Bulldogs secure play-off win

Batley kept up their good run of form to come through the NFP play-off with Oldham in a tough encounter on Sunday.

Paul Storey's side surged to a 10-point lead at half time and held off a resurgent Oldham after the break.

Skipper Craig Lingard gave the Bulldogs the perfect start when he picked up a break by prop Steve Hill to touch down in the first minute.

In the next quarter of an hour both sides crossed the line twice, before Batley stand-off Glen Tomlinson touched down to give the home side an 18-8 half-time lead.

Oldham fought back strongly in the second half, with Phil Farrell narrowing the gap to two points when he dived over.

But Batley held on and made the game safe when scrum-half Dean Lawford put Paul Harrison over in the closing stages.

Lawford then added his fourth conversion and two drop goals to wrap up the win.