Panthers edge Bulldogs in war of attrition at Shay
Tries from Tom Inman and James Woodburn-Hall and 10 points from the boot of Louis Jouffret helped Halifax Panthers see off Batley Bulldogs 18-10 in an attritional affair at a soggy Shay.
Free-flowing rugby league was at a premium as Storm Kathleen proved to be an additional tough opponent for both sides.
It was the Panthers’ first home league game of the season but, in a throwback to winter rugby, they probably will not play in worse conditions as persistent, driving rain dominated throughout to leave standing water and thick mud covering the turf. There was also a demanding, swirling wind to contend with.
Woodburn-Hall provided a dream try in the second half to all-but seal the win, adding to Inman’s early effort but, just as they did at Wembley in the 1895 Cup final – the last time these two sides met – Batley showed their doggedness and reduced the deficit to two by half-time thanks to Robbie Butterworth’s try.
And Joe Burton’s try with two minutes remaining gave them hope of a dramatic ending similar to that famous game in August which Fax won 12-10, but Jouffret’s fourth penalty of the game, with the last kick, secured the two points.
After a sleepy start Batley grew into the game and when Ben White’s excellent grubber kick deflected off the post and Butterworth was the first to react they were only 8-6 down at half-time.
Two Jouffret penalties and Woodburn-Hall’s try made it 16-6 in the second half. Batley dominated the final 15 minutes, but only had Burton’s late try to show for their efforts and are still searching for their first league win of the season.
Panthers’ head coach Liam Finn praised his side’s attitude, saying: “It was an attitude test of the highest order in which we passed.
“We came out with a great attitude which we maintained for 80 minutes. The same can be said for Batley.
“It was similar to last week in terms of conditions, probably worse in actual weather and conditions under foot. It was a tick in the box for attitude and the team who obviously got in front was going to have the main say in the game. We did that and we managed to control it in the second half.”
He added: “It’s difficult but I thought both teams handled it really well. There weren’t loads of errors. You will probably see as many errors in a game played in blistering sunshine. You have got to be aware of your skill when the conditions are like that and both teams were.
“Both teams were up at 80 to 85 per cent completion rate. It was a decent spectacle for the conditions. It’s difficult as it’s hard to score and you can’t move the ball fast and you’re just looking to win the war of attrition and get the opportunity to take points when you could, which we did in terms of penalties and a couple of nice tries.
“They got a try off a kick which ricocheted off the post. You have got to understand that you will concede things like that in those conditions. How you respond to it has got to be good and it was.”