Batley Bulldogs Wheelchair will be ‘an exciting team to watch’ after agonising defeat in first ever outing at Salford

And although the day ended in a last-minute 44-40 defeat, the signs are there that they will be “an exciting team to watch,” says general manager Andy Walker.

He told the Reporter Series: “We’d told the squad before the match not to get too hung up on a result going against us. It was the first time that eight out of the squad of nine had ever played in a competitive match, and there were no expectations.

“As it turned out, the team went out and put a shift in for each other, and, from a spectators point of view, you’d think they’d been playing the game together for years.

“It wasn’t that surprising from the inside, as I’ve seen how they've improved every week in training, and going forward, you can see that the Bulldogs will be an exciting team to watch.”

Batley, who only held their first ever training session in July, started the game strongly with a brace of tries from Tom Oates and one from Dan Winner, with captain James Clough converting three.

Jamie Edmondson-Jones and Ben Dunwell then got on the trysheet as the Bulldogs superbly led 26-20 at half-time.

Salford, having much to prove against the inexperienced Bulldogs, were quick out of the blocks in the second half, speeding into the lead with tries in quick succession.

However, Batley fired back with three more tries of their own courtesy of player/coach Paul Horrobin, Winner, with his second, and Marc Sykes.

With another two points added by Clough, the scores were level going into the final minute but Batley’s first outing ended in defeat as Salford stole the victory, 44-40, with a close-range try.

Walker added: “I did feel for the lads when Salford clinched that last minute try but they all came off the pitch with a smile on their faces. They felt good to get that first game under their belts.

“Salford were a great side for us to share our first match with. It was played in great spirit, and I wish them all the best for 2025.”