Leigh Centurions 36 Batley Bulldogs 12: Low body count sees Bulldogs suffer at the home of in-form rivals

Karl Harrison’s busted Batley Bulldogs team found the trip to Leigh Centurions one game too far following a busy Easter period that has seen them low on numbers.

Despite a heavy defeat to their in-form Championship rivals, Harrison’s side could be proud of their efforts at the final hooter with the scoreline ultimately flattering the hosts.

Early on, the Bulldogs were undone by the good work of Jamie Ellis for Matty Blythe to crash through and while Leigh proved watertight at their end, they then doubled their advantage in the 18th minute when Stuart Donlan spun over.

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Batley introduced Georger Flanagan from the bench alongside Ash Lindsay and the pair improved the Bulldogs only to see Leigh score a third try through Ellis for Mick Nanyn to goal and move into the top 10 Rugby League point scorers of all time.

After mounting a lot of late pressure in the first half, it was Batley’s defence that caught the eye at the start of the second, holding Leigh up twice in-goal before the Centurions claimed a fortunate try from Donlan.

Batley then sparked to life with Paul Handforth directing traffic and when Craig Potter recovered a Leigh fumble, Wayne Rettie drove over in the corner for his fourth try of the season. Handforth goaled and then created a second try with a sublime grubber kick for Daley Williams but then Batley’s luck ran out.

A call from the referee prevented a score for Danny Maun after the centre appeared to be taken out and Leigh responded with late tries from Anthony Nicholson and Steve Nash for Martyn Ridyard to goal.

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Leigh Centurions: Donlan, Evans, Blythe, Nanyn, McGilvray; Ridyard, Ellis; Hill, Nicholson, Nash, Littler, Goulden, Taylor. Substitutes: Govin, Thornley, Higson, Mills.

Batley Bulldogs: Campbell, Reittie, Williams, Maun, Brown; Handforth, Preece; Smith, Lythe, Potter, Bretherton, Manning, Buttery. Substitutes: Flanagan, Lindsay, Hesketh, Tootill

Referee: T Roby (RFL).