Sheffield 10 Batley 24: Troubled Eagles fail to deal with Bulldogs

Eagles, looking to end a run of four straight defeats, took a ninth-minute lead through Quentin Laula Togagae, converted by Cory Aston.

But Batley soon responded through Keegan Hirst’s touchdown (20) improved by Pat Walker. And when Walker added a penalty on 36, it gave the visitors a lead they never relinquished.

Greg Minikin got Batley’s third try in the last minute of the half, with Walker adding the goal to give Bulldogs a 14-6 interval lead.

Five minutes after the restart, Eagles reduced the gap through George Tyson’s unconverted try, but five minutes after that, quick hands saw centre Minikin put his winger Wayne Reittie in at the corner to restore Batley’s eight-point advantage. With six minutes to go, Joe Chandler forced his way over, with Walker tagging the extras to keep John Kear’s men in the hunt for a top-four finish.

Sheffield: Laulu-Togagae, Worrincy, Yere, Blackmore, Millar, Aston, Jacks, Thorpe, Carlile, Neal, James, Straughier, Knowles. Substitutes: Fozard, Wheeldon, Tyson, Mexico.

Batley: D. Scott, Reittie, Minikin, Ulugia, A. Brown, Southernwood, Brambani, Hirst, Davey, Gledhill, Chandler, Bretherton, Blake. Substitutes: Day, Walker, Hesketh, J. Brown.

Referee: C Straw (RFL).

Catalans Dragons forward Justin Horo is just sixth months into a two-year contract, but is already thinking about finishing his career in the south of France.

The former Parramatta and Manly centre or second rower, who turns 30 in September, has been a key figure in his debut season with the Dragons, who have the chance to consolidate their place in the Super League’s top-four when they host St Helens in Perpignan.

“I’m loving it,” said Horo. “I signed for two years but I’d like to stay another couple after that.”