Batley Bulldogs 12 Dewsbury Rams 13: Sykes clinches win with drop goal

Batley's Daniel Cowling and James Harrison tackle Dewsbury's Billy Hayes. Picture: SWpix.com

A Paul Sykes drop goal settled a scrappy Heavy Woollen derby as Dewsbury Rams pipped rivals Batley Bulldogs 13-12 in Sunday's Summer Bash climax.

Batley actually outscored their neighbours, three tries to one, but eight points from the boot of James Glover proved decisive for the Rams.

Glover kicked two Dewsbury penalties, either side of Danny Cowling’s try, before further unconverted scores from Wayne Reittie and James Harrison to lead 12-4.

Dewsbury scored their only try of the game in the 49th minute, via Aaron Brown, Glover adding the conversion, before making it 12-12 with a penalty.

And it was left to Sykes, with his 60th-minute drop goal, to secure a rare win for strugglers Dewsbury.