BULLS 30 BATLEY 16

THE Bulls returned to winning ways thanks to a devastating four-try burst to stun play-off rivals Batley at Odsal.

John Kear’s side leapfrogged the Bulldogs back into third place in the Championship as they bounced back to form after those back-to-back losses.

It was a sweet return for Joe Keyes who was an influential figure in a much-needed victory.

George Flanagan also made his comeback from the hour point – but the Bulls had done the damage by that point after scoring four times in a scintillating 12 minutes in the first half.

Batley finished the stronger but the cushion created by that early salvo was enough to take the points.

The limited selection options that had affected the Widnes game had thankfully eased.

Thomas Doyle’s return was another welcome boost for Kear, although the jeopardy of self-isolation this time deprived him of Ebon Scurr’s up-and-at-‘em running in the forwards.

But it is a familiar tale across the Championship. Former Cougars boss Craig Lingard had been going through an equally challenging time with Batley – and they were missing both regular hookers after Alistair Leak pulled out with a stomach upset.

That meant Leeds academy youngster Olly Burton, twin of Bulls winger Joe, was rushed in for his senior debut.

Independence Day certainly felt it for Flanagan when he eventually stepped on to the field for the first time in 15 weeks following his 10-game ban.

For on-loan Keyes, the wait to play again for the Bulls had been even longer.

The 25-year-old had last worn the red, amber and black in September 2019 when he contributed 28 of the 82 points the Bulls piled on Rochdale on the final day of the season.

His short-term arrival from Hull KR plugged the gaping hole left in the halves by Danny Brough’s long-term absence.

Keyes’ initial touch was a rusty one as his kick-off sailed out on the full. But strong defence denied Batley a dream scoring start.

Both coaches had predicted a bruising encounter and the opening skirmishes had promised that with some direct running down the middle of the narrow Odsal pitch.

A touch of magic from Keyes with a booming 40/20 paved the way for the opening score on 12 minutes. Dale Morton misjudged the flight of the ball – and a penalty for a ruck infringement from the ensuing Bulls possession gave the half back the chance to slot over the two-pointer.

Batley full back Luke Hooley threatened with a couple of half-breaks but the Bulls held firm in front of their line.

At the other end, Jordan Lilley’s attempted grubber was snaffled by Batley by their own posts and then Aaron Murphy spilled a ball close in. It was nip and tuck between two well-matched teams with little margin for error.

But Keyes and Murphy then combined to force a Batley drop-out – and set up the Bulls second score as Doyle drilled his way under the posts from dummy half.

And two minutes later they were at it again with Keyes and Brandon Pickersgill at the hub to send Joe Brown diving into the corner. The mood further improved as Keyes nailed the touchline conversion.

The Bulls’ momentum was suddenly overwhelming Batley and they bagged a third try as Keyes kick to the in-goal was kept alive by Rhys Evans for Brad England to touch down.

Batley could not get to the half-time hooter quick enough but the barrage had not finished, Joe Burton swooping on Jordan Lilley’s looping pass to jubilantly claim his first senior score.

The contest had been blown apart by a devastating four-try salvo that left the Bulldogs shell-shocked when they finally did get some respite.

But their afternoon continued to go downhill when Lucas Walshaw departed within a couple of minutes of the restart with a suspected broken nose.

The Bulls opted against going for two after a high shot on Pickersgill in dangerous field position but came up empty-handed.

The visitors needed an attacking spark to give themselves a chance and after Luke Hooley went close from Ben White’s grubber, the Bulldogs stand-off did it himself with some real persistence from dummy half through three defenders.

But hopes of a fightback were immediately dented as Ben Evans popped up with a ball steal 10 metres out to canter in unopposed.

Batley, to their credit, kept going and Elliot Hall finished from George Senior’s pass. Hooley, their best performer, then added the two from the touchline.

There was more injury concern for the Bulls when Lilley had to be helped off with 10 minutes left holding his ribs. The last thing Kear could afford was to lose another half back.

Thankfully, having been sent to hospital for checks, Lilley later sent out a tweet to reassure fans: "Sore ribs but I'll be ok."

Batley trimmed the deficit again when Lucas Walshaw climbed highest to come down with Tom Gilmore’s angled kick. But it was too little too late to alter the outcome.

BULLS: Pickersgill; J Burton, R Evans, Oakes, Brown; Keyes, Lilley; Crossley, Doyle, Fleming, Murphy, England, Hallas. Interchange: Flanagan, B Evans, Walker, Rooks.

BATLEY: Hooley; Morton, Walshaw, Buchanan, Broughton; White, Gilmore; Blagbrough, O Burton, Everett, Manning, Flynn, Brown. Interchange: Hall, Ward, Senior, Lillycrop.

BULLS MAN OF THE MATCH: Joe Keyes.