Batley Bulldogs 8 Sheffield Eagles 14: Eagles complete Bulldogs double to stay top of the Championship

The Eagles took a first-half lead and never relaxed their grip on the game in a tense, low-scoring encounter.

Playing up the Batley slope and in torrential rain the Eagles made a great start with second row Michael Knowles touching down after Gareth Potts misjudged a high kick by Dominic Brambani.

A string of penalties gave Batley possession but they struggled to make an impact until John Davis’s pass put Ben Black in between the posts. Gareth Moore added the goal.

Eagles went back in the lead when Potts lost the ball in a one-on-one tackle with Patch Walker who touched down between the posts. Brambani added the goal.

Duane Straugheir had a ‘try’ ruled out as the Eagles kept up punishing pressure in difficult conditions to hold a 10-6 lead at half-time.

Eagles kept up the heat after the restart forcing Batley into errors and on the back of three straight sets Straugheir forced his way over to extend the lead.

Batley desperately needed a score but continued to struggle against strong Eagles defending with hooker George Flanagan held up between the posts when they did threaten.

The rain finally stopped and with 13 minutes to go Batley opted to kick a penalty with Moore’s goal narrowing the gap to six points.

Walker was wide with a drop-goal attempt and the Eagles kept calm and held on for the their 13th straight win.

Batley had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Batley Bulldogs: Greenwood; Potts, Walton, Faal, Greg Johnson; Black, Moore; Smith Mennell, Fleming, Davis, Walmsley, Lindsay. Substitutes: Flanagan, Rowe, Jos Johnston, Fairbank.

Sheffield Eagles: Laulu-Togagae; Turner, Yere, Armstrong, Taulapapa; Walker, Brambani; Green, Henderson, Stringer, Knowles, Straugheir, Hirst. Substitutes: Davey, Szostak, Garside, Higgins.

Referee: C Leatherbarrow (RFL).

Catalan Dragons have signed French junior international Benjamin Garcia, 20, a hooker or second rower, who is currently playing in Australia for Brisbane Broncos’ reserve team.