Batley 19 Bradford Bulls 26: Bulldogs denied famous win as Bradford strike with late tries

Bradford Bulls scored two tries in the final five minutes to deny Batley Bulldogs a famous Kingstone Press Championship win.
Cain SouthernwoodCain Southernwood
Cain Southernwood

Batley led the full-time Bulls 19-14 going into a dramatic final 10 minutes.

Cain Southernwood was narrowly wide with a 35m penalty, and Bradford launched an attack up the Mount Pleasant slope before Danny Williams touched down on the last tackle. Ryan Shaw’s conversion edged the Bulls 20-19 ahead, befre adding the extras to Chris Ulugia’s last-minute try.

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Bradford started brightly when stand-off Lee Gaskell showed a terrific turn of pace to burst through from inside his own 30, before Shaw crossed for a try he converted himself.

Batley replied with a Shaun Squires try, which Southernwood converted from wide out to level. Shaw landed a penalty to edge Bradford back in front, before converting Jake Mullaney’s try just before half-time to lead 14-6.

Batley’s response after the break was superb, Joe Chandler driving over for a try, converted by Southernwood.

Batley continued their momentum and from the next attack, Southernwood fed impressive scrum-half Anthony Nicholson, who switched play back inside for Keegan Hirst to drive for the line.

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The powerful prop carried several Bulls defenders over the line to touch down and Southernwood converted.

Johnny Campbell produced a magnificent try-saving tackle to take Ulugia into touch, and when Southernwood slotted over a drop goal, Bulldogs supporters were daring to dream of victory.

Southernwood’s missed penalty attempt in the 69th minute sparked a dramatic finale as Williams and Ulugia scored late tries to spare the Bulls’ blushes and deny Batley a famous home victory.

Batley Bulldogs: Grayston; Reittie, Ainscough, Squires, Campbell; Southernwood, Nicholson; Hirst, Leak, Rowe, Bretherton, Scott, Brown. Substitutes: Chandler, Gledhill, Hesketh, Mitchell.

Bradford Bulls: Mullaney; Williams, Shaw, Henry, Ulugia; Gaskell, Seijka; Clough, O’Brien, Swallow, Walshaw, Olbison, Pitts. Substitutes: Fleming, Tahroui, Lauaki, Conroy.

Referee: G Stokes (RFL).