THE recent poor form of the Bulldogs continued as they were torn apart by ruthless Halifax at The Shay on Monday.
Not for the first time, the Bulldogs were tormented by home stand-off Graham Holroyd whose kicking caused the Bulldogs, in particular winger Scott Childs, a host of problems and he had a hand or foot in most of the Halifax tries.
Batley, already below strength, were handicapped by a head injury to prop Luke Stenchion, who came back stitched up to try and help his battered colleagues as they fell away in the second half.
There were big efforts up front from Kris Lythe, who had one of his better games, and Kevin Crouthers, while Ian Preece showed some dash in the backs. But Batley simply did not have the strength in depth to cope with a rampant home side and folded badly in the second half to concede 18 points in the last 12 minutes.
In the opening minutes Holroyd sent a high ball to the wing which Childs dropped and from then on the scene was set. Preece made a try-saving tackle on Paul Smith as Halifax attacked but it was clear they would not be kept out for long.
Holroyd's long pass sent Jon Goddard through and he put Lee Greenwood racing away to the posts, Holroyd added the goal.
The Bulldogs then spent a lengthy period trying to get out of their own territory without success until Adam Mitchell made ground before Danny Maun was just held.
Crouthers surged forward and showed great hands to slip the ball away under pressure to give Childs a clear run to the corner, Kevin King failed at goal.
Another towering kick by Holroyd again caused problems and gained the position for Holroyd to send Miles Greenwood away for the score. Holroyd goaled.
Inevitably Holroyd put the ball up again and this time James Haley collected and sent Dana Wilson over for the third home try and Holroyd's easy goal.
Halifax continued to dominate and Frank Watene missed a good chance when he knocked on when well placed.
Batley kept working and a smart piece of play saw Tim Spears send Preece racing through and he made ground before turning the ball inside to Bolu Fagborun who charged over. Surprisingly King missed the reasonable shot at goal.
At 18-8 just on half-time Batley had not done badly but once again they conceded a try right on the break. Yet another Holroyd kick did the damage and this time ex-Bulldog Shad Royston went over. Holroyd's goal made it 24-8 at half-time and really all over.
It certainly was straight after the restart as Halifax regained possession from a short kick and Holroyd put Miles Greenwood over again but this time his conversion failed.
Batley lost Preece to the sin-bin after he interfered to prevent a quick restart after the ball had gone dead. Damien Gibson threw the ball at Preece's head but was not punished.
Within a minute Royston had scored again from another Holroyd high kick and it was a question of how many. With Preece still off Gibson went in at the corner and cut under the posts for Holroyd to convert.
To their credit Batley had a decent spell midway through the half. Preece produced another good run but Craig Farrell could not make the line. The Bulldogs stayed deep and King forced his way in at the corner, Mitchell adding an excellent touchline goal.
Batley could have got closer, hard-working Lythe made space for Spears but his pass gave Fagborun little chance and soon after the winger was taken into touch.
It was Batley's last fling and they faded in the closing minutes allowing Halifax to sweep past the half-century with tries by Andy Bowman, David Larder from half-way after selling a huge dummy, and Lee Greenwood, the length of the field, as the Bulldogs' defence appeared to give up the ghost.
With points difference likely to be important this time, Batley do not need this sort of fade-out.
Halifax: Royston, Patterson, Goddard, Haley, L.Greenwood, Holroyd, M.Greenwood, Wrench, Billings, Larder, Varkulis, Ball, Smith. Subs: Gibson, Bowman, Wilson, Watene.
Batley: Preece; Fagborun, King, Maun, Childs; Toohey, Mitchell; Stenchion, Lythe, Henderson, Crouthers, Spears, Farrell. Subs: Lindsay, Murtza, Brook, Simpson.
Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven)
Attendance: 2,086