Workington 24 Batley 16: Impressive Town dent Bulldogs’ ambitions

Struggling Town’s third win in a row has given them a great chance of beating the drop.

The breakthrough came after 17 minutes when Peter Lupton was able to squeeze through from short range for the opening try, which Carl Forber converted.

It was no real surprise when Town added to their lead on 25 minutes. Four defenders stopped Jack Murphy on the line but when Town moved the ball again, Karl Olstrum finished off.

Batley completed the half strongly and, on 31 minutes, Scott Leatherbarrow’s kick on last tackle struck a Workington post and in the scramble that followed Sam Scott went over with Leatherbarrow converting.

On the hooter, Miles Greenwood slipped through the Workington defence for Leatherbarrow to convert.

Shortly after the break, Lupton dived in for the touchdown with Forber again converting. Jason Mossop added another try on 59 minutes, but, once again, Batley finished the half strongly, althought it was not until the 78th minute that they enjoyed some success, Ben Black slipping over for a try, with Leatherbarrow’s hurried conversion flagged wide.

They were desperate to get one more penetrative attack, but Town stood firm and were in possession in the Bulldogs’ half at the final hooter.

Workington: Murphy, Manfredi, Mossop, Hulme, Carter, Lupton, Forber, Coward, Mattinson, McAvoy, B. Phillips, Stack, Farrell. Substitutes: Olstrum, Szostak, Rowlandson, C. Phillips.

Batley Bulldogs: Greenwood, Reittie, Faal, Chandler, Brown, Black, Scott, Leatherbarrow, Smith, Blake, Gledhill, Bretherton, Scott, Applegarth. Substitutes: Nicholson, Rowe, Hirst, Martin.

Referee: C Leatherbarrow.