Alarm bells ringing as Bulldogs pay for errors
Alarm bells ringing as Bulldogs pay for errors
Halifax 30
Batley Bulldogs 22
BATLEY'S hopes of a play-off place in the Co-operative Championship took a heavy knock last Sunday as they paid a high price for their own errors at The Shay.
The Bulldogs showed great spirit to battle back late on and earn a bonus point but were left feeling they had missed their way with a number of vital handling mistakes.
The game had been under way for less than five minutes when a fire alarm caused a 20-minute hold-up and spectators from one part of the ground had been allowed onto the pitch.
Once play resumed, the Bulldogs put in plenty of effort with Kris Lythe, Ash Lindsay and Sean Hesketh working hard up front and stand-off Paul Handforth again organising in great style and creating much for the side.
But Batley's handling was erratic and cost them numerous good positions and too many of their mistakes led directly to home tries.
After Gareth Moore missed an early penalty attempt, Halifax attacked hard and Batley did well to keep them out. The Bulldogs lost possession as they tried to clear their line and Jon Goddard picked up and sprinted over for a gift try. Lee Paterson failed at goal.
Neither side could gain a clear advantage, although Batley were unlucky when Jason Walton charged clear but the pass from Moore was ruled forward.
Handforth landed a rare 40-20 to give his side a good attacking position but once again Batley's handling let them down and the chance was lost.
Halifax cashed in on the error when Frank Watene broke Batley's tackling and gave Shad Royston a long run. The attack ended when Sean Penkywicz twisted in the tackle and forced his way over for Paterson to add the goal.
Halifax came again as the Batley tackling was patchy but Jonny Campbell grabbed an interception close to his line and raced the length of the field for a spectacular score. Moore missed the kick and the home side led 10-4 at half-time.
Halifax struck early in the second half when Graham Holroyd, so often a threat to Batley, sent Royston racing in for the score and Paterson added the goal.
But the Bulldogs are made of stern stuff these days and they bounced straight back when a perfectly-judged pass from Handforth sent Lythe dodging his way over. Moore added the goal.
Halifax were also quick to respond and Paterson collected a kick from Ben Black and went in well at the corner. He added a fine goal to make it 22-10.
Handforth again took charge of things and his quality kick out wide picked out Campbell, who swept over for his 29th try of the campaign to equal the club's all-time record for tries in a season. Moore duly added the goal and the Bulldogs were still in touch.
Moore and Black were sent to the sin-bin after a lightweight contest between the two. Batley came again but a great chance was lost when Walton lost possession. Again Halifax celebrated the escape with a crucial try as Paterson was sent clear for his second try.
Paterson converted and then landed a penalty goal and, 14 points adrift, Batley faced the prospect of going away empty-handed.
They showed the spirit which has served them so well this season and attacked hard. The Bulldogs gained reward four minutes from the end when Dave Tootill made a good break and kicked ahead and Moore won the race for the try. He also added the goal and Batley had their bonus point, but they could well have taken all three.
Halifax: Royston; Paterson, Goddard, Nash, White; Branighan, Black; Maloney, Beswick, Ostick, Bannister, Wrench, Larder. Subs: Penkywicz, Cherryholme, Watene, Holroyd.
Batley Bulldogs: Preece; Campbell, Griffin, Maun, Brown; Handforth, Moore; Smith, Lythe, Hesketh, Walton, J Gallagher, Lindsay. Subs: T Gallagher, Toohey, Tootill, Martin.
Referee: Jamie Leahy.
Attendance: 4,795.
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Weather for Batley
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
