Recap

Widnes Vikings fell to defeat away to Batley Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon, as a dominant second half from the hosts condemned them to a third straight defeat.

The Vikings raced into a 12-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes, with some great play by the forwards opening up Batley through the middle.

Kenny Baker came up with a great pass at the line to release Eribe Doro for the opener, with the on-loan prop forward having enough pace to find the line and score his first try for the club.

Baker went from provider to scorer soon after, with the second effort created by Paul Clough’s pass, which sent his team mate racing towards the try line for another six points.

The momentum shifted the way of the hosts in the middle stages of the first period, as they broke their deadlock through Johnny Campbell after he collected Luke Hooley’s chip over the top to score out wide.

The Bulldogs then went from one end of the field to the other from a kick return to set the platform for their second try, with Josh Tonks forcing his way over from close range a couple of plays later.

Dale Morton missed a chance to add two points from a penalty to level up the scores, before Ste Tyrer also dragged an effort at goal wide of the sticks.

With the final play of the half the Vikings added to their advantage though, with Shane Grady coming up with a half break before offloading to winger Owen Buckley, who produced an acrobatic finish at the flag.

Batley were level within five minutes of the restart, as Michael Ward charged through the line from 20 metres out to score.

Tries from Ben White, Dale Morton, Luke Hooley, Johnny Campbell and Jodie Broughton then saw the Bulldogs take a commanding lead.

In the final minute a try from Dane Manning from a tap penalty rubbed salt in the Vikings’ wounds to round off a comfortable win for the home side.

Batley Bulldogs: Luke Hooley, Johnny Campbell, Dale Morton, Jack Logan, Jodie Broughton, Den White, Tom Gilmore, Adam Gledhill, Ben Kaye, Jack Blagbrough, Kieran Buchanan, Dane Manning, Josh Tonks.

Interchanges: Elliot Hall, Alistair Leak, Michael Ward, James Brown.

Tries: Campbell 2, Tonks, Ward, White, Morton, Hooley, Broughton, Manning. Goals: Morton 6/10

Widnes Vikings: Joe Lyons, Deon Cross, Lloyd Roby, Ste Tyrer, Owen Buckley, Danny Craven, Matty Smith, Paul Clough, Brad O’Neill, Eribe Doro, Shane Grady, Ellis Robson, Kenny Baker.

Interchanges: Lewis Else, Adam Lawton, Owen Farnworth, Will Tilleke.

Tries: Doro, Baker, Buckley. Goals: Tyrer 2/4