BATLEY MATCH REPORT

?Bradford Bulls fell to a 21-16 defeat at the hands of Batley Bulldogs yesterday afternoon.

Head Coach Mark Dunning made 4 changes to the side that started in Monday’s victory over West Yorkshire rivals Halifax Panthers, with Jayden Myers making his first Betfred Championship appearance.

David Foggin-Johnston and Ebon Scurr both returned to the starting 13, and Jack Bibby was handed his first start since his loan move from the Huddersfield Giants last week.

The game got off to a slow start, with both sights looking to win the early territorial battle. Jordan Baldwinson was forced off early for a head injury assessment, but would later return to the field.

Batley would get the first try of the game through Lucas Walshaw, who bundled his way over from close range.

Luke Hooley’s conversion was successful, and he was handed another opportunity from the tee after an accidental offside on the Bulls’ line.

Minutes before half time, Bradford received back-to-back penalties which carried them to within range of the Bulldogs’ line, which allowed them to put their first points on the board through Billy Jowitt, who scooted over from close range for his first of the campaign.

After Patton’s successful conversion, the sides went in at 6 points to 8, and the Bulls looked to work their way back into the game in the second period.

Following a closely-contested opening few sets, a scuffle broke out on the Bulls’ 20 metre line, which resulted in Dec Patton being sent to the sin bin despite an apparent headbutt from Batley’s James Meadows. Luke Hooley called for the tee, and extended the visitors’ lead to 6-10.

Despite the man disadvantage, it was the Bulls who would cross the line next, with David Foggin-Johnston flying in at the corner after some good work from Tom Holmes. With regular goalkicker Patton off the field, Jordan Lilley took over kicking duties and nailed his touchline conversion, giving Bradford the lead for the first time in the match.

Josh Hodson stretched out to ground the ball soon after, Luke Hooley continued his 100% success rate from the boot to give Batley the lead once more.

Hooley converted a further two penalties to put the game beyond Mark Dunning’s side, and Josh Woods looked to have put the game beyond Bradford with a drop goal.

Tom Holmes’ short kick off was claimed by David Foggin-Johnston, and the fullback darted over in the corner in the following tackle to give Bradford a glimmer of hope.

Attention now turns to next Saturday’s Betfred Challenge Cup clash with the Halifax Panthers, before a visit to Barrow Raiders on Sunday 7 May.

Bradford Bulls: Tom Holmes, Ben Blackmore, Jayden Myers, Kieran Gill, David Foggin-Johnston, Dec Patton, Jordan Lilley, Jordan Baldwinson, George Flanagan Snr, Ebon Scurr, Keven Appo, Bodene Thompson, Jack Bibby.

Interchanges: Josh Johnson, Billy Jowitt, Rob Butler, AJ Wallace.

Tries – Billy Jowitt, David Foggin-Johnston, Tom Holmes

Conversions – Dec Patton 1/2, Jordan Lilley 1/1

Yellow Cards – Tom Holmes

Batley Bulldogs: Luke Hooley, Aidan McGowan, Josh Hodson, Kieran Buchanan, Elliot Kear, Ben White, Josh Woods, Tom Lillycrop, Ben Kaye, James Brown, Dane Manning, Lucas Walshaw, Martyn Reilly.

Interchanges: James Meadows, Adam Gledhill, Nyle Flynn, Samy Kibula.

Tries – Lucas Walshaw, Josh Hodson.

Conversions – Luke Hooley 2/2

Penalty Goals – Luke Hooley 3/3

Drop Goals – Josh Woods