Buttery treble as Batley quash Giants’ threat
Batley Bulldogs 44
Huddersfield Giants 10
By Angela Walker
THE BULLDOGS cut the young Huddersfield Giants down to size with an emphatic victory at Mount Pleasant on Sunday.
The Giants’ first team played at Wigan the previous Thursday night so it was an enthusiastic team of rising stars that faced a strong Batley side featuring a fusion of familiar faces and recent imports.
The Bulldogs showed a ruthless streak on their way to eight tries. Several players will have made an impression on coach John Kear as the countdown to the Northern Rail competition begins in earnest.
None more so than lively scrum-half Tom Henderson who scored a try and three goals and was involved in much of the Bulldogs most creative play. Perhaps he was spurred on by the presence of Gareth Moore who returned to the Bulldogs and could be contender for the number seven shirt.
Chris Buttery also impressed as he forged a first senior hat-trick, coming off the bench he took up good positions to receive passes and was on hand to finish some fluent build-up play.
He also showed his willingness to put himself in the firing line as he completed his treble. He reluctantly had to leave the field to have stitches after a cut to his head.
Kris Lythe and Ben Black linked well to create several openings in a positive workout for the Bulldogs.
One of the most impressive young Giants was former Heckmondwike Grammar School pupil Elliot Gorman, who also played with Dewsbury Moor. The full-back was strong and inventive along with hard-tackling centre Joel Farrell, son of former Leeds player Anthony Farrell.
The Giants, playing uphill in the first half, showed they were a match for the Bulldogs as they held a marauding Mark Toohey just ahead of their line.
After 10 minutes Huddersfield took the initiative as Freddie Walker showed some good strength to elude the defence and dive over near the corner. Scott Owen’s conversion effort fell just short.
Lythe, playing at loose forward showed persistence to get the Bulldogs charging downfield, linking with Henderson and the imposing figure of Gareth Frodsham. Centre Daley Williams was also held up on the Giants’ line before Paul Mennell made a well-judged chip for Henderson to score the Bulldogs’ first try after 21 minutes.. He also added the goal.
Batley capitalised on a period of pressure which saw Lewis Palfrey held up but then the opening was created for Lythe to squeeze over. Shortly after Daley Williams made his mark as taking a pass from Danny Maun at speed he juggled it before diving over the line. Henderson converted to take the Bulldogs into an 18-4 lead after 31 minutes.
They were supported from a strong bench which allowed Buttery to drive over for another try and give Batley a 22-4 lead.
Gorman tried to get the Giants off to a flyer at the start of the second half but despite a break of 40 metres he tripped allowing the Bulldogs to make the tackle.
Batley maintained their momentum with a surge uphill in the 55th minute allowing Mennell to sell a dummy before slipping the ball for Mark Applegarth to score. Palfrey missed with his kick at goal.
The Giants did not surrender and tried to hit back with a number of attacks, with Farrell at the heart of them.
They were rewarded on the hour when Alistair Leek showed his pace before sending second row Jack Carvill to power over. Ben Whitehead added the extras to close the gap to 26-10.
Buttery added to his tally in the 70th minute as he picked up on Ben Black’s angled chip to score between the posts, leaving Palfrey an easy kick.
Five minutes later Buttery was not to be denied his treble as he was the final link in a move involving Lythe and Henderson. He got a stray boot in the side of his head as he touched down for a deserved hat-trick. Palfrey added the extras.
In the final minute Palfrey showed the tiring Giants a clean pair of heels to score unchallenged and leave himself a comfortable position to add the extras and seal a fine win.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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