BATLEY BULLDOGS 22 KEIGHLEY COUGARS 18
KEITH McGHIE, Fox’s Biscuits Stadium, Sunday
A LATE Nyle Flynn try gave Batley only a second win in eight games to revitalise their recently stuttering play-off ambitions.
The defeat was Keighley’s eleventh in succession and Halifax and North Wales – the two clubs docked twelve points for off-field problems – are the only ones below them.
But Ian Hardman’s men must be heartened by a much more impressive display in a game where defences ruled throughout the opening half.
The Bulldogs made two changes to the side who lost to Newcastle, with Jack Hudson back in the centres and Lucas Walshaw resuming on the bench after a broken wrist.
The Cougars made several positional changes with former Bradford winger David Foggin-Johnston coming in on the wing.
Jack Teanby, only just back after a shoulder injury, was prevented from making his 250th appearance by the first of a two-match suspension, while Leo Aliyu returned having also been missing for some time due to concussion complications.
Batley kicked off going down the slope and an early Ben Reynolds 40-20 was wasted when the ball went loose on the subsequent second play.
A largely even first 40 minutes ensued with Keighley impressing through with some good handling but struggling to force openings as Batley’s defence stayed firm.
Batley’s use of the hill was limited until young halfback Mitch Beedle’s swift change of direction was enough to create the half’s only score from twelve metres out on 17 minutes, Reynolds converting.
Keighley’s Matty Beharrell hurt his right ankle just before the break but managed to run the problem off following treatment.
Five minutes after the restart Alfie Dean took advantage of a missed tackle to stroll through and help level the scores – Beharrell adding the goal.
The second half was much more open, partly due to the introduction by Keighley of veteran hooker George Flanagan, who claimed a 55th-minute try converted by Beharrell.
Flanagan’s typically combative approach appeared to rattle some of the Batley team, causing some niggly incidents which went unpunished.
Having had a Dane Manning effort from a diagonal Reynolds’ kick ruled out – with Beedle sinbinned for dissent – Batley hit back when Derrell Olpherts took a Manning pass and burst through on the hour to score his 150th career try.
Reynolds surprisingly missed the target by inches with the subsequent kick, leaving Keighley still two points ahead, but momentum was now with Batley and Alistair Leak’s strong running earned a second try in four minutes, this time Reynolds improving it for 16-12.
A Beharrell 40/20 came just when Keighley needed it to create an attacking position, and Connor Sayner scored, with Beharrell’s kick edging his side two points ahead with seven minutes to go.
But on 78, just as success-starved Keighley fans were beginning to think of a win, Flynn determinedly crossed to leave them distraught. Reynolds tagged on the two.
GAMESTAR: Batley forward Dane Manning’s workrate and enthusiasm was key for the Bulldogs.
GAMEBREAKER: Nyle Flynn’s late try for the home team.
MATCHFACTS
BULLDOGS
1 Robbie Butterworth
2 Joe Burton
20 Jack Hudson
25 Derrell Olpherts
3 Ollie Greensmith
6 Ben Reynolds
28 Mitch Beedle
– Zach Fishwick
9 Alistair Leak
13 Robson Stevens
11 Dane Manning
15 Nyle Flynn
18 Evan Hodgson
Subs (all used)
12 Lucas Walshaw
14 Ben White
19 Jonah Parsons
27 Ronan Dixon
Tries: Beedle (17), Olpherts (60), Leak (64), Flynn (78)
Goals: Reynolds 3/4
Sin bin: Beedle (58) – dissent
COUGARS
1 Connor Sayner
19 David Foggin-Johnston
21 Alfie Dean
41 Mac Walsh
2 Brad Holroyd
6 Izaac Farrell
7 Matty Beharrell
11 Lucas Green
9 Oli Burton
40 Brad Clavering
26 Nathan Rushworth
42 Josh Jordan-Roberts
8 Dean Parker
Subs (all used)
14 George Flanagan
16 Leo Aliyu
17 Jordan Schofield
33 Emmanuel Waine
Tries: Dean (45), Flanagan (55), Sayner (73)
Goals: Beharrell 3/3
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0; 6-6, 6-12, 10-12, 16-12, 16-18, 22-18
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Bulldogs: Dane Manning; Cougars: Connor Sayner
Penalty count: 7-10
Half-time: 6-0
Referee: Lucas Seal