Helped by a brilliant performance from two-try forward Lucas Walshaw (pictured above) and the expert kicking of Josh Woods, blistering starts to both halves – all four tries scored in the opening ten minutes of both halves – were enough to get the Bulldogs the win.

The Bulldogs scored their first two tries of the afternoon in the space of three minutes during the opening quarter. In the sixth minute, a Josh Woods bomb wasn’t dealt with by the hosts and the never-say-die attitude of Derrell Olpherts paid off as he patted the ball back into play for Dane Manning to touch down.

In the next set, Robson Stevens won a penalty and the territory they gained gave them a prime opportunity to notch back-to-back scores. Once again, it was Woods with the kick that caused the damage – a pinpoint effort on to the head of Lucas Walshaw who crossed the line. Reynolds converted both tries to put the visitors in the driving seat.

It may have taken a short time for Keighley to get a foothold in the game but when they did, they were more than a match for their West Yorkshire counterparts. Inspired by a 40/20 from former Bulldog Izaac Farrell, Keighley broke their duck with some lovely hands which led to Jacob Stead going over unopposed. Farrell added the conversion.

Farrell was at the heart of everything Keighley did well in the first half and his running game was just as much a threat as his kicking. The ex-Sheffield man spotted a gap in the Batley defensive line and despite being felled, the tackle wasn’t completed and he got back up to finish the move. He converted to level the game at 12-12, the score at the break.

In a carbon copy of the first half, Batley came out of the blocks firing with two tries. A bustling run from Walshaw, followed by an offload, had the Cougars’ defence at sixes and sevens which meant the quick feet of Oliver Greensmith helped outfox a number of defenders as the centre went over from 15 metres. Reynolds converted from in front.

A penalty for Batley in the first set put the Cougars on the back foot once more and the visitors’ attack was brimming with confidence. Nice hands from left to right outstripped the Keighley defence, the move ending with Walshaw walking over for his second of the game. Reynolds’ latest conversion put Batley 12 points ahead – 12-24 – after 49 minutes.

Lachlan Lanskey’s converted try on 59 minutes brought the Cougars back to within six points.

But in the final quarter, Batley extended their advantage to two scores by way of a Reynolds penalty goal following a ball steal on Nyle Flynn.

With ten minutes remaining, Keighley cut the deficit with rangy centre Max Clarke muscling over from close range.

Farrell’s conversion attempt was wide of the mark, leaving four points between the sides going into the latter stages.

Neither side had a clear-cut opportunity from then on as Batley held out for a crucial victory in their fight for a top ten spot.

GAMESTAR: Lucas Walshaw (pictured above) scored twice but made great metres every time he had the ball.

GAMEBREAKER: Ben Reynolds’ penalty goal gave Batley an eight-point lead and they were able to ride the subsequent wave of Keighley pressure.

  1 Connor Sayner

  2 Brad Holroyd

21 Alfie Dean

  4 Max Clarke

  5 Dylan Proud

  6 Izaac Farrell

23 Brandon Pickersgill

11 Lucas Green

13 Aaron Brown

17 Jordan Schofield

34 Jacob Stead

12 Lachlan Lanskey

27 George Hill

Subs (all used)

  8 Dan Parker

  9 Oli Burton

10 Jack Teanby

26 Nathan Rushworth

Tries: Stead (17), Farrell (29), Lanskey (58), Clarke (69)

Goals: Farrell 3/4

  1 Robbie Butterworth

  2 Joe Burton

14 Ben White

  3 Oliver Greensmith

25 Derrell Olpherts

  6 Ben Reynolds

  7 Josh Woods

17 Liam Kirk

  9 Alistair Leak

13 Robson Stevens

11 Dane Manning

12 Lucas Walshaw

15 Nyle Flynn

Subs (all used)

16 Michael Ward

18 Evan Hodgson

19 Jonah Parsons

27 Ronan Dixon

Tries: Manning (6), Walshaw (9, 49), Greensmith (44)

Goals: Reynolds 5/5

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12, 6-12, 12-12; 12-18, 12-24, 18-24, 18-26, 22-26

Cougars: Izaac Farrell; Bulldogs: Lucas Walshaw

Penalty count: 3-6

Half-time: 12-12

Referee: Kevin Moore