It was a spectacular day at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium as the Bulldogs collected their first ever win on a pink weekend, over close neighbours Dewsbury Rams.
Matt Diskins side started off with a dominant display, scoring twice early on in the game with Adam Gledhill and Keenen Tomlinson going across the line following on from some well forced pressure. Scott converted one out of the two.
Dewsbury were soon to hit back though, as Lucas Walshaw and Tobias Richardson came stampeding through the Batley defence to turn the game in their favour. Sykes converted both.
Dave Scott had to put his kicking boot back on once more as the Bulldogs opted for the 2 points converting a penalty goal, bringing the scores level.
James Glover and Dominic Speakman crossed again for the visitors, which saw them chalking even more points on the board. However, in the space of the two tries Dewsbury became a man down as Daniel Igbenedion was handed the yellow card. Sykes could only convert one out of the two; placing the half-time score at: 12 – 22
The second half was a stunning performance from the hosts keeping the visitors on a clean sheet, whilst they ramped up the points. Two tries appeared within a matter of minutes of each other with James Harrison going first and Wayne Reittie not so long after. Walker took the kicking, converting both.
Neil Kelly’s team dug as deep as they could in an attempt to place themselves in the game. All of their efforts came in vain though seeing the Bulldogs having none of it, running another three tries to the line. Dane Manning, Wayne Reittie and ‘Super’ Brad Day added to an already impressive tally on the score sheet, after some fast fluent ball play proved too much in the end for the visitors. Walker slotted over all three conversions.
Overall it was an impressive performance from Diskins men who claimed a 42 – 22 win and gained back the bragging rights!
Batley Xlll – Dave Scott, Wayne Reittie, Keenen Tomlinson, Lewis Galbraith, Johnny Campbell, Louis Joufrett, Dom Brambani, Adam Gledhill, Alistair Leak, James Harrison, Dane Manning, Joel Farrell and Brad Day.
Interchange – Patrick Walker, James Brown, Alex Rowe and Alex Bretherton.
Dewsbury Xlll – Josh Gudzek, Adam Ryder, James Glover, Macauley Hallett, Dale Morton, Paul Sykes, Gareth Moore, Toby Everett, Robbie Ward, Kyle Trout, Lucas Walshaw, Tobias Richardson and Jordan Crowther.
Interchange – Dom Speakman, Bradley Delaney, Jack Teanby and Daniel Igbenedion.
