Battling Batley Bulldogs side push title challenging Newcastle all the way
Batley Bulldogs showed they can give their supporters an exciting finish to the season as they rose to the challenge to give high-flying Newcastle Thunder a real scare.
Despite fielding a side with a number of regulars missing James Ford’s men came within a whisker of a shock victory over opponents who had won their previous 12 Betfred Championship matches.
Thunder had beaten the Bulldogs twice already in 2026, including a 52-8 mauling in their home league game. But this time they had to battle all the way to the final hooter for a 28-24 success at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium and were behind late into the second half before coming up with a winning try eight minutes from time.
Batley had only won one of their previous six matches so were clearly underdogs. And it looked that way when their visitors were ahead inside eight minutes through centre Joe Law’s unconverted try.
However, the Bulldogs hit back superbly to leave Thunder stunned and led 12-4 midway through the opening half.
First Dane Manning powered over then Alistair Leak darted in and with Ben Reynolds converting both tries the home team had established a healthy lead.
Newcastle bounced back, though, and snatched a narrow lead by half-time as Bailey Antrobus and Will Roberts crossed for tries converted by Myles Harrison.
The game turned Batley’s way again early in the second half when Oliver Greensmith finished in the corner and Reynolds added another goal.
They then stretched their lead four minutes later with Ronan Dixon charging over as they ran the ball on the last tackle.
Reynolds’ fourth goal made it 24-16 and hopes were now high of a stunning victory over the second-placed visitors.
However, this was where Thunder showed their title credentials as they dug in to survive more pressure and fought back through Jack Smith’s try.
They then came up with the winning try in the 72nd minute as Brad Ward squeezed over in the corner and Harrison added a conversion from wide out.
The hosts ended with 12 players after Manning was sin-binned for a high tackle.
Nevertheless it had been a great display by Batley who will now be looking for another big effort as they host Keighley Cougars next Sunday.