17 Apr 2021

Batley and Dewsbury claim Saturday wins

Batley Bulldogs earned their first victory of the 2021 Betfred Championship in convincing fashion as they dispatched of Oldham 48-10 on Saturday afternoon.

Josh Tonks opened the scoring as he powered his way over from close-range before Luke Hooley furthered the hosts' lead. Lewis Charnock soon crossed for Oldham, but it was about as close as the Roughyeds would get to Batley all afternoon.

Tries from Jodie Broughton, Jack Logan and Ben White meant Craig Lingard’s men headed into the break with a 28-6 lead.

They didn’t let up in the second half with Johnny Campbell notching a brace, Elliot Hall scoring his second in as many Championship outings and White also doubling his account for the afternoon.

Tommy Brierley did grab a consolation for Matt Diskin’s side in the final 15 minutes.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Andy Gabriel scored twice as Dewsbury Rams carved out an eye-catching 22-14 win against Widnes Vikings away from home.

The Rams broke the deadlock after four minutes as veteran halfback Paul Sykes kicked a penalty.

They then went 8-0 up on 15 minutes as Sykes converted a try from full back Joe Martin.

Though Matty Smith went over for the hosts, it was Dewsbury who scored next as Will Oakes scampered over in the corner to give the visitors.

Lloyd Roby's try on the stroke of half time left the Vikings facing an 8-12 deficit at the break.

And Dewsbury would make the perfect start to the second half as Gabriel grabbed his first on the back of a Widnes error within two minutes.

Sykes goaled and the Rams' day got even better with half an hour to play as Gabriel scored his second, latching on to a pinpoint Sykes kick to dot down out wide.

Dewsbury then had a 22-8 lead to protect and they would do just that, limiting the Vikings to a Steve Tyrer try, which he converted, on 77 minutes as they chalked up their second win in as many matches at the start of the new Betfred Championship season.

Betfred Championship Round Two Results:

Batley Bulldogs 48-10 Oldham RLFC

Widnes Vikings 14-22 Dewsbury Rams