Dewsbury Rams 20 Batley Bulldogs 36: Batley profit from England’s exit and move top by defeating Rams

The match hinged on the 20th-minute dismissal of Rams front-row Anthony England.

Although the home side battled to the bitter end, the Bulldogs made the extra man count to rattle up six tries and a 16-point victory that prevented their rivals from adding a bonus point.

Bulldogs coach Karl Harrison was happy to take the three league points but was not so pleased with his side’s performance saying he was left feeling “very, very frustrated”.

Though this was their fifth win in six outings, their best start in the league since 2004, Batley were often rattled by the Rams and made a succession of errors.

Captain and man of the match Paul Handforth blamed himself for some of the misfiring, saying his kicking game let the team down.

“We played quite dumb but we will try to put things right,” said Handforth.

Elliot Cosgrove gave Dewsbury an early lead with a try converted by Dominic Brambani whose penalty then stretched their lead.

But Batley, now a man up, broke the Rams’ defence in the 32nd minute with a try by David Tootill, converted by George Flanagan. Jason Walton’s try, goaled by Flanagan, gave the Bulldogs a 12-8 half-time lead.

The Rams briefly held a 14-12 lead when Brambani darted over to score and converted but Batley began to grind out opportunities and tries followed for Dane Manning, Danny Maun and Alex Brown.

The Rams refused to lie down and Rob Spicer replied with a try five minutes from time that looked to have secured a bonus point only for Flanagan to burrow over for a touchdown for Batley right at the finish.

Dewsbury Rams: Turner, Wainwright, Cosgrove, Smith, Buchanan, Walker, Brambani, England, Blake, Hirst, Spicer, Lockwood, Tonks. Substitutes (all used): Bibb, Horton, Menzies, Broughton.

Batley Bulldogs: Campbell, Brown, Williams, Maun, Reittie, Handforth, Preece, Smith, Lythe, Potter, Bretherton, Manning, Lindsay. Substitutes (all used): Walton, Hesketh, Tottill, Flanagan.

Referee: T Roby.