Rochdale Hornets 14 - 24 Batley Bulldogs

Date published: 25 June 2017

Hornets lost a feisty game against Batley despite matching them for tries as the Bulldogs made the boot count.

Hornets made a great start to the game scoring the first try within minutes of kick off. From a scrum Jono Smith finds Lewis Galbraith who hit a peach of a line to touch down on the left. Yates couldn't add the extras from out wide.

It took Batley just ten minutes to take the lead as Pat Walker fed Adam Gledhill who went over under the posts. Gledhill with the two to give Batley the lead.

A lapse in concentration by Hornets allowed Batley to increase their lead; a superb offload from Dane Manning found Shaun Ainscough in support, he rounded Hornets full back, Declan Kay, to score. Gledhill again successful with his conversion.

Rochdale Hornets v Batley Bulldogs
Hornets celebrate a try scored by Lewis Galbraith in the first few minutes of the game

Rochdale Hornets v Batley Bulldogs
Gary Middlehurst in action for the Hornets

Rochdale Hornets v Batley Bulldogs
Jo Taira in action for Hornets

Controversy followed when Rob Massam crashed in under the posts for Hornets, and despite the touch judge awarding the try the referee ruled it out saying Massam was held up.

Following a number of indiscretions, including high shots, the referee finally put Batley on a team warning.

With half an hour played, strong build up allowed Foster to find Jake Eccleston who stepped inside to finish in the corner. A tough hooked his goal attempt from a very difficult position.

Batley added two more before half time when Hornets were penalised for offside at the play the ball and Walker hit the goal.

Half time: Rochdale Hornets 8 - 14 Batley Bulldogs

The opening ten minutes of the second half was a real arm wrestle as Hornets pressed to get back on terms and Batley pressed to increase their lead.

It was Hornets who broke the second half deadlock when Gary Middlehurst hit a short ball on the line, spun off a Batley defender and touched down to the right of the posts. Yates added the two to Hornets pull level.

Batley took back the lead, this time a lead they were not to relinquish, when Hornets were pulled for offside on their own line. Opting to go for goal, Walker hit the two.

Late in the game, a Hornets knock on under the posts allowed Batley's Alistair Leak to scores from dummy half. Walker converted to complete the scoring.

Rob Massam in action for Hornets

Dave Scott in action for Batley

Photos: Jackie Meredith

Rochdale Hornets: Jake Eccleston, Jordan Case, Lewis Gailbraith, Rob Massam, Lewis Foster, Danny Yates, Anthony Walker, Ben Moores, Gavin Bennion, Jono Smith, Josh Crowley, Gary Middlehurst.
Replacements: Ryan Maneely, Jovili Taira, Matty Hadden, Lee Mitchell.
Tries: Lewis Gailbraith, Jake Eccleston, Gary Middlehurst.
Goal: Danny Yates.

Batley Bulldogs: Dave Scott, Wayne Reittie, Danny Cowling, Jason Crookes, Shaun Ainscough, Pat Walker, Dominic Brambani, Adam Gledhill, Alistair Leak, Tom Lillycrop, Dane Manning, James Harrison, Bradley Day.
Replacements: Alex Rowe, Joel Farrell, James Davey, James Brown.
Tries: Adam Gledhill, Shaun Ainscough, Alistair Leak.
Goal: Adam Gledhill (2), Pat Walker (4).

Referee: L Moore

Highlights of Rochdale Hornets v Batley Bulldogs
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