller to the mix as substitute prop Ben Jones faces a late test on his sternum, said: “Our pack has really improved over the last few weeks. They’re doing a really good up front and the back row are all going well.”

James Haynes will miss out with his neck problem so Dennis Tuffour will start on the wing having finished the game at Dewsbury. Ed Smith, Steve Lewis and reserve pivots Scott Woods, Kris Brining and Paul Stamp are also competing for a bench berth.

Centre Daley Williams could return for Batley while in-form loose-forward Ash Lindsay (dead leg) and full-back Ian Preece (back) face late checks.

Winger/full-back Johnny Campbell will next week face a charge of placing unnecessary pressure on the head/neck/spinal column of an opponent during Batley’s 36-28 win at Halifax but is eligible to play tonight.

The main turnstiles will open at 6.30pm and Jockey Lane at 6.45pm. Ticket holders can access Bar 13 from 5.30pm.

A corporate touch tournament between Shepherds, Portakabin and City of York Council will act as a curtain-raiser, starting at 6pm.

Knights (probable): Bush, Sutton, Ford, Esders, Tuffour, Presley, Thackeray, Benson, Lee, Freer, Straugheir, Garside, Clarke. Subs: from Aldous, Jones, Waller, E Smith, Lewis, Woods, Brining, Stamp.

Batley: from Preece, Campbell, Reittie, Walton, Maun, Brown, Handforth, Mennell, B Smith, Lythe, Potter, Manning, Bretherton, Lindsay, Hesketh, Robinson, Buttery, Flanagan, Williams.

Referee: George Stokes (St Helens).