Whitehead at the double in Boys defeat

The visitors began strongly and opened the scoring with a converted try.

Batley looked to respond with good attacking runs from forwards Gavin Davies, Nathan Lumb and Mark Grayshon taking them up the field.

Ryan Crossley and Adam Bingham produced good work from half-back and the ball was eventually moved out for Josh Whitehead to cross for his first try which Mick Dyson converted.

Doncaster hit back to regain the lead as they made good ground to cross for a second converted try which put them 12-6 up at half-time.

Batley put Toll Bar under pressure at the start of the second half with Jayjay Price, on his debut, making impressive yards in attack and was also solid in defence.

Doncaster grabbed a third converted try but Batley responded with good running from Sean Sheard, Aaron James and Rob Garforth leading to a second try of the match for Whitehead, again converted by Dyson.

Batley were back in the game at 18-12 but Doncaster finished strongly and crossed for an unconverted try to give them breathing space.

The visitors maintained the pressure and scored another converted try to seal a 13th straight victory which leaves them 14 points clear of second placed New Earswick Alll Blacks.

Boys man-of-the-match was debutant Price followed by Gavin Davies and Whitehead. Top tackler was Aaron James followed by Davies and Sean Sheard.

Batley lie fifth in the table, three points behind New Earswick with two games in hand.

They face an important game in the race for a top-two finish on Saturday when they welcome fourth-placed Allerton Bywater at Halifax Road.

Allerton are a point above Batley but have played three games more.

n Batley Boys Under-8s and Under-9s are gearing up for the new junior season and took part in a curtain raiser against Hunslet Warriors, before the Batley Bulldogs v Hunslet Hawks Championship match, at South Leeds Stadium last Sunday.

The youngsters enjoyed the game and are looking forward to the new campaign, which begins in March.