A flying start from the visitors proved the difference in a thrilling game at The Fox’s Biscuits Stadium. Halifax raced into a 22-0 lead thanks to tries from Butler, Saltonstall, Johnston and Heaton before Joel Farrell struck back for the home side on the stroke of half time.

Farrell again scored early in the second half before Heaton registered his second for the visitors. Smart movement from The Bulldogs sent James Harrison over close to the posts to narrow the margin once again but as Matt Diskin’s men pushed to find the next crucial score in a spirited fightback, Stephen Tyrer capped a fine performance for Halifax to put them beyond the reach of injury hit Batley.

No shortage of effort from The Bulldogs who showed great determination but a poor opening quarter proved too much in the end.

FULL-TIME: Batley Bulldogs 22 – 32 Halifax RLFC

Attendance – 1,002

Batley Xlll – Izaac Farrell, Dave Scott, Sam Smeaton, Lewis Galbraith, Jason Crookes, Patch Walker,
Daniel Sowerby, Adam Gledhill, Alistair Leak, Tommy Holland, James Harrison, Joel Farrell and Brad
Day.
Interchanges – Michael Ward, Alex Rowe, Reiss Butterworth and Alex Bretherton.

Halifax Xlll – James Woodburn-Hall, James Saltonstall, Stephen Tyrer, Edward Barber, Ben Heaton,
Scott Murrell, Ben Johnston, Dan Fleming, Ben Kaye, Elliot Morris, Chester Butler, Shane Grady and
Jacob Fairbank.
Interchanges – Brandon Moore, Adam Tangata, James Green and Will Maher.