Batley Boys progress in Pennine President’s Cup

Both sides came out looking strong in defence and attack as they attempted to force their opponents onto the back foot.

Batley made good ground with Daniel Scales, Gavin Davis and Sean Whittaker driving them forward to take the home side upfield.

Both sides also conceded penalties in a hard fought opening period and the only score of the first half came when hooker Ryan Crossley nipped over from acting half-back and Mick Dyson converted to put the Boys 6-0 up.

Upton took advantage of several penalties at the start of the second half to catch Batley on the back foot and score a converted try to level matters.

Batley responded well as Josh Whitehead made a break from inside his own half to race down the pitch only to be chased down by an Upton player, who managed to hold him up.

Batley kept up the pressure, as good tackling prevented Upton from getting out of their own half before the turn over.

Good work from the forwards took the Boys into a good field position before the ball was moved to Jayjay Price, who broke through and raced away to score an unconverted try in the corner.

Batley continued the pressure with good work from the team taking them back down the pitch before Adam Bingham got the ball out for Aaron James to power through the defence and score between the posts, with Dyson adding the conversion.

Fine play by half-backs Luke Sheridan and Kieran Dean helped move the ball out to Rob Garforth and he broke away to score an unconverted try, which clinched victory and passage into the third round.

Batley Boys return to Pennine League Championship action on Saturday when they travel to West Leeds looking to keep pressure on the front runners.