BATLEY BULLDOGS 24 NEWCASTLE THUNDER 28
KEITH McGHIE, Fox’s Biscuits Stadium, Sunday

NEWCASTLE rode their luck and came from behind to snatch a last-gasp 13th successive league win.

The score by Brad Ward, converted by Myles Harrison, did little to reward Batley for the effort they put in, especially going uphill in the second half, and ensured a sixth defeat in seven games for the still play-off hopefuls.

The Bulldogs had ended a five-match losing streak by winning at Swinton the previous week and were bolstered by Derrell Olpherts returning from his lengthy suspension.

Jack Hudson dropped out due to concussion protocols while Felix Ellis failed to recover from the shoulder injury suffered at Heywood Road. 

Thunder, who had beaten Batley in two earlier meetings this season, made two significant changes with Jack Smith and Andy Djeukessi coming in.

At an overcast but still very warm stadium, Joe Law gave the high-flying visitors the lead following a fairly even start, although Harrison pulled the goal attempt just wide.

Djeukessi knocked on collecting a kick and, from the resultant set, Dane Manning scrambled over wide out, with Ben Reynolds converting well for a 6-4 home lead.

Djeukessi put a foot in touch when trying to give Newcastle the advantage, then Robson Stevens was held up at the other end.

Alistair Leak, just on as a substitute, spun round from dummy-half to extend the hosts’ advantage, Reynolds adding the two, before back-to-back tries from Bailey Antrobus and Will Roberts, both improved by Harrison, overturned the score.

Roberts’ spectacular strike came after halfback partner Jordan Lipp broke clear from halfway with his teammate quickly up in support to finish under the posts.

Newcastle, who frequently looked dangerous with ball in hand, even playing up the slope, held a 16-12 half-time lead.

Batley, by now going uphill, could thank Olpherts’ sleight of hand for putting Ollie Greensmith over wide out soon after the restart, Reynolds converting.

Ronan Dixon added to the lead, scoring when powering through a clutch of defenders to add another try, with Reynolds remaining on point with his kicking for 24-16.

The game was held up when Batley’s Michael Ward was helped off for a head assessment and, as Newcastle struggled to regain their composure, hard work in defence kept Batley in front.

Twelve minutes from time, John Sagaga was held up but Smith crossed later in the set to help narrow the gap, with Harrison’s touchline conversion setting up a grandstand finish.

With just over a minute left, the ball was sped to the left for Ward, on the overlap, to dive in at the corner and brake brave Batley’s hearts.

Harrison’s fourth successful kick from five was academic, as was the apparent elbow to the face of an opponent which earned Dane Manning a late sinbinning.

GAMESTAR: Newcastle forward King Vuniyayawa’s workrate caught the eye.

GAMEBREAKER: Brad Ward’s late try for Thunder.

MATCHFACTS

BULLDOGS
1 Robbie Butterworth
2 Joe Burton
19 Jonah Parsons
25 Derrell Olpherts
3 Ollie Greensmith
6 Ben Reynolds
28 Mitch Beedle
25 Zach Fishwick
14 Ben White
13 Robson Stevens
11 Dane Manning
15 Nyle Flynn
21 Luca Atkinson
Subs (all used)
9 Alistair Leak
16 Michael Ward
18 Evan Hodgson
27 Ronan Dixon

Tries: Manning (12), Leak (21), Greensmith (42), Dixon (47)
Goals: Reynolds 4/4
Sin bin: Manning (79) – use of elbow

THUNDER
25 Jack Smith
2 Andy Djeukessi
3 Joe Law
1 Myles Harrison
5 Brad Ward
27 Jordan Lipp
7 Will Roberts
10 Ryan Jackson
22 John Sagaga
15 Brenden Santi
8 Bailey Antrobus
11 Harvey Reynolds
17 King Vuniyayawa
Subs (all used)
12 Noah Whittingham
18 Ukuma Ta’ai
20 Mitch Clark
33 Alfie Horwell

Tries: Law (7), Antrobus (25), Roberts (27), Smith (68), Ward (79)
Goals: Harrison 4/5

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 6-4, 12-4, 12-10, 12-16; 18-16, 24-16, 24-22, 24-28

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Man of the Match
Bulldogs: Alistair Leak; Thunder: King Vuniyayawa

Penalty count: 6-7
Half-time: 12-16
Referee: Scott Mikalauskas
Attendance: 1,237