Powell wary of Batley banana skin

London Broncos coach Rob Powell insists his side will not underestimate the threat posed by part-timers Batley in the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

The capital club are currently low on confidence after recording just two wins from 12 Super League games, while they have not won away from home for almost 12 months.

Batley not only have home advantage in Sunday's fifth-round tie - and Powell's men are acutely aware of the infamous sloping pitch at Mount Pleasant - but in coach John Kear have an expert in masterminding cup upsets.

Kear, of course, was the man who guided Sheffield Eagles to their stunning win over Wigan at Wembley in 1998 and also plotted Hull's surprise victory over Leeds at the Millennium Stadium in 2005.

"We understand why people see it as a banana skin for us," said Powell. "It's for a very good reason.

"They're a decent team, it's a tough place to play and we know how John Kear gets a team up for these games.

"We have been struggling in the league but we know, if we play somewhere near our potential, it will hold us in good stead. We certainly don't take Batley lightly.

"Huddersfield went to Batley last year and almost lost. They only won it after Batley had a man sent off."

Powell points to some impressive displays at the Twickenham Stoop, including big wins over Wakefield and Castleford, as evidence of his team's capabilities but accepts they have a worrying problem performing away from home.

"Our away record has been poor over the last three years I've been involved," he said.

"It's worth mentioning Catalan Dragons' poor form away from home too. Five hours on a bus and strange hotel beds take a lot out of a team but we've got to find way to break the cycle."

The Broncos have won on both of their previous visits to Mount Pleasant, in fourth-round ties in 1998 and 2002, but Powell admits the steep gradient may take some of his players by surprise.

"We're aware of it but you have to see it to believe it sort of thing," he said. "It's not something you can practise or train for. It's something quite unique.

"It's something we've talked about but not focused on. At the end of the day, it's a piece of grass like anywhere else."