Match Report | Batley Bulldogs 24-14 Sheffield Eagles
29/06/2025
Sheffield Eagles surrendered a commanding first-half lead as they fell to a 24-14 defeat against Batley Bulldogs at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Craig Lingard made changes to the side that lost to Doncaster last time out, with Joel Farrell and Blake Broadbent named in the starting line-up, as Lewis Peachey also made a return to the bench.
The visitors made a strong start and went ahead inside nine minutes when Kris Welham finished well after sharp build-up play from Jack Walker and Jayden Billy.
Josh Hodson extended the lead with a penalty from the tee following a high tackle, and the Eagles looked firmly in control when Titus Gwaze forced his way over to score from close range on the half-hour mark.
Matty Dawson-Jones was denied a try himself in the opening forty minutes, held up over the line as Sheffield pressed hard.
The momentum shifted in the closing stages of the first half as Kieran Gill marked his Batley debut with a try before Ben White added another just before the hooter, cutting Sheffield’s lead to 14-12 at the break.
The second half opened with few chances as both sides dug in defensively. The Eagles stood firm under pressure, with solid work from Billy, Welham and Dawson-Jones helping to repel the hosts.
However, the game turned when Alex Foster was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Batley capitalised immediately, with Lucas Walshaw crashing over from short range to put them in front for the first time. Ben Woods added the conversion to give the hosts a four-point lead heading into the final ten minutes.
Sheffield pushed for a response but struggled to create clear openings. With time running out, Gill grabbed his second of the afternoon to seal victory for Batley, their first win in nine matches, as they move level on points with the Eagles in the Betfred Championship table.
Sheffield return to the Steel City Stadium next Sunday to face York Knights, with kick-off at 3pm.
Batley Bulldogs: Butterworth, Greensmith, Liu, Gill, Burton, White, Woods, Cooper, Moore, Brown, Manning, Walshaw, Blake
Interchanges (all used): Flynn, Gledhill, High, Leak
Tries: Gill (35’, 74’) White (38’), Walshaw (71’)
Goals: Woods (4/4)
Sheffield Eagles: Walker, Billy, Welham, Hodson, Dawson-Jones, Windley, Johnson, Battye, Butterworth, Broadbent, Farrell, Foster, Gwaze
Interchanges (all used): Hodgson, Peachey, Billington, Reilly
18th Man: Bower
Tries: Welham (9’), Gwaze (30’)
Goals: Hodson (3/3)
Referee: A. Belafonte
