DEWSBURY RAMS 26 BATLEY BULLDOGS 48
ALEXANDER FYNN, FLAIR Stadium, Sunday

A SECOND-HALF hat-trick from Robbie Butterworth was enough to shatter Dewsbury’s play-off hopes, sealing a top-ten finish for Batley who could bask in a double over their rivals for good measure.

The opening stages belonged to the Bulldogs, with repeat sets close to the line. Alistair Leak opened the scoring when he charged over from close range. Ben Reynolds converted, as he did every single Batley try.

Moments later, the Rams were quick to respond, scoring their opening try after some quick passing to feed Bailey O’Connor for the try, although he was unable to add the conversion.

The Bulldogs extended their lead when Butterworth made a line break, feeding Dane Manning who was able to dot down under the sticks. 

Batley continued to threaten the Rams’ line, and they got their third try when former Dewsbury man Ronan Dixon forced his way over the line after Reynolds had put him through. 

The Bulldogs then extended their lead to 20 points as the Rams were becoming their own worst enemy with errors aplenty, Manning offloaded to Dixon, and he was able to dive over for his brace.

Just on the cusp of half time, Joe Burton added another try for the Bulldogs as he was able to bounce off the Rams defenders before diving over almost right on the hooter.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first with the Bulldogs dominating. They scored their sixth try just three minutes after the restart as Butterworth dotted down from close range. 

The Rams got their second try of the game after Paul Sykes made a brilliant kick, which bounced kindly into Brad Graham’s hands for him to touch down, although O’Connor’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful once again. 

The Rams earned their third try of the game after having several sets close to the line and Joe Summers force his way over the line. Louie Walker had taken over the goal kicking and he converted the first of three successful attempts.

Butterworth then scored his second try of the game after Flynn offloaded to him and he managed to get over the line as the Bulldogs passed 40 points.

Ellis Lingard the fended off a posse of Batley defenders for the Rams’ fourth try as they hit 20 points.

And they closed the gap once again as Walker chased his own grubber to touch down in the corner, converting his own try from a tough angle.

The Bulldogs had the final say when Butterworth scored his hat-trick after Reynolds made a line break and offloaded to the fullback and he was able to score under the uprights for the final action of the game.

GAMESTAR: Robbie Butterworth scored a second-half hat-trick of tries.

GAMEBREAKER: Butterworth’s second try killed it for the Rams. 

MATCHFACTS

RAMS
29 Bailey O’Connor
19 Louie Walker
27 Connor Carr
4 George Senior
2 Tom Delaney
26 Paul Sykes
6 Dan Coates
18 Jack Briggs
7 Jacob Hookem
30 Ellis Lingard
23 Brad Graham
11 Joe Summers
35 Danny Addy
Subs (all used)
8 Luke Nelmes
13 Dec Tomlinson
17 Harvey Roberts
21 Monty Lumb

Tries: O’Connor (6), Graham (47), Summers (54), Lingard (61), Walker (69)
Goals: O’Connor 0/2, Walker 3/3

BULLDOGS
1 Robbie Butterworth
2 Joe Burton
20 Jack Hudson
3 Ollie Greeensmith
25 Derrell Olpherts
6 Ben Reynolds
14 Ben White
12 Lucas Walshaw
9 Alistair Leak
13 Robson Stevens
11 Dane Manning
15 Nyle Flynn
18 Evan Hodgson
Subs (all used)
19 Jonah Parsons
27 Ronan Dixon
28 Mitch Beedle
– Zach Fishwick

Tries: Leak (4), Manning (25), Dixon (32, 38), Burton (40), Butterworth (43, 58, 80)
Goals: Reynolds 8/8

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 4-6, 4-12, 4-18, 4-24, 4-30; 4-36, 8-36, 14-36, 14-42, 20-42, 26-42, 26-48

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Rams: Louie Walker; Bulldogs: Robbie Butterworth

Penalty count: 12-8
Half-time: 4-30
Referee: Luke Bland