Match Report by Luke Winner.

Batley made the journey to Blackpool this weekend facing neighbours Dewsbury Rams in what was a thrilling SummerBash contest, with Diskin’s side losing closely 20 – 18.

The SummerBash, started off brilliant with both teams showing off their skill. Dewsbury scored early doors within the game, after some slick passing from the opponents saw Aaron Brown crashing over. Sykes converted.

Diskin’s men, needed to respond quickly against Neil Kelly’s side who were forcing Batley to make errors along their line. Michael Ward took on the Dewsbury line towards the end of their last set, to then pass out near completion of the tackle sending James Harrison over. Izaac Farrell converted.

Following the Bulldogs try, Dewsbury became rattled struggling to keep their composure making themselves vulnerable. Batley managed to gain two goal line drop outs on the bounce, with Reiss Butterworths cheeky grubber kick claiming the second.

Butterworth then danced his way through a compact Rams defence to touch down, Farrell converted.

HALF-TIME: Batley Bulldogs 12 – 6 Dewsbury Rams

The second half got underway with a bang as Sam Day stretched out, just reaching across the Batley line. Sykes added the extras; meaning the scores aligned.

Forward Michael Ward was back at his powering tactics, busting through a firm Ram wall gaining what was essential yards. Reiss Butterworth once again was involved in the play, from sending out a swooping pass to Izaac Farrell to then Joel Farrell, who skipped across easily into the left corner. Farrell couldn’t convert.

The neighbours showed their flare as Daniel Igbinedon, broke down the Bulldogs defensive line to stroll through a small gap and score. Sykes converted.

Izaac Farrell converted a penalty goal, bringing the scores even once more. Towards the end the game it soon became tit for tat, with both teams earning even yards.

Sykes’ sealed the win for the rivals after successfully converting a penalty goal from in front of the sticks as only minutes remained.

FULL-TIME: Batley Bulldogs 18 – 20 Dewsbury Rams.

Batley Xlll – David Scott, Keenan Tomlinson, Sam Smeaton, Lewis Galbraith, Jason Crookes, Daniel Sowerby, Izaac Farrell, Adam Gledhill, Alistair Leak, Alex Rowe, Alex Bretherton, Joel Farrell and Bradley Day.

Interchanges – Reiss Butterworth, Tommy Holland, Michael Ward and James Harrison.

Dewsbury Xlll – Josh Gudzek, Gareth Potts, James Glover, Macualey Hallett, Dale Morton, Paul Sykes, Aaron Brown, Shannon Wakeman, Dominic Speakman, Jack Teanby, Kyle Trout, Michael Ward and Jordan Crowther.

Interchanges – Samuel Day, Martyn Reilly, Toby Everett and Daniel Igbinedion.