Baxter confident of tour success

The BARLA Great Britain Lions set off for Australia on Saturday full of confidence as they look to retain the "Perpetual Trophy".

The highlight of the six game tour is a two match Test series against the Australian Aboriginals and the Lions will hope to repeat the success they had when they last clashed only two years ago.

In late 2002 BARLA regained the "Perpetual Trophy" after winning 30-6 at Robin Park, Wigan, and then 26-20 at Mount Pleasant, Batley a week later to wrap up a 2-0 test series success. The tourists will be desperate to return home from Australia with another series win.

Lions Manager Neil Baxter is looking forward to the tour and is confident that the players will do both themselves and BARLA proud. He said, "Both the squad and the management are looking forward to the tour and we are all aware how difficult it will be".

He continued, "The lads have trained well and after some impressive performances at the Victory Cup in Moscow, we are quietly confident that we'll have a successful trip".

Squad:

Players Dave Goddard (Army) Paul Toole (Blackbrook) Matthew Rogers (Eastmoor Dragons) Paul Raftery (Eccles & Salford Juniors) Daniel Kilshaw (Leigh East) Lee Wingfield (Leigh East) David Price (Leigh Miners Rangers) Tommy Goulden (Leigh Miners Rangers) Daniel Tyrell (Oldham St Annes) Ashley Lindsey (Shaw Cross) Carl Hughes (Stanley Rangers) Gary Weymes (East Hull) Alex Bretherton (Thornhill) Anthony Broadhead (Thornhill) Carl Rudd (Wath Brow Hornets) Loz Wildbore (West Hull) Mark Deans (Wath Brow Hornets) Paul Davidson (Wath Brow Hornets) Scott Teare (Wath Brow Hornets) Chris Lee (West Hull) Gavin Last (West Hull) Terry Lynn (West Hull) Gavin Corfield (Wigan St Judes) John McMullen (Wigan St Judes) Carl Jones (Wigan St Patricks) Paul Egan (Wigan St Patricks)

Management: Neil Baxter (Manager) Carl Sanderson (Assistant Manager) Mick Turner (Coach) Chris Middlehurst (Assistant Coach) Trevor Wiseman (Physio) Steve Manning (PRO)

Australia Tour 2004 Fixtures:

Game 1 - Tuesday 22nd June v Manly A Grade Rep Side Manly, Sydney Kick Off: 2.30pm

Game 2 - Saturday 26th June v South West Metro Waratahs Hillier Oval, Liverpool, Sydney Kick Off: 2.30pm

Game 3 - Saturday 3rd July v Redfern All Blacks Redfern Oval, Redfern, Sydney Kick Off: 2.30pm

Game 4 - Saturday 10th July v 1st TEST Kitchener Oval, Gunnedah Country, NSW Kick Off: 2.30pm

Game 5 - Wednesday 14th July v Grafton Rebels McKittrick Oval, Grafton Country, NSW Kick Off: 7.00pm

Game 6 - Saturday 17th July v 2nd TEST Carrera Stadium, Gold Coast, Queensland Kick Off: 3.00pm

Previous Results Versus Australian Aboriginals

November 2002 at Batley RLFC BARLA Great Britain 26 v 20 Australian Aboriginals

October 2002 at Robin Park Arena, Wigan BARLA Great Britain 30 v 6 Australian Aboriginals

July 1998 at Sydney Australian Aboriginals 16 v 18 Great Britain

October 1997 at Workington Great Britain 24 v 54 Australian Aboriginals at Salford Great Britain 28 v 20 Australian Aboriginals