BATCHELOR PARTY

Saint Joe aiming to make up for lost time BUTMENT

- DAVE CRAVEN

ST HELENS star Joe Batchelor hopes for a less stressful start to tomorrow's huge Challenge Cup tie against Leeds - but the same result.

The England international made his long-awaited first appearance of the season when the giants clashed in Super League on Friday.

He helped Saints secure an 18-8 win at Headingley, where they now make a swift return for a mouth-watering sixthround Cup tie.

Batchelor's best-laid plans were thrown up in the air last week after England colleague Tommy Makinson pulled out with a tight hamstring in the warm-up.

He was due to start on the bench as he marked his return from a broken collarbone suffered in the pre-season friendly against Salford.