MATCH REPORT // Batley Bulldogs 32 v 18 Newcastle Thunder

Newcastle Thunder fell to defeat at Batley Bulldogs as the West Yorkshire side scored an unanswered 20 second-half points.

Batley started the brighter of the two sides, opening the scoring through Alistair Leak on 11 minutes. Some neat footwork and deception saw the hooker burst through and reach out to dot down.

James Meadows successfully converted, and the hosts had a six-point lead, 6-0.

Thunder would respond almost immediately through Ted Chapelhow, crashing over for his eighth try of the season.

Nikau Williams added the extras and Thunder drew level with 14 minutes played.

The visitors would grab themselves another try on 22 minutes through Jack Johnson. The winger found himself in acres of space to run in unopposed.

Williams converted once more and Thunder gained the lead for the first time of the afternoon, 6-12.

Batley would level the scoring only five minutes later through half-back James Meadows. Following a neat kick-through, Meadows was first to react and dotted down for the hosts.

Converting his own score, Meadows took the tie to 12 points apiece.

Thunder would have the final say of the first half, striking just five minutes from the break, through Nikau Williams.

The half-back who has been enjoying some stellar form recently, broke the defensive line to dive over.

Converting his own score, Williams restored Thunder’s six-point lead, to take the score to 12-18 at the break.

The hosts came out in the second half firing, scoring four tries and leaving Thunder scoreless.

Dane Manning broke the deadlock on 55 minutes, crashing over from close range and with Meadows converting once more, the tie was level at 18-18.

A quick-fire double saw the hosts score two tries in four minutes from the 65^th minute. Elliott Kear grabbed the first before Jonny Campbell’s diving finish saw Batley move eight points ahead.

Meadows, unable to convert on both occasions, left the score at 26-18 with 11 minutes to play.

Meadows would however earn his second try of the game on 74 minutes and converting his own score, took his points tally for the game to 16.

This would be the final action of the fixture and Thunder’s 2023 season ended in a 32-18 defeat at The Fox’s Biscuit Stadium.

NEWCASTLE THUNDER SCORERS

TRIES: Ted Chapelhow, Jack Johnson, Nikau Williams.

GOALS: Nikau Williams 3.

BATLEY BULLDOGS SCORERS

TRIES: Alistair Leak, James Meadows 2, Dane Manning, Elliott Kear, Jonny Campbell.

GOALS: James Meadows 4.