Batley defy odds to end 86-year wait for success

Two-try Alex Brown proved the hero as his 78th-minute effort earned Batley a 25-24 success over holders Widnes Vikings in the Northern Rail Cup final at Blackpool.

The Heavy Woollen club produced an unlikely comeback to stun much-fancied Widnes and Harrison could not contain his delight following a memorable day for the Gallant Youths.

"I am so pleased for those guys in there," said Harrison, pointing towards the dressing room.

"I'm proud of every one of them and so delighted for everyone involved here behind the scenes at the Batley club.

"Batley have not won a trophy like this since 1924 so, for this group of local players, recruited in a short space of time, it is an outstanding achievement.

"To do it against the mighty Widnes Vikings, and coming back from being 24-15 down to win it with two tries, was tremendous.

"The fans were fantastic – get 2,000 Batley supporters in one place at one time and they make a hell of a lot of racket.

"When the boys were down they got them back up again and it's just been a great day for everyone involved."

Part-timers Batley, who have one of the smallest budgets in the Championship, had surged into a 12-0 lead early on but were soon pegged back and an error-ridden start to the second period seemed set to cost them.

But Brown scored his first try on 67 minutes and Harrison's gutsy side re-discovered themselves.

"We weren't the greatest today but Widnes weren't either," he said.

"You get that in finals sometimes and we made too many basic mistakes to let them in.

"But we showed great character and there was some real big individual efforts to force Widnes into errors.

"My big guys muscled up well against a bigger team and our half-backs were sensational while Alex Brown showed great composure to take both his tries."

Batley – whose previous significant triumph was the Championship Trophy 86 years ago – could theoretically now apply for a Super League licence.

Harrison joked: "I'm going to write it myself tonight in the Frontier Club on the back of a beer mat.

"I'll post it to (RFL chief executive) Nigel Wood tomorrow morning."

He added: "Let's be realistic and let's just enjoy the moment – Batley Bulldogs have won the 2010 Northern Rail Cup final.

"We've no ambitions to go in Super League. We're happy staying in the Championship and that's what Batley's about."