BATLEY BULLDOGS 24
HALIFAX 34
This game often produces lots of points and tonight was no exception as Halifax ran up a big lead before a thrilling comeback from Batley won the Bulldogs what could prove to be a valuable bonus point.
The Bulldogs made the better start and opened scoring after four minutes when a deft kick from Scotland international halfback Gareth Moore found Ian Preece and he showed good strength to wrestle past James Haley and Shad Royston for the try. Moore converted to put Batley 6-0 up.
An unlucky call against Bulldogs winger Lee Greenwood resulted in possession for Fax from a scrum and after having little luck in stretching the defence, the visitors played it tight with Sean Penkywicz putting a short pass onto Dominic Maloney for the 23 year old prop to score. Paterson kicked the first of five goals and it was all level - 6-6.
Jon Goddard saw a try disallowed while Makali Aizue was held up. At this stage Halifax took a stranglehold on possession, aided by a 4-0 penalty count from the whistle of referee Ron Laughton. Four consecutive sets followed before another short ball from Penkywicz saw Maloney through for number two.
Batley only won their first penalty after 18 minutes but the Bulldogs couldn't take advantage when a dipping pass from Chris Buttery was knocked on by support.
Five minutes later, the visitors grabbed their second try when Ben Black passed left and a late change of direction from David Wrench took him past a couple of tacklers and over the try line.
The Bulldogs poured forward after half an our but James Martin couldn't hold onto the ball and the opportunity was lost. After defending their line, Batley won a penalty but Gareth Moore didn't find touch and within a minute former Gateshead halfback Luke Branighan dummied and forced his way over the line.
Minutes later, Batley again received a penalty in their own half and Paul Handforth missed touch. Halifax moved downfield and scored their fifth try when Royston evaded Danny Maun's tackle to cross. On the stroke of half-time Paterson struck a penalty from distance and Halifax looked out of sight at 30-6.
Three minutes into the new half, Fax surged upfield again for Branighan to make the line a second time. Paterson missed the conversion but at 34-6 it looked like game over. That is what Halifax seemed to think too.
Grabbing inspiration and spirit from somewhere, and aided by a turnaround in penalties, Batley began to offer a challenge. First big Sean Hesketh made inroads then former Salford and Leeds forward Jason Walton was prevented from scoring before alert play from dummy half led to Ash Lindsay pinching a try.
As penalties continued to be blown, Fax lost Wrench to the sinbin on 59 minutes and Batley snapped into action despite losing Handforth to injury.
Kyle Wood dinked a kick to his left and Preece was close to kicking on before Rob Worrincy tracked back to concede a drop out in the 66th minute. A minute later Kris Lythe's run set the position and Johnny Campbell grounded at the second time of asking despite best efforts of Goddard. Moore goaled quickly and was then on target 65 seconds later when Lindsay and Lythe went down the middle before Lindsay took the ball right and Campbell dashed in for his 11th try of the season. Moore added his 4th goal and despite some more attack from both teams there was no further scoring.
Halifax were able to breathe a sigh of relief at the end while Batley wondered what could have been but for a loose and mistake ridden opening.
BATLEY: Tries: Preece (4), Lindsay (50), Campbell 2 (67, 69). Goals: Moore 4/4.
HALIFAX: Tries: Maloney 2 (9, 15), Wrench (23), Branighan 2 (32, 43), Royston (38). Goals: Paterson 5/7.
Referee: Ron Laughton .
Penalties: Batley 17 Halifax 9.
Attendance: 837.
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