Batley Bulldogs 30 Workington Town 6: Batley to face Leigh, as Eagles meet Dons

Batley’s persistence helped them build a healthy 10-0 half-time lead against tough opponents thanks to the creative skills of half-backs Ben Black and Gareth Moore.

Black used his evasive skills to create the opening try, jinking through the defensive line and sending prop Dan Fleming over the line despite tacklers hanging around his shoulders.

Moore created the second try with an evasive break and a well-judged kick to the corner which was snapped up by lively wingman Greg Johnston who raced upfield to touch down and set up the 10-0 interval score.

But it was the pulsating second-half tries which had supporters roaring their approval. It started when winger Johnny Campbell snapped up a Workington kick almost on his own line, evaded the closing tacklers and spurted downfield.

He outwitted the final defender on the halfway line and then raced away to score a try converted by Moore.

Two minutes later stand-off Black stretched the lead as he produced some superb interpassing with second rower Liam Walmsley before touching down for a further converted try.

Workington finally got on the scoreboard when winger Elliott Miller beat Batley full-back Miles Greenwood to a kick which landed over the line but it brought little satisfaction.

Within two minutes Moore had landed a penalty goal – the 700th point he has scored for Batley during his career – and added another six points three minutes later when he combined with Alex Rowe and half back partner Black to completely outwit defenders and touch down for a try between the sticks to which he added 
the conversion on the stroke of time.

Batley will play Leigh in the last four, while Sheffield and Doncaster will meet in the other semi-final, with one of the matches taking place on Thursday, June 27 and the other over the weekend of June 29.

Batley: Greenwood; Campbell, Walton, Faal, Johnson; Black, Moore; Smith, Mennell, Fleming, Bretherton, Walmsley, Lindsay. Substitutes: Flanagan, Hirst, Davies, Rowe.

Workington: Carter; Miller, Mossop, Morris, Calderwood; Connor, Phillips; Dowes, Mattinson, Coward, Phillips, Shackley, Lupton. Substitutes: Forber, Acton, Robinson, Thackray.

Referee: G Stokes (RFL).