Batley 6 Dewsbury 21: Resolute defence sees Rams silence Bulldogs

A superb defensive display by Glenn Morrison’s men laid the foundation for the success and at one stage they defended 10 Batley sets in quick succession close to their own line.

When given the chance, attacking up the slope, Dewsbury proved clinical as they built up an 11-0 interval lead and they never looked like surrendering their advantage.

The visitors led inside two minutes when Batley knocked on and from the resulting attack, Anthony Thackeray produced a deft kick and centre Shane Grady pounced to go over for an unconverted try.

Shaun Ainscough produced a neat runaround after a kick rebounded into his arms, but he was superbly tackled into touch.

Having weathered the storm, Dewsbury broke upfield and a penalty gave them good field position.

Thackeray produced a neat short pass to send Joel Farrell storming over wide out.

Dale Morton was unable to convert but the winger landed a penalty soon after to put the Rams 10-0 ahead.

Dewsbury were forced to repel several Batley attacks before Thackeray sensibly slotted over a drop goal in the final minute of the half.

Batley attacked early in the second half, with James Brown tackled on the left.

Matty Wildie relieved the pressure with a 40-20 kick downfield and after Farrell’s strong drive was held close to the posts, Grady stepped over for his second try. Morton was again off target with the conversion attempt.

Bulldogs winger Wayne Reittie gave his side hope when he squeezed in at the right corner and Cain Southernwood added a terrific touchline goal, but Tom Hemingway eased Rams nerves with a long-range penalty goal.

Dewsbury sealed victory nine minutes from time when Wildie spotted a gap in the Bulldogs defence and raced over to spark celebrations among the Rams supporters.

Victory saw Dewsbury move into fourth spot in the Championship ahead of Monday’s mouthwatering clash which sees them host Morrison’s former club, Bradford Bulls.

Batley Bulldogs: Grayston; Reittie, Day, Squires, Ainscough; Southernwood, Nicholson; Hirst, Leak, Bretherton, Mitchell, Chandler. Substitutes: Blake, Lillycrop, Fozard, Brown.

Dewsbury Rams: Pryce; Morton, Crookes, Grady, Grant; Wildie, Thackeray; Hepworth, Hemingway, Jackson, Spicer, Hale, Brown. Substitutes: Smith, Farrell, T Adamson, Aizue.

Referee: Chris Leatherbarrow (RFL).