Bulldogs roll out the Barrow and have a party
Batley Bulldogs 46 Barrow Raiders 16
By Trevor Watson
THE Bulldogs produced their best performance for some considerable time to outplay the joint Co-operative Championship leaders in a pulsating game at Mount Pleasant.
Apart from a wobble midway through the second half, Batley dominated, with strong running and good handling, allied to a rugged defence, which often drove the visitors back several yards. The players worked for each other and there were some spectacular individual moments, not least Ash Lindsay’s dazzling 90-yard try direct from a scrum.
Byron Smith and Anthony Henderson had huge games with their powerful bursts and Smith in particular added to his laurels with some excellent tackling.
Craig Potter continues to play well and Danny Maun maintained a high level of consistency with robust defence, making three successive tackles at one stage, and a deserved try stemming from his readiness to chase seemingly lost causes.
Inevitably the in-form half-backs stood out. Paul Mennell worked non-stop and Paul Handforth showed an awareness that Barrow simply couldn’t handle and played a major part in five of Batley’s eight tries.
Batley, who were without injured leading try-scorer Jermaine McGilvary, began determined to wipe out memories of their 52-0 hammering at Craven Park and Smith soon brushed off a defender to force his way in for the opening score with Mennell adding the goal.
Batley kept up the pressure and Mennell and Handforth handled smoothly for Lindsay to cut through and score, Mennell missed the kick.
The surge continued, Smith and Henderson blasted their way downfield, helped by a penalty for ball stealing, and Handforth’s neat inside pass sent Mennell darting over and he also added the goal to make it 16-0 after 14 minutes.
Lindsay produced a fine piece of covering and excellent clearing run but Barrow hit back with Nathan Mossop forcing his way over and Paul Noone added the goal.
Batley should have increased their lead before the break but Mark Barlow and Ian Preece were unable to hold passes near the line and it was 16-6 at half-time after a very good half.
A good start against the slope was needed by the Bulldogs and they got it when Handforth sent a lovely little chip over. He was first up to hack on and Darryl Cardiss won the race to the ball and did exceptionally well to scoop it up and score. Mennell added an excellent goal and soon after landed a penalty goal.
Handforth almost got Jon Simpson in and a good run by Lindsay and quick hands nearly got Jonny Campbell clear.
But a run of three penalties and a couple of handling errors saw Barrow hit back. Zeb Luisi’s break put Andreas Bauer over. Noone missed the kick but added a touchline conversion when Andy Ellis forced his way in at the left corner to make it 24-16 and it seemed Barrow were on their way back.
Batley were again under the cosh but tackled particularly well near the line and they gained a scrum on their own 10-yard line after Barrow knocked on.
Lindsay took the ball from the scrum, brushed off a tackler to break clear and put his head back and went for it. As he neared the line Luisi began to overhaul him but Lindsay checked his run, handed off the Barrow man and plunged over for one of the best individual tries seen at The Mount for years. Mennell failed at goal but the impetus had swung very much back Batley’s way.
Maun made a tremendous burst, only stopped by an apparent high tackle, Handforth’s pass almost got Preece over before good hands across the line saw Handforth, Barlow and Handforth again handle for Craig Potter to crash over. Mennell added an excellent goal.
Batley were determined not to ease off. Handforth shaped to drop at goal but as Barrow hesitated, he dummied, cut through and sent the supporting Kris Lythe between the posts for Mennell to convert.
Barrow had Ned Catic sent off as he reacted angrily to a penalty against his side for a high tackle. He was initially yellow-carded but persisted and it was changed to red.
Batley finished with a flourish as Lindsay kicked high for the line. Gary Broadbent was there to cover but the ball bounced badly and Maun, who had never stopped his chase through, collected to race behind the posts. Barlow added the goal.
The only blight on a great afternoon for the Bulldogs and their supporters was that Gateshead had beaten Halifax. But if Batley maintain this form, they are a side to fear – and to watch.
Batley: Preece; Campbell, Barlow, Maun, Cardiss; Handforth, Mennell; Henderson, Lythe, Potter, Gallagher, Smith, Lindsay. Subs: Greenwood, Sipson, Tootill, Watson.
Barrow: Broadbent; Larkin, Bauer, Harrison, Nixon; Finch, Holt; McDermott, Ellis, Bracek, Catic, Noone, Luisi. Subs: Young, Butler, Beach, Mossop.
Referee: Mr Ronnie Laughton.
Attendance: 1,002.
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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
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