Batley Bulldogs 38 - 36 Rochdale Hornets

Photo: Mark Harris

Batley Bulldogs v Rochdale Hornets

An outstanding comeback by Batley Bulldogs piled the pressure on Rochdale Hornets as Batley overturned a 24 point deficit as Hornets crumbled in the final quarter of a pulsating game.

Hornets dominated the early stages and Jono Smith crossed the line after just four minutes only for the referee to chalk the try off for a forward pass.

Persistent Hornets pressure soon paid off though as a short side play lead to Rob Massam scoring in the corner. Harvey Livett converted.

Hornets’ strong start continued and good handling resulted in Livett crashing over by the touch line. Livett pulled his conversion attempt.

Midway through the first half and it had been all Hornets, and two tries soon became three as a peach of a cut out pass by Andre Savelio put Jake Eccleston through a gap; Eccleston fed Ben Julien to score. Livett added the extras.

After last week's tame display against Toulouse, Hornets had the aggression back in their game, however, after conceding four penalties in quick succession the referee talked to the Hornets captain and Batley had their first real opportunity of the game. They took full advantage as Macauley Hallett went over in the corner after good play by Tom Holmes to set him free. Dominic Brambani failed with his conversion attempt.

Hornets hit back quickly and a knock on by Batley in their own half led to the fourth Hornets try - Lewis Galbraith using brute strength to score. Livett successful with a tricky kick from the touchline.

With half an hour played Hornets had controlled most of the game, forcing Batley to start every set deep in their own half. However, the Hornets Achilles heel struck again as yet another penalty led to a second Batley try. Hornets were penalised for a shoulder charge - and the referee placed them on a team warning - and James Harrison fed Sam Smeaton to score. Brambani again failed with his conversion attempt.

Minutes later and another penalty gifted Batley a scoring opportunity and saw Jono Smith sin-binned - though the referee sin-binned the wrong player! Batley made the most of the opportunity as Brambani kicked to the corner and Hallett pounced to get his second of the afternoon. Brambani's conversion attempt missed again.

In the closing minutes of the half Batley came close with a carbon copy of their third try as Brambani kicked to the corner again but this time the ball went into touch before a Batley player could pounce.

Just before the half time hooter, Hornets gave another penalty away - and things got tetchy as players squared up - but Brambani failed to make the most of the opportunity as his penalty failed to find touch.

Half time: Batley Bulldogs 12 - 22 Rochdale Hornets

The second half started much as the first, with Hornets quickly on the attack and a good set resulted in Hadden scoring. Livett added the two with an easy kick from in front of the posts.

Wayne Reittie fumbled a grubber kick and knocked on, giving Hornets possession on Batley 10 metre line, but this time the Batley defence prevailed. However, within minutes Batley's James Brown was sin-binned for a shoulder charge and Hornets opted to kick for the posts from the penalty. Livett adding a further two to the Hornets tally.

Fifteen minutes into the second half and Hornets increased thier lead when Jack Johnson walked through the middle of the Batley defence to cross the whitewash. Livett again successful with the conversion to give Hornets a 24 point lead.

Batley could have been forgiven for letting thier heads drop but they kept at it and were rewarded when Smeaton scored his second try of the game after Hornets knocked on from the kick off return. Brambani unable to convert.

The Batley resurgence continued when Will Maher got on the end of a short pass and marched his way to the line to score his first of the season. This time Brambani converted.

A penalty on the Hornets ten metre line for a high tackle gave Batley a big opportunity to make further inroads into the Hornets lead. Lillycrop kicked and managed to force a goal-line dropout, but Hornets found touch with the kick to keep possession.

Into the final quarter and still with all to play for, Batley pushed hard for the Hornets line but Hayward was tackled on the last just metres from the Hornets line and the ball was handed over.

A scrappy five minutes ensued with both sides conceding penalties before Ainscough broke away for Batley and was only halted by a 'professional' foul that saw Hadden sin-binned.

Batley made 12 man Hornets pay as Tom Holmes spread the ball wide for Ainscough to score. Brambani falied to convert leaving his side still ten points behind with seven minutes to play.

From the kick off Batley got a penalty for a high tackle on Alex Rowe deep inside the Hornets half and Holmes once again set Ainscough free to score again in the corner. Brambani converted from the touch line to bring Batley within four points of Hornets with still four minutes to play.

The Batley comeback was completed in controversy as Lillycrop crossed the line next to the posts after he appeared to knock on. Brambani converted to give Batley the lead for the first time in the game, with the hooter just two minutes away.

Batley Bulldogs: Michael Hayward, Wayne Reittie, Sam Smeaton, Macauley Hallett, Shaun Ainscough, Tom Holmes, Dominic Brambani, Alex Rowe, Alistair Leak, Will Maher, Brad Day, James Harrison, Joe Chandler.
Replacements: James Davey, Tom Lillycrop, James Brown, Brad Hill.
Tries: Macauley Hallett (2), Sam Smeaton (2), Will Maher, Shaun Ainscough (2), Tom Lillycrop.
Goals: Dominic Brambani (3).

Rochdale Hornets: Jack Johnson, Jake Eccleston, Ben Jullien, Lewis Galbraith, Rob Massam, Harvey Livett, Danny Yates, Jo Taira, Ryan Maneely, Gavin Bennion, Jono Smith, Andre Savellio, Gary Middlehurst.
Replacements: Ben Moores, Samir Tahraoui, Matty Hadden, Jordan Case.
Tries: Rob Massam, Harvey Livett, Benjamin Jullien, Lewis Gailbraith, Matty Hadden, Jack Johnson.
Goals: Harvey Livett (6).

Referee: Callum Straw