York Knights 37-6 Batley Bulldogs: Match Report

Aug 25, 2024

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York Knights earned a third consecutive win in the Betfred Championship with a 37-6 victory over the Batley Bulldogs at the LNER Community Stadium.

Two tries in the opening ten minutes helped set the tone for the game which saw York gradually overwhelm the Bulldogs.

Batley closed the gap to six points in the first half with a try from Robbie Butterworth, but with York scoring six tries in all, it was a comprehensive win for Mark Applegarth's men.

The result keeps them within two points of the play off places.

The Knights had the first chance of the game, with Joe Law set to put Brad Ward in, only for Batley winger, Ellior Kear to disrupt the move by getting a hand on the pass. On the next set, Connor Bailey crashed over to open the scoring. Williams converted.

York soon extended that lead, scoring on the first set after the restart. Brad Ward raced clear before feeding Joe Brown who had James Cunningham in support to take the last pass to cross under the posts. Williams again added the goal.

A penalty gave Batley good field position deep inside Knights territory for the first time and they took advantage. A sweeping move ended with Robbie Butterworth going in at the corner. Woods converted.

However, York were still looking threatening and soon hit back. Williams and Ata Hingano combined, and Joe Law’s footwork took him through a gap. Williams again was accurate with the boot in windy conditions.

After a lengthy stoppage in play while Batley’s Ali Leak received treatment for an injury, a period followed where both sides struggled with errors. It meant there was no change to the scoreline and York took a 12 point lead into the break.

The second half opened with a penalty from Williams to extend York's advantage after Batley were caught offside 20 metres out.

Another penalty, this time for a high tackle, set York up again. They capitalised with Brendan Santi crashing over from short range, to give Williams an easy task with the conversion.

By now, Batley attacks were few and far between, allowing the Knights to keep building pressure. It almost paid off only for Josh Daley to be held up over the line.

Eventually, York cracked the Batley defence again. Hingano danced his way through some Batley tacklers, and Joe Brown raced up to take the pass and go in. Williams missed with the conversion for the first time.

After Batley failed to make 10 metres with the kick off, York moved up field and scored again. This time Jacob Gannon hit a gap at pace and spun over the line. Williams added the extra two points.

With just ten minutes to go York were dominating in almost every way, as Batley struggled to get cohesion.

On the next foray in the Batley 20, Williams sent a drop goal over for what was the final point of the game.

York: Brown, Towse, Field, Law, Ward, Williams, Hingano, Michael, Jubb, Thompson, Bailey, Gannon, Cunningham

Subs (all used): Teaby, Santi, Daley, Martin

18th Player: Antrobus

Tries: Bailey (7), Cunningham (10), Brown (67), Law (23), Santi (50), Gannon (70)

Goals: Williams (6/7)

Drop Goal: Williams

Batley: Butterworth, Kear, Mitsias, Buchanan, Burton, White, Woods, Brown, Moore, Cooper, Manning, Walshaw, Blake

Subs (all used): Leak, Flynn, Putt, Kaye

18th Player: Morton

Tries: Butterworth (19)