Jordan Lilley’s late drop goal gives Bradford Bulls first home win against Batley Bulldogs

Bradford Bulls earned their first home win of the season with a narrow 21-20 win over local neighbours Batley Bulldogs.

Tries from Aaron Murphy, Thomas Doyle, Liam Tindall and kicks from Dec Patton and Jordan Lilley helped the Bulls to a second win on the spin in both league and cup. 

It was a real hard-fought win for John Kear’s side who were tested by an energetic Batley side but defended well and took their opportunities.

The Bulls did open the scoring early, Lilley linked up with Murphy who slipped his tackle and crossed the line to give his side the advantage.

Batley instantly tried to respond and got a hold on the game, pressuring the Bulls defence but the home-side defended well to the threat that the visitors were posing. 

However following Dec Patton’s sinbin, the visitors did level. Alistair Leak broke the Bulls line and found James Meadows whose teasing run deceived the Bradford defence. He passed to Josh Hodgson who had space to run to the line and level in what was a superb try from the Bulldogs.

Craig Lingard’s side did not stop there though. Straight from the scrum, Tom Gilmore passed to Lucas Walshaw who barged his way over to put his side in the lead.

The Bulls had lost their early momentum and had been on the backfoot since they scored but did level. Lilley with his second assist of the day found Doyle who just about grounded the ball after colliding with the post-pad.

With scores level at half-time it was still anyone’s game.

At the start of second half, the Bulls started strong again. Patton kicked his side into the lead from 40 metres out following a high shot on Kieran Gill.

Straight after Patton’s kick, the Bulls then added more to their lead. Tindall, on debut, showed great skill and determination to ground the ball despite three Batley defenders trying to ground him.

The Bulls nearly went to back-to-back; Patton’s kick was chased by Tindall who kicked on for Murphy who unfortunately dropped the ball just over the line.

Batley themselves had a try disallowed, an obstruction in the build up denied them a way back into the game.

However, the visitors did get some hope, Leak this time collecting the ball centrally and faked a pass before going over himself.

Soon after the visitors were level again. A high shot provided Tom Gilmore with a penalty and he converted from 20 metres out to make it an interesting last 10 minutes.

But immediately after Batley’s scrum half levelled, his opposite number Lilley ultimately won the game for the Bulls. His drop goal from 40 metres out went up and over the posts to give his side a narrow victory.

A first home win for the Bulls proved to be a huge result as it had not been an ideal start for John Kear’s men to the start of the season.

The win moves Bradford to ninth in the table, level on points with four teams above them. They next host Leigh Centurions in the Challenge Cup next Monday.

For opponents Batley Bulldogs, the narrow defeat makes it two defeats on the bounce in the league for Craig Lingard’s side. They next host Featherstone twice, firstly in the Challenge Cup and then in the league the following week, both at home.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt