Batley Bulldogs succumbed to another defeat after in-form Hull KR ran riot during a 68-4 victory at the Mount.
Without a win in four games, Batley welcomed table-toppers
Hull Kingston Rovers to The Fox’s Biscuit Stadium in front of the biggest crowd of the season.
In the reverse fixture in the league, two tries in the opening minutes for Hull gave Batley a mountain to climb and on this occasion Batley faced a similar challenge after Shaun Lunt offloaded from close range for the visitors to put it on a plate for Robbie Mulhern to score. The conversion was added by Ellis.
Soon after, Batley conceded again through winger Ryan Shaw after a perfect long pass by Ellis. This time, Ellis missed the conversion but Hull were into double figures within ten minutes.
Within minutes, Batley carved out a glorious opportunity of their own with Danny Cowling and Macauley Hallett out wide but misjudgement by Cowling cost the Bulldogs a certain try.
From the following set, Hull broke clear of the Batley defence and a short pass by Cockayne set free Heffernan to score once more for the away side. From under the sticks, Ellis added another conversion.
On the twenty-minute mark, Hull added to their try tally after a break in midfield allowed Ellis to stretch clear and release Jordan Abdull to score for the visitors. From wide, Ellis converted to give Hull a 22-point advantage.
Batley struggled to create chances and were punished once more soon after as Dockar-Clay finished off a superb break under the posts to essentially put the game out of Batley’s reach. Ellis added the conversion once more.
Within a minute, Hull scored again through Shaw with his second of the game in the corner after another long pass by Ellis. From the touchline, Ellis’ conversion was marginally wide.Soon after, the visitors added to their tally after Heffernan crashed over from close range for his second. Ellis, on this occasion, kicked the conversion to stretch the visitors lead to 38.
Just before half time, Batley pressure forced a goal-line drop out but a Brambani knock on brought the move to an end and the away side survived.
HALF TIME: Batley Bulldogs 0-38 Hull Kingston Rovers
From the restart, Batley came forward after but a forward pass deep inside Hull’s half denied another opportunity to score and again the away side survived.
Soon after, Hull broke free of the Batley defence once more and Ellis was over for Hull KR to open their account for the second half. Ellis then added the extra two points.
Batley gradually began to put some pressure on Hull but the visitors were resolute in defence and were soon rewarded after a stray kick by Smeaton was gathered by Butler-Fleming who advanced from the half way line to score. Ellis added the extras to give Hull a half century of points.
A try-saving tackle by Day soon after denied Hull another try after
Butler-Fleming knocked on from close range.
From the following Hull set, the visitors broke once more through a cagey Bulldogs defence and Heffernan broke before putting it on a plate for Shaul to complete his hat-trick. Ellis, under the posts, converted.
Then, after more Batley pressure that was resisted, Hull broke again to score yet another try through Dockar-Clay who was over for his second of the game with ten minutes to play. Ellis again added the extras.
With five minutes to play, Batley finally scored, preventing the whitewash. Mikey Hayward crashed over in the corner after strong play by Smeaton in the build-up. Southernwood stepped up and missed the conversion.
In the final seconds, Hull finished off their victory with another fine try. On this occasion, Butler-Fleming was over again out wide for the visitors to seal a superb display. Ellis converted from wide to give the away side a 68-4 advantage.
FULL TIME: Batley Bulldogs 4-68 Hull Kingston Rovers.
Winning Golden Gamble Number 2875.
Match Report by Jake Beales-Hobson & Dan Brosnan