‘That one was for you today, JK’: Batley Bulldogs pay tribute to former head coach John Kear by thrashing Goole Vikings

The rugby league family has been left shocked and saddened by the news of Kear’s passing last weekend, with fans at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds coming together to remember a legend of the game with a minute’s silence before kick-off.

Bulldogs’ current head coach, James Ford, who took over after Kear’s second stint with the club at the end of last season, had told the Reporter Series in the build-up to the game that he wanted his players to go out “all guns blazing” and to ensure his predecessor would be looking down on them “happily.”

He certainly would not have been disappointed as Batley ran in nine tries, six of which came in the second half as Ford’s men turned on the style.

Jimmy Beckett, who arrived at the club from Castleford Tigers on an initial one-month loan deal, scored on his debut, while the influential Ben Reynolds went over for an impressive hat-trick.

Prop forward Beckett, a former Dewsbury Rams captain, opened the scoring after 20 minutes when he broke through the line before charging over. Nyle Flynn and Felix Ellis then crossed before half-time to give the Bulldogs a 16-0 advantage going into the second half.

And there were only a couple of minutes on the second half clock when the lead was extended through Reynolds’ first of the afternoon.

Ellis then grabbed his second before Alistair Leak finished a flowing move from left to right to make it 34-0.

Liam Kirk’s converted try made it 40-0 before two late tries from Reynolds sealed his hat-trick.

There was still time for a Goole consolation try but the day belonged to Batley Bulldogs and the memory of John Kear.

After the game, Batley Bulldogs posted on social media: “That one was for you today, JK.”