Batley edge Whitehaven to keep up pressure on leaders Centurions
Batley Bulldogs maintained their impressive start to the new season as they edged a close game with Whitehaven 24-23 at the Fox's Biscuits Stadium.
Whitehaven took a while to get going and were not really in it during the first half and headed into the interval 16-6 down – despite them taking an early 6-0 lead.
Haven came roaring back in the second half and a late drop goal gave them a 23-22 lead, but Pat Walker held his nerve to convert a late penalty and edge Batley home.
The Bulldogs’ tries came from Dave Scott, Adam Gledhill and two by Alex Brown while the rest of the points came courtesy of Walker’s boot.
The result leaves Batley second in the table, level on points with leaders Leigh and a point ahead of Bradford Bulls who lost at Halifax.
For their part Leigh won 40-24 at Workington.
The Centurions edged a tight first half 16-14 but managed to pull away after the break. Jake Emmitt, Harrison Hansen, Tom Armstrong, Reni Maitua (2), Sam Hopkins and Fuifui Moimoi scored their tries with Martin Ridyard kicking five goals and Ben Reynolds kicking another.
Workington’s points came courtesy of two Chris Murphy tries and a try apiece from Jarrod Sammut, Brett Phillips and Jason Mossop while Sammut also kicked two goals.