Swinton Lions 6 Batley Bulldogs 58: Batley set to face fire of the Dragons

Carnegie Challenge Cup

Batley Bulldogs went on an 11-try spree in their delayed Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth-round tie at Sedgley Park to reach their first quarter-final for 66 years.

Swinton were outclassed by their higher-ranked visitors as the Bulldogs cruised to a victory which earned them a home tie in the last eight against Super League side Catalans Dragons on Saturday, May 29.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Swinton, who lost 56-4 in the fourth round only to be reinstated when it emerged that their opponents Halifax had fielded an ineligible player, took a third-minute lead thanks to a try from Phil Joseph, goaled by Graham Holroyd.

But it was one-way traffic from then on with Danny Maun, Gareth Moore, James Martin, John Campbell, John Gallagher and Lee Greenwood all scoring tries before half-time.

There was no let-up from Karl Harrison's men in the second half, with Campbell and Greenwood doubling their tally and other tries coming from Craig Potter, Dave Tootill and Sean Hesketh. Moore kicked seven goals to finish with a personal haul of 18 points.

Meanwhile, before last night's game, Batley chairman Kevin Nicholas suggested his club would consider switching the quarter-final to Perpignan if they proceeded in order to make up for the revenue lost when their game against Halifax was postponed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Swinton Lions: Hawkyard, Hamilton, Grundy, Stewart, D. Hull, Holroyd, Govin, Newton, Watson, Johnson, Wingfield, Isherwood, Joseph. Substitutes: Foxen, P. Smith, C. Hull, Rigby.

Batley Bulldogs: Campbell, Barlow, Toohey, Maun, L. Greenwood, Handforth, Moore, Smith, Lythe, Hesketh, Walton, J. Gallagher, T. Gallagher. Substitutes: Buttery, Potter, Martin, Tootill.

Referee: G Hewer (Whitehaven).

CASTLEFORD TIGERS scrum-half Brent Sherwin, 32, is expected to complete a surprise switch to Catalans Dragons today while Leeds full-back Brent Webb is appealing his two-game ban at RFL headquarters this afternoon in the hope of being free to face Bradford Bulls on Sunday.

Related topics: