Batley Bulldogs 24 Bradford Bulls 24 - Patch Walker stays calm to earn Bulldogs a draw

Batley Bulldogs' Patch Walker kicked a last-gasp penalty goal to snatch his side a dramatic draw against Bradford Bulls.
Patch Walker.Patch Walker.
Patch Walker.

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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Kicking 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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But 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).