REPORT | Sheffield Eagles 25-18 Batley Bulldogs

06/09/2026

Written by Spencer Arnold

The Eagles progressed to the next stage of the Betfred Championship playoffs with a powerful 25-18 comeback win against Batley Bulldogs this afternoon at the MEPS Home of Football Stadium. 

Billy Walkley made his return onto the wing for this afternoon’s fixture, along with a return from Lennie Ellis in the halves, with Kai Morgan shifting into fullback to replace Greg Eden. Josh Hodson also slotted back in at prop to replace Connor Bower. 

The opening minutes of the fixture consisted of back-and-forth sets from both sides, with them trading position up and down the pitch, until Batley opened the scoring when Ollie Greensmith received the ball from a Ben Reynolds kick and grounded it over the line. 

However, it did not take long for the Eagles to make their response through a pacy effort from Joe Brown, who crossed out wide for the hosts. 

The fixture then returned to the consistent trading of sets from both host and visitor, with close efforts occurring for both sides but neither was able to make them concrete. 

That was until the Bulldogs managed to lead the game once again, with a powerful run from Mitch Beedle in the 29th minute, giving the visitors a 6-point advantage going into half-time. 

The second half’s scoring was opened by the visitors, with Ben White crossing over to increase Batley’s advantage further. 

However, the Eagles did not go too long without a response, and within six minutes, George Griffin fought his way over the tryline to bring us back into the fixture. 

Just a couple of moments later, the Eagles had thrust themselves into the game once again, after some quick passing out wide put Billy Walkley through to cross over the line. 

But Batley responded with another two points after receiving a penalty near the Eagles’ line, and they kept their lead steady. 

Coming into the final 15 minutes of the fixture, an overpowering try from Kieran Gill brought the score back level, until a second of the day from Joe Brown pushed the Eagles well and truly in front. 

Closing out the fixture, a drop goal from Jordan Abdull secured the Eagles’ win and their progression into the next stage of the playoff eliminators. 

The Eagles will be heading to Cumbria next weekend to face Barrow Raiders in round 2 of the Betfred Championship playoffs, facing each other in the Eliminator Final.

Sheffield Eagles: Morgan, Brown, Oakes, Gill, Walkley, Ellis, Abdull, Matongo, Johnson, Reilly, Hodson, Bussey, Griffin

Interchanges (all used): Butterworth, Broadbent, Bowes, Peachey

18th Man: Billy

Tries: Brown (11’), Griffin (49’), Walkley (53’), Gill (66’), Brown (71’)

Goals: Abdull (0/2), Ellis (0/1), Morgan (2/2)

 Drop-goals: Abdull (1/1)

Batley Bulldogs: Butterworth, Burton, Olpherts, Greensmith, Hudson, Reynolds, Beedle, Kirk, Parsons, Stevens, Manning, Flynn, Hodgson

Interchanges (all used): Leak, Dixon, Walshaw, White

18th Man: Ellis

Tries: Greensmith (8’), Beedle (29’), White (43’), 

Goals: Reynolds (2/3)

Penalties: Reynolds (1/1)