Unbeaten league leaders London prove too strong for battling Bulldogs
Batley Bulldogs fell away in the second half after initially testing unbeaten Betfred Championship leaders London Broncos at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
The Broncos – with six wins from six coming into the match – did not have it all their own way in a competitive first 40 minutes, but proved too strong for James Ford’s men in the end, running out 40-12 winners.
They remain two points clear at the top of the table while the Bulldogs now have just two wins from their first six league games and are down in 13th.
London flexed their muscles straight away when it took them only four minutes to open the scoring with Liam Tindall going over for an unconverted try.
But Batley were quick to strike back as within three minutes Jack Hudson charged over and with Ben Reynolds adding the conversion they had stunned the undefeated hosts by going in front.
The lead was to last 10 minutes before Luke Smith crossed the line for the hosts and former Batley half-back Jimmy Meadows tagged on the extras.
A further Smith try took the Broncos lead out to eight points then Meadows showed why he was a favourite at Mount Pleasant as he was next to go over for a try. His subsequent conversion made it 20-6.
Batley knew they were up against it now and their defence was breached again on 32 minutes when Meadows crossed for his second try and converted his own effort.
But they held their heads up and hit back before half-time with hooker Alistair Leak showing determination as he wriggled his way over the line. Reynolds’ conversion made it 26-12 at the break.
The Bulldogs needed to strike first after the break if they were to worry their hosts, but it was London who were in again as their on-loan winger from Wakefield Trinity Neil Tchamambe scored six minutes into the half.
It was not the cue for the floodgates to open as the visitors dug in and defended well for the majority of the half.
They were unable to make any inroads into their deficit, however, and the Broncos eventually stretched their lead when winger Tindall went over eight minutes from time.
The home team then had the final word late on as Marcus Stock crossed for a try and Meadows kicked his fourth goal.