Boys return with a fine derby triumph

The Boys inflicted a 13th straight defeat on Ossett and remain fifth in the table but with games in hand on all the sides above them, there is still a chance Batley could challenge for a top-two spot in their remaining six matches.

Good attacking from the forwards led to a break from Aaron James, who went 50 metres to score the first try of the match, converted by Adam Bingham.

More quick handling by Batley allowed Richard Moody to go over for his first try of the match and Bingham again converted.

Further good attacking work allowed Joe Windle to score in the corner and Bingham tagged on a great touchline goal.

The Boys continued to produce impressive attacking play and Windle added a second try, with Bingham’s fourth conversion of the half putting the Boys 24-0 up at the break.

The Boys continued where they had left off in the second half and good work by the forwards ended with Josh Whitehead powering over, with Bingham again converting.

Moody was next to score for his second of the match and for the first time, Bingham was off target with the conversion attempt.

Good runs from forwards Malcolm Kellett, Ian Jubb and Sean Sheard throughout the match produced good metres for the Boys.

James added his second try of the game and Bingham was unlucky not to convert.

Batley pressed until the end and scored again a minute from full-time, with Josh Whitehead going over and Bingham converted.

Top tackler was Aaron James followed by Malcolm Kellett and Richard Moody, while man-of-the-match was Brad Jackson followed by Joe Window and Matty Denison.

The Boys face a crucial game away to Bentley Good Companions, who are just below them in the table, on Saturday.

Birkenshaw suffered a 26-12 defeat away to relegation threatened Lindley Swifts in Pennine Championship One last Saturday.

They have slipped to seventh in the table but they can do Batley Boys a favour this week, when they entertain fourth placed Huddersfield St Josephs.

Wyke are second-bottom in Division One following a 28-18 defeat at Odsal Sedburgh last Saturday and face a must-win game against bottom side Selby Warriors this week as they bid to avoid relegation.