Batley Bulldogs 48 Widnes Vikings 16: Second-half blitz sees Bulldogs crush Vikings

A dominant second-half performance saw Batley Bulldogs claim their second victory of the Betfred Championship season with a 48-16 success against Widnes Vikings at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium.
Batley Bulldogs picked up their second victory of the season yesterday with a 48-16 success against Widnes Vikings. Picture: Bruce Fitzgerald.Batley Bulldogs picked up their second victory of the season yesterday with a 48-16 success against Widnes Vikings. Picture: Bruce Fitzgerald.
Batley Bulldogs picked up their second victory of the season yesterday with a 48-16 success against Widnes Vikings. Picture: Bruce Fitzgerald.

The Vikings raced into a 12-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes with converted tries from on-loan prop forward Eribe Doro and Kenny Baker before the momentum shifted to the Bulldogs.

First, Johnny Campbell collected Luke Hooley’s chip over the top to score out wide, then the hosts went almost the length of the pitch from a kick return before Josh Tonks forced his way over from close range.

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The visitors had the final say in the first half when Shane Grady offloaded to winger Owen Buckley, who touched down in the corner to make the half-time score 16-10 to Widnes.

It took five minutes of the second half for Batley to level the scores as Michael Ward charged through to score from 20 metres out.

From there Batley took control and further tries from Ben White, Dale Morton, Luke Hooley, Campbell and Jodie Broughton saw the home side take a commanding lead.

Dane Manning wrapped up the scoring with a try in the final minute to round off a resounding victory.

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Featherstone Rovers switched on the afterburners at home to Whitehaven, romping to a 48-14 success after leading 16-6 at half-time.

Dewsbury Rams handed Bradford Bulls’ Danny Brough a guard of honour ahead of his 500th club game last night but they gifted him very little else as the Championship rivals played out an enthralling contest.

Bradford, with Steve Crossley leading up front and winger David Foggin-Johnston producing some stunning moments, emerged victorious in the end - 35-14 - but a bruising encounter was far closer than the scoreline suggested.

In League One, Barrow edged a keenly-fought clash between two of the Betfred League 1 title favourites 12-6, thanks to two tries in the last 14 minutes after hosts Hunslet had led from midway through the first half.

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