Bradford proved too strong for a determined Bulldogs team, and GUY ARMITAGE added to Batley’s suffering by scoring a hat-trick of tries.
Actually, if it weren’t for Batley’s outstanding defence and the Bulls’ subpar play, the winning margin should have been much larger than 26 points.
The Bulls were not sympathetic as they celebrated Joe Keyes’ 200th appearance in a baptism of fire for the Bulldogs’ temporary coaches Jaymes Chapman and Ben Kaye. Batley had arrived after coach Mark Moxon left midweek after last Sunday’s 50-12 loss to Doncaster.
The Bulls only made three changes, with Tom Holmes, Tyran Ott, and Ebon Scurr all into the starting 13. In contrast, the Batley coaching staff made five changes from Sunday’s loss, including the debut of Bradford loanee Jacob Bateman.
Bradford got out to a stronger start than the other team, attacking after two penalties and a goal-line drop-out, but the Batley defence held firm and kept the home team at bay.
After Jordan Lilley and Zac Fulton’s excellent effort set Holmes free, the Bulls appeared to have taken the lead, but the play was stopped for a forward pass.
Eventually, Bradford’s onslaught along the left edge put pressure on the Batley defence, and the ball found Matty Gee, who ran a fantastic line and sprinted over to score underneath the posts. Lilley’s conversion put the Bulls ahead by six points.
Five minutes later, Batley recovered as Bateman’s deft break down the right edge found Robbie Butterworth in support. Woods levelled the scores by adding the conversion.
Gee and Konrad Hurrell combined to throw Armitage over in the corner after Joe Keyes’ break created the field position for the Bulls to send the ball to the left. The Bulls now lead 12–6 after Lilley added the goal.
Keyes once more brought the ball to the centre of the Batley defence as the hooter was about to sound. He then made a deft pass that eluded Hurrell and found Armitage, who rushed across to score. The Bulls led by twelve points at the half after Lilley scored once more.
Lilley added to it with a penalty kick from in front of the posts five minutes after the interval.
Batley retaliated once more, with Brandon Moore coming very near and being stopped before a determined Bradford defence held Ollie Greensmith just short.
Twelve minutes from the end, Keyes again provided Armitage with a wide ball that found the winger 15 metres away and sent him racing over in the left corner. The Bulls increased their lead to 20 points, as Lilley continued to be flawless with the boot.
With three minutes left, Tom Holmes scored in the left corner after spotting a pass 20 meters out, scooting across the Batley line and dancing down the touchline. To make the final score 32–6, Lilley added the touchline conversion.
GAMESTAR: Although both Bradford halfbacks contributed, Joe Keyes was the Bulls’ man when they needed him and set up a number of tries that ultimately crushed the Batley spirit.
