By Luke Winner

The Bulldogs were too powerful for a young Wakefield Trinity side at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium, running out 24-12 winners in an entertaining contest.

The opening minutes of the game saw the Bulldogs’ gain some well-earned yards deep within the Trinity half. The home side maintained good field position for the opening quarter but were unable to break a determined defence. On 25 minutes with The Bulldogs pressuring the Trinity line A loose Batley pass was intercepted by Wakefield’s’ fullback Tom Ashen, who ran the full 80m to end the deadlock. Luke Hooley added the visitor’s extras.
Batley 0 – 6 Wakefield.

Batley began building their offence up again with Wayne Reittie almost going over in the right-hand corner. However, a solid Trinity defence held back the winger from squeezing over. Shortly after the hooter sounded calling half-time as the Bulldogs’ headed in trailing narrowly 0 – 6.

Batley began the second half with intent as Alistair Leak went charging over from dummy half shortly after the restart. Walker converted. 6 – 6. The home side kept up the momentum as the ball was shipped from right to left sending Shaun Ainscough flying over in the corner. Walker didn’t miss the conversion. 12 – 6

Chester’s men charged their way up the hill swiftly after Max Jowitt high kick caused a Bulldogs error. Jowitt himself then went over in the next play. James Batchelor added the conversion, bringing it to 12 – 12.

Tries began flooding in as straight after the restart, James Brown went crashing over from close range. Walker missed the conversion. 16 – 12.

The Bulldogs were now applying pressure and a number of goal line drop outs were forced. New signing Keenen Tomlinson making his second appearance for the Bulldogs, managed to prevent a break for Wakefield from a loose ball.

Some more stunning fast flowing ball play, this time from left to right saw Wayne Reittie dance over to score in the far right. 20 – 12.

Bringing the game to a close, Dane Manning made sure to punish the visitors after they were penalised for a ball steal, scoring from a restart tap 10m out. Walker couldn’t convert.

An entertaining day at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium with both sides showing skill and determination on difficult conditions.

FULL-TIME: Batley Bulldogs 24 – 12 Wakefield Trinity.

Batley 13: Dave Scott, Wayne Reittie, Danny Cowling, Jason Crookes, Shaun Ainscough, Patch Walker, Dominic Brambani, Adam Gledhill, Alistair Leak, Tom Lillycrop, James Harrison, Keenen Tomlinson and Joe Chandler.

Subs: Tom Holland, Michael Ward, Alex Rowe, James Brown and Dane Manning.

Wakefield 13: Luke Hooley, Lee Kershaw, Tom Ashen, Cieran Lewis, Jack Croft, Max Jowitt, Christian Ackroyd, Lewis Wray, Henry Hiddlestone, Jordan Crowther, Nathan Newbound, Wilf Moxon and James Batchelor.

Subs: Tom Schofield, Jacob Jones, Titus Gwaze, Yusuf Aydin, Connor Bailey, Jordan Schofield, Morris Kamano and Coleby Colethorpe.

Match Referee: Mr. Robinson

Attendance: 703

Golden Gamble Winning Ticket 12256. £111