Batley Bulldogs vs Halifax Panthers

 MATCH REPORT: Batley Bulldogs 30 – Halifax Panthers 18

The Halifax Panthers got their season under way with a tough defeat away to Batley Bulldogs

Every dog has their day and today’s was the Batley Bulldogs day as they got their season started in spectacular fashion with a 30 – 18 victory against the Halifax Panthers

This game was definitely a game of two halves as the first half was the Panthers for the taking as they drew first blood with big hit on a Batley player giving the Panthers possession and a quick play the ball from Lachlan Walmsley got Adam Tangata in perfect position to burrow his way over from dummy half.

 (Photo credit: Simon Hall)

Halifax gained traction with possession following a barrage of penalties helped piggy back them down the pitch and gained two further tries in the first forty.

Their second try came from Brandon Moore on the back of penalty with a text book scoot out of acting half for the captain.

The twenty four minute mark saw the Panthers go over the line again. Louis Jouffret with a pin point accurate grubber kick sending Joe Arundel over the white wash putting Halifax in a strong position at 0-16.

Batley’s only try in the first half came seemingly out of nothing, a looping pass to the left edge from George Senior seemed to be heading into touch, but Johnny Campbell managed to pluck the ball from the air and crash over in the corner, despite heavy attention from Jouffret.

The visitors went in at half time with a ten point lead, leaving the Bulldogs with some work to do in the second half.

Batley’s ground is notorious for its sloping pitch and it was the home team that would take the downhill advantage as the second forty minutes began

It took just two minutes for the home team to get over the try line again, but Johnny Campbells second try was chalked off for a double movement. This disappointment was short lived as just two minutes later Tom Gilmore kicked through the defensive line to Luke Hooley. Hooley still had work to do as he kicked it on further and followed it through for the try.

Both teams were the victims of their own undoing as penalties and errors were in abundance. Batley were the first team to go down to twelve men following a swinging arm on Titus Gwaze saw James Brown being shown a yellow card. The Panthers were unable to take advantage of this as they struggled to make any real go forward.

Joe Martin was the next player to see a yellow card taking a Batley player off the ball. Batley were quick to capitalise on this and following a quick succession of passes left to right sent Perry Whitley in for a try on debut, Gilmore added the extras taking the game to eighteen all.

Less than ten minutes later Joe Keyes was all sin binned following a high shot on Batley’s Josh Hodson, putting Halifax down to eleven men.

Batley’s onslaught continued as they capitalised on gaps in the Panthers defence with Michael Ward bulldozing his way over the line and Gilmore adding the two points, Giving Batley the lead for the first time in the game.

The momentum built for the home side, as they seemingly picked apart Halifax’s defence. James Brown opened up a gap with a dummy and a perfect inside ball finding Alistair Leak sending him over the line for Batley’s last try, Gilmore’s successful goal put the final nail in the Panthers coffin as the score ended 30-18 in the host’s favour.

Not a great day for the Panthers but Simon Grix men will take the tough lessons learnt from todays defeat and rebuild for next weeks home game as they face London Broncos. 

Batley Bulldogs: L.Hooley, P.Whiteley, J.Hodson, G.Senior, J.Campbell, J.Meadows, T.Gilmore, A.Gledhill, A.Leak, J.Brown, K.Buchanan, L.Walshaw, B.White. INT: J.Blagbrough, M.Ward, T.Lillycrop, L.Collinson.

Halifax Panthers: J.Martin, L.Walmsley, Z.McComb, J.Arundel, J.Saltonstall, L.Jouffret, J.Keyes, A.Tangata, B.Moore, D.Murray, B.Kavanagh, E.Barber, K.Larroyer INT: K.Wood, T.Gwaze, B.Knowles, E.Morris