Batley Bulldogs 24 Bradford Bulls 24 - Patch Walker stays calm to earn Bulldogs a draw
The Bulldogs trailed 24-12 with just 13 minutes remaining, but launched a fightback with tries from Keegan Hirst and Alex Brown to set up a thrilling finale.
When Alex Rowe was fouled in a tackle seconds before the final hooter sounded, Walker had a chance to snatch a share of the spoils with the last kick of the game.
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Hide AdKicking towards a stand packed with Bulls fans, Walker held his nerve and slotted over the goal to spark jubilant scenes among his team-mates.
Bradford struck first via winger Omari Caro and Danny Addy added a touchline goal, before Bulls loanee Chris Ulugia replied with a try, converted by Walker. The latter also added the extras to full-back Dave Scott’s try.
Bradford ended the first half on top and looked to have taken a grip on the match with two tries – from Dale Ferguson and Jay Pitts – to lead 18-12 at half-time.
Pitts looked to have grabbed a decisive try after 51 minutes and Addy converted.
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Hide AdBut Hirst returned from the bench to lead Batley’s stunning fightback with a Walker-converted try, before an overlap on the right saw Alex Brown race through and dive in at the corner.
Batley showed character to launch a final attack and when Rowe was fouled, Walker held his nerve to kick the penalty with the last kick of the game.
Batley Bulldogs: D Scott; A Brown, Cowling, Ulugia, Ainscough; Southernwood, Brambani; Hirst, Blake, J Brown, Chandler, Bretherton, Walker. Substitutes: Leak, Rowe, Gledhill, Lillycrop.
Bradford Bulls: Mathers; Clare, Blythe, Welham, Caro; Gskell, Addy; Clough, O’Brien, Lovegrove, Haggerty, Pitts. Substitutes: Mellor, Clark, Thomas, Crossley.
Referee: B Thaler (RFL).