Batley Bulldogs 22 Halifax 32: Bulldogs are denied after Halifax turn form book upside down

THERE is something about sudden-death rugby league that brings out the best in Halifax.

The reigning Co-operative Championship champions may not have set the competition alight this season, but show them the faintest glimpse of a trophy and all bets are suddenly off.

Damian Ball’s side overturned a 0-4 record against Batley in 2011 to win the game that really mattered, dumping Karl Harrison’s side out of the play-offs on home soil.

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The visitors had certainly given as good as they got during a high quality opening quarter, but they suffered a series of blows in just a couple of minutes.

Full-back Miles Greenwood left the field with what looked like a rib problem, allowing Batley to capitalise with back-to-back tries through Ian Preece and Daley Williams, with Paul Handforth converting both.

But the visitors responded swiftly, with centre James Haley carving a perfect line through the defence on the right-hand side for Danny Jones to convert.

Halifax made a promising start to the second period and their pressure eventually paid off when Sean Penkywicz then improvised. His chip-kick over the top bounced over Preece’s head for Stephen Bannister to touch down, Jones converting to level the scores.

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Batley edged ahead again when Handforth kicked a penalty, but the visitors got themselves in front for the first time when, after good work from Ben Black, Rob Worrincy dived over, with Jones hammering over an impressive goal from the sideline to make it 18-14.

Penkywicz was next over for another converted try but the hosts reduced the deficit quickly when Dane Manning pounced on a loose ball to stretch over close to the corner flag, although, crucially, Handforth missed the conversion.

Soon Batley were back to within two points, after Preece stepped inside and out of Jones’s desperate tackle to score. But again the Bulldogs missed the conversion, this time Paul Mennell being the guilty party.

Halifax were then denied a try via the video referee, who chalked off Jacob Fairbank’s touchdown before Batley responded with a devastating attack of their own, but could not find a way through the resolute Halifax defence.

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Penkywicz then stabbed another kick through, Paul White hacked on and Beswick pounced for the touchdown to put some welcome distance – at least for Halifax – between the two sides.

Jones converted for a 30-22 lead with five minutes remaining and although Batley regained possession briefly, a great tackle from Beswick forced the ball free again as Fax closed the game out comfortably with a late penalty.

Batley Bulldogs: Preece, Rettie, D. Williams, Maun, Campbell, Handforth, Mennell, Smith, Lythe, Potter, Bretherton, Manning, Lindsey. Substitutes: Flanagan, Buttery, Walton, Robinson.

Halifax: Greenwood, White, Haley, Goddard, Worrincy, Jones, Beswick, S. Barlow, Penkywicz, Cherryholme, Clayton, Smith, Fairbank. Substitutes: Black, Aizue, Chandler, Bannister.

Referee: Clint Sharrard (RFL).

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