Batley 22 Dewsbury 10: Batley urged by Kear to be more ruthless after Rams derby win

The visitors were not left empty-handed though, as determined Rams hooker Jonathan Schofield had the final word when, on the stroke of time, he intercepted a pass and raced a full 50 metres to touch down and give the Rams a well-deserved bonus point.

It was a tough game throughout with Batley just edging the first half thanks to elusive wingman Greg Johnson who took advantage of some powerful forward play from Byron Smith and Ashley Lindsay to score the first half’s sole try.

Taking the ball 30 metres out he jinked his way upfield past two defenders and then raced between two more to touch down and give stand-off Tom Hemingway a comparatively easy conversion which he took.

But in the second half the Rams hit back with Matthew Tebb, Keiran Hyde and Schofield taking advantage of Batley’s unimaginative play to pose a number of threats.

It paid off when the ball was switched cleverly and Schofield chipped the ball precisely to the corner where it was accepted and swiftly touched down by wingman Dale Morton.

Bobby Goulding’s touchline conversion levelled the score and brought renewed hope for Dewsbury.

But they were swept away when Batley finally started to move the ball about from one side of the field to the other. It brought another slick unconverted try from the lively Greg Johnson and minutes later substitute Ben Black’s clever running unlocked the defence and allowed supporting second rower Liam Walmsley to race 20 metres to the line to score.

Gareth Moore converted and six minutes later he extended the lead by stepping past a number of puzzled defenders to touch down and convert that try also.

Schofield’s last-minute reply pleased Dewsbury coach Glenn Morrison for giving the Rams a bonus point.

But Batley counterpart John Kear was far from pleased with his team’s performance, especially in the second half. “We need to be more ruthless and disciplined” he said.

Batley Bulldogs: Potts; Campbell, Walton, Faal, G. Johnson; Hemingway, Moore; Smith, Flanagan, J. Johnson, Bretherton, Walmsley, Lindsay. Substitutes: Black, Hirst, Mennell, Rowe.

Dewsbury Rams: Pryce; Morton, Scott, Watkinson, Craven; Hyde, Goulding; Nash, Schofield, Hepworth, Hale, Olbison, Gallagher. Substitutes: Tebb, Coleman, Aizue, Lillycrop.

Referee: Dave Merrick (RFL).