Workington Town 24 Batley Bulldogs 31: A much-improved showing from Workington Town saw them come up just short of a win against Batley yesterday.

A couple of mistakes led to opportunities for the Bulldogs and John Kear’s resurgent side took full advantage to just shade the game.

Town’s pack matched the big and powerful Batley side hit for hit and there was some great individual showings from several players. Centre Perry Whiteley looked strong in attack and Jack Murphy made great yards as well as being a safe pair of hands at the back.

Marc Shackley and Brett Phillips shone in the pack while Graeme Mattinson and Callum Phillips cut some holes through the Batley side when they had the opportunity.

This was a totally different Town side from the last time they played Batley and the Bulldogs knew they were in a game from the off. Town had begun the day well and were showing a lot of attacking options and making good yards in each set of six.

Jack Murphy went close in the opening minutes but he was halted short and the final kick was searching but Batley came away with the ball in front of their posts.

Jarrad Stack and Murphy then produced a superb tackle to hold Batley up at the opposite end. It was Town who went ahead after 10 minutes as Brett Phillips got on the end of a neat pass from brother Callum and strode over the line, with Carl Forber converting.

Jack Murphy then got away again after a great pass off the floor from Liam McAvoy.

Town were piling on the pressure but Batley again came away with the ball from the final kick. Jamie Doran then kicked early in the set, much to the bafflement of the coaching team, and Batley earned a penalty for a high tackle.

Dom Brambani was on target with the goal and Batley were back in the game after 20 minutes. Prop Alex Rowe powered forward as Batley went searching for the elusive try.

The action was end to end as Town then countered and whipped the ball along the line but the pass to Whiteley went just behind the centre and he could not control it.

Batley took the lead after 25 minutes as Luke Blake touched down, converted by Brambani.

And they tried to get a second moments later but Brambani’s kick on the last went out of play.

Ryan Verlinden entered the field of play and made an immediate impression with a strong run to get Town into Batley’s danger zone.

But again the final kick went astray and Batley survived once more.

As Town were on the attack, Jarrod Sammut looked to put a grubber kick in but it was charged down by the Batley defender and they came away with the ball.

And it proved a crushing blow for Town as they raced up to the other end of the field. Wayne Reittie and Greg Minikin combined to race up the right touchline.

And it was Minikin who finished the move off to touch down and Pat Walker converted for a half time lead of 14-6.

Town got off to the best possible start to the second half as the high kick off was won back by Jarrad Stack and he charged forward with confidence.

Verlinden went close but then Town were awarded a penalty for offside and they whipped the ball out wide where Whiteley stretched out to touch down.

Forber added the touchline conversion. Batley upped their game and they edged further ahead when Alex Brown latched on to the end of a cross field kick from Brambani to go over the line, but the conversion was missed.

Then minutes later they whipped the ball out wide and full-back Dave Scott was there to touch down as the Town defence fell off. Walker converted and Batley were 24-12 ahead.

Then came the comeback for Workington. Just when it looked as though they were down and out they picked up the pace.

Jarrod Sammut produced an individual piece of brilliance close to the line to touch down, with Forber converting.

The next try was inspired by a fantastic break from Marc Shackley out of his own half.

He was finally brought down but Town were buoyed by the run and Liam McAvoy took it on.

Batley were then penalised for offside and as Town got close, Forber put a lovely grubber kick in and Jack Murphy got onto the end of it to touch down. Forber’s conversion meant that the two sides were level once more and at 24-24 there was all to play for.

With 14 minutes remaining both sides were looking to secure the win and unfortunately for Town, it was Batley who came up with the goods.

As everybody looked to contain the kicking game of Brambani, the ball fell to Walker in front of the posts and he slotted over a drop-goal.

Then, with six minutes left, former Egremont Rangers star Alistair Leak put the nail in Town’s coffin as he touched down under the sticks leaving Walker an easy goal.

Town tried to regroup in the dying minutes but the seven point difference was just too much for them to claw back in the time.

They had to settle for a much improved display, applauded by their loyal fans. And they now go to Summer Bash next weekend knowing nothing less than a win against Whitehaven will do.

Workington Town: J Murphy, C Murphy, Stack, Whiteley, Hulme, Forber, Doran, Shackley, Phillips, Gordon, B Phillips, Gee, McAvoy. Subs: Mattinson, Walker, Sammut, Verlinden.

Tries: B Phillips, Whiteley, Sammut, J Murphy; Goals: Forber 4/4.

Batley: Scott, Reittie, Minikin, Ulugia, A Brown, Southernwood, Brambani, Hirst, Leak, Rowe, Mariano, Chandler, Blake. Subs (all used): Walker, Gledhill, Bretherton, J Brown. 

Tries: Blake, Minikin, Scott, A Brown, Leak; Goals: Brambani 2/2, Walker 3/4; Drop-goal: Walker.

Referee: Jack Smith (Wigan).