Rampant Rovers stun disaapointing Bulldogs
Featherstone Rovers 36
Batley Bulldogs 10
THE Bulldogs’ hopes for a bright start to the Co-operative Championship campaign were wrecked by a rampant Rovers side at Post Office Road.
The only bright feature for a disappointing Batley side was that they showed welcome spirit and determination in the second half after appearing to be in for a hiding when they trailed 24-0 at the break.
As it was the margin was big enough and the game was a warning that the Bulldogs are going to have to be much sharper, smarter and stronger if they are to achieve their aim of a top-six finish rather than be involved another relegation struggle.
Stand-off Paul Handforth tried hard to change things in the second half and his kicking game was sound. Jason Walton came on to make his presence felt with some hard running and scored his first try for the club while James Martin also worked hard but generally Batley were well held.
The confidence gained from their good run in the Northern Rail Cup was soon slipping away as Rovers, splendidly led by scrum-half Liam Finn, went 12-0 up in only 11 minutes, finding it remarkably easy to open the Bulldogs’ defence.
After only three minutes a quick ball from Finn sent Ian Hardman driving past a number of defenders.
Finn then started a move which again carved Batley open with alarming ease and led to Kyle Briggs sending Matt Dale over. With Briggs adding both goals, the Bulldogs were already up against it.
Batley dug in for a time and kept the home side at bay until substitute Andy Kain chipped towards the wing and the ball bounced badly, giving visiting defenders no chance, and Liam Welham grabbed the easy chance to go between the posts for Briggs to convert.
Just on half-time, Batley’s hopes sank when Finn cut them wide open to launch a move which saw the ball moved across the line for Jon Steel to go in at the corner. Briggs added an excellent touchline goal and the Bulldogs were out of it.
The Bulldogs lifted spirits early in the second half when a quick ball by Kris Lythe sent Walton charging over out wide and Gareth Moore added a fine goal.
Despite an improved performance in the second half Batley rarely looked like adding to their score but at least they made a game of it and suggested they might snatch a bonus point.
However, Featherstone struck again as a good break sent Steel in for his second try. Briggs added the goal.
Another strong drive by Walton and neat pass sent Jonny Campbell racing over for an unconverted try but Featherstone inevitably had the last word when Hardman linked up to score his second try with Briggs making it six goals out of six. Batley clearly will have to improve to achieve their top-six target.
Featherstone Rovers: Hardmann; Steel, Coady, Welham, Saxton; Briggs, Finn; Tonks, Lee, Dickens, Grayshon, Dale, Field. Subs: Morrison, Divorty, Kain, Manninng.
Batley Bulldogs: Campbell; Preece, Barlow, Maun, Greenwood; Handforth, Moore; Smith, Lythe, Hesketh, Potter, Buttery, Toohey. Subs: Lindsay, Walton, Martin, Tootill.
Referee: Robert Hicks.
Attendance: 1,353.
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Weather for Batley
Friday 25 May 2012
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