Batley Bulldogs 26 Sheffield Eagles 16: Bulldogs show teeth to clinch last-four slot

But they had to withstand a second-half barrage from Sheffield Eagles, who made good use of the Mount Pleasant slope.

The Eagles had opened the scoring when they controlled the slippery ball long enough for scrum-half Aaron Groom to send loose forward Dane McDonald slicing through the defensive line to score.

After good work from Byron Smith and Kris Lythe, Batley prop Sean Hesketh powered his way through several defenders to score near enough to the posts for Gareth Moore to convert.

It was substitute prop David Toothill who triggered the scoring spree by breaking several tackles before finding Craig Potter who brushed off several more defenders to dive over.

Another damaging run from Toothill provided the platform for supporting full-back Jonny Campbell to burrow over and two minutes later Moore and debut-making Mick Govin combined smartly to provide an opening for Ash Lindsay.

Prompted by half-backs Brendan Lindsay and Groom, the Eagles pack launched a succession of attacks which brought converted tries for Craig Cook and Gary Mills but Batley stuck to their task to deny them further points and a place in the last four.

Batley Bulldogs: Campbell; Brown, Toohey, Maun, Greenwood; Handforth, Moore; Smith, Lythe, Hesketh, Walton, J Gallagher, Lindsay. Substitutes: Govin, Potter, Buttery, Toothill

Sheffield Eagles: Taulapapa; Mills, Yere, Ropati, Barnett; Lindsay, Groom; Haley, Cook, Stringer, Exton, Green, McDonald. Substitutes: Corcoran, Barlow, Hepworth, Rowe.

Referee: R Hicks (Oldham)