Match Preview - Batley Bulldogs (A)

21/08/2021

Sheffield Eagles will be aiming for back-to-back league wins on Sunday afternoon when Mark Aston’s side travel to West Yorkshire to take on Batley Bulldogs.

The Eagles tasted victory last Sunday, completing a league double in the process, with a win over Oldham.

Sunday’s hosts Batley will be looking to continue their impressive season as they attempt to back up a comfortable win over Swinton Lions.

The Bulldogs’ win over the Championship’s bottom club was their fourth win in five games and eleventh of the 2021 campaign. 

LAST TIME OUT

Sheffield returned to action with a win over a struggling Oldham side on Sunday.

After two weeks without a game, the Eagles continued their improved form against the Roughyeds and won the game despite a level score at the break.

Danny Langtree opened the scoring just before the 20-minute mark which prompted a quick-fire double for Mark Aston’s side.

Captain Matt James barrelled over before Oliver Davies got in on the act. Both tries were converted by Josh Guzdek.

Martyn Reilly’s converted score one minute from the half-time hooter made it 12-12 at the interval.

Ryan Millar and Josh Guzdek both finished off well-worked tries to open up the Sheffield lead before Tyler Dupree’s effort fired warning signs around the Keepmoat.

The previously unseen half-back combination of Aaron Brown and Harry Tyson-Wilson managed the remaining 20 minutes well with the visitors’ pressure continuing.

Tyson-Wilson’s drop-goal five minutes from time settled the nerves of Sheffield fans who would’ve wanted to avoid any late drama and a fourth draw of the season.

Batley enjoyed another weekend in the Betfred Championship as they ran out 6-38 winners over basement club Swinton at Heywood Road.

Luis Roberts’ try opened proceedings in the opening 10 minutes and the Bulldogs were kept scoreless until the half-hour mark when Jonny Campbell went over.

Craig Lingard’s side didn’t look back after Campbell’s try and added 32 unanswered points.

George Senior’s effort put Batley in front and Campbell’s second extended their lead to a half-time score of 6-16.

Alistair Leak profited from a one-on-one ball steal shortly after the break before adding a second from dummy-half.

Greg Johnson notched a score before Leak found a leak in the Swinton defence to complete his hat-trick and seal an important Bulldogs victory. 

KEY BATTLE

Eagles half-back Harry Tyson-Wilson impressed on a rare start for the former Hull FC youngster.

An elbow injury to Sheffield’s regular half-back Anthony Thackeray provided the opportunity for Tyson-Wilson to cause Mark Aston a selection headache and the 24-year-old will have to continue his form if he is chosen to play tomorrow.

Tyson-Wilson kicked a crucial drop-goal to secure the Sheffield win and was awarded man of the match by the Sheffield Eagles Supporters Association after a controlling display against the Roughyeds.

Batley’s scrum-half Tom Gilmour has been a standout performer in the Championship this season, conjuring up a fruitful partnership with Ben White in the process.

The platform for the White-Gilmour collaboration had been laid by a talented and imposing Bulldogs forward pack which includes Dane Manning, Toby Everett and former Eagle Jack Blagbrough.

Ex-Widnes man Gilmore was a try-scorer in the reverse fixture and he will be aiming for more of the same at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium this Sunday.