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Batley Bulldogs 30 Widnes Vikings 30: Vikings steal share of the points to cancel out good start from Batley
A second-half revival saw Widnes Vikings share the spoils after Batley Bulldogs looked set for a remarkable victory.
The Bulldogs proved almost unstoppable as they moved to a 24-10 scoreline during the first half with their pack winning the forward battle and speedy backs cashing in on the openings which resulted.
Ian Preece, Johnny Campbell, James Martin and Lee Greenwood all crossed for converted touchdowns forn the home side in what was proving to be a pulsating encounter.
But the Vikings bounced back as Ben Kavanagh crossed twice in the dying moments of the half to bring up a 24-16 interval scoreline.
And though Batley full-back Campbell notched his second try shortly after the restart the Vikings were repeatedly let off the hook by a succession of Batley errors and tough refereeing decisions.
With pressure reduced, Widnes winger Shaun Ainscough was able to cross for two superb tries and stand off Anthony Thackeray returned from the sinbin to apply the killer blow with a try three minutes from time. Ironically, goalkicker Shane Grady who had failed to convert the previous three tries had no trouble adding the conversion for the draw.
And that was hard on Batley goalkicker Gareth Moore who had landed five conversions from the touchline but had failed to give Batley an extra cushion with a straightforward penalty goal.
The Bulldogs' ill luck continued into the final minute when stand off Paul Handforth attempted a drop goal for an extra point only to see the ball ricochet off course.
Batley Bulldogs: Campbell; Preece, Barlow, Maun, Greenwood; Handforth, Moore; Smith, Lythe, Hesketh, Buttery, Potter, Lindsay. Substitutes (all used): J. Gallagher, Toothill, Martin, Walton.
Widnes Vikings: Ford; Ainscough, Kohl-Love, Grady, Gardner; Thackeray, Webster; Pickersgill, Smith, Gannon, Doran, Allen, Gerrard. Substitutes (all used): Kavanagh, Houghton, Farrell, Davies.
Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven)
Championship winners Barrow saw off Blackpool 34-8 with Liam Campbell claiming two of their five tries.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
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