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DEWSBURY RAMS 26 BATLEY BULLDOGS 48 ALEXANDER FYNN, FLAIR Stadium, Sunday A SECOND-HALF hat-trick from Robbie Butterworth was enough to shatter Dewsbury’s play-off hopes, sealing a top-ten finish for Batley who could bask in a double over their rivals for good measure. The opening stages belonged to the Bulldogs, with repeat sets close to the line. Alistair Leak opened the scoring when he charged over from close range. Ben Reynolds converted, as he did every single Batley try. Moments later, the Rams were quick to respond, scoring their opening try after some quick passing to feed Bailey O’Connor for the try, although he was unable to add the conversion. The Bulldogs extended their lead when Butterworth made a line break, feeding Dane Manning who was able to dot down under the sticks. Batley continued to threaten the Rams’ line, and they got their third try when former Dewsbury man Ronan Dixon forced his way over the line after Reynolds had put him through. The Bulldogs then extended their lead to 20 points as the Rams were becoming their own worst enemy with errors aplenty, Manning offloaded to Dixon, and he was able to dive over for his brace. Just on the cusp of half time, Joe Burton added another try for the Bulldogs as he was able to bounce off the Rams defenders before diving over almost right on the hooter. The second half began in similar fashion to the first with the Bulldogs dominating. They scored their sixth try just three minutes after the restart as Butterworth dotted down from close range. The Rams got their second try of the game after Paul Sykes made a brilliant kick, which bounced kindly into Brad Graham’s hands for him to touch down, although O’Connor’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful once again. The Rams earned their third try of the game after having several sets close to the line and Joe Summers force his way over the line. Louie Walker had taken over the goal kicking and he converted the first of three successful attempts. Butterworth then scored his second try of the game after Flynn offloaded to him and he managed to get over the line as the Bulldogs passed 40 points. Ellis Lingard the fended off a posse of Batley defenders for the Rams’ fourth try as they hit 20 points. And they closed the gap once again as Walker chased his own grubber to touch down in the corner, converting his own try from a tough angle. The Bulldogs had the final say when Butterworth scored his hat-trick after Reynolds made a line break and offloaded to the fullback and he was able to score under the uprights for the final action of the game. GAMESTAR: Robbie Butterworth scored a second-half hat-trick of tries. GAMEBREAKER: Butterworth’s second try killed it for the Rams. MATCHFACTS RAMS 29 Bailey O’Connor 19 Louie Walker 27 Connor Carr 4 George Senior 2 Tom Delaney 26 Paul Sykes 6 Dan Coates 18 Jack Briggs 7 Jacob Hookem 30 Ellis Lingard 23 Brad Graham 11 Joe Summers 35 Danny Addy Subs (all used) 8 Luke Nelmes 13 Dec Tomlinson 17 Harvey Roberts 21 Monty Lumb Tries: O’Connor (6), Graham (47), Summers (54), Lingard (61), Walker (69) Goals: O’Connor 0/2, Walker 3/3 BULLDOGS 1 Robbie Butterworth 2 Joe Burton 20 Jack Hudson 3 Ollie Greeensmith 25 Derrell Olpherts 6 Ben Reynolds 14 Ben White 12 Lucas Walshaw 9 Alistair Leak 13 Robson Stevens 11 Dane Manning 15 Nyle Flynn 18 Evan Hodgson Subs (all used) 19 Jonah Parsons 27 Ronan Dixon 28 Mitch Beedle – Zach Fishwick Tries: Leak (4), Manning (25), Dixon (32, 38), Burton (40), Butterworth (43, 58, 80) Goals: Reynolds 8/8 SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 4-6, 4-12, 4-18, 4-24, 4-30; 4-36, 8-36, 14-36, 14-42, 20-42, 26-42, 26-48 Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match Rams: Louie Walker; Bulldogs: Robbie Butterworth Penalty count: 12-8 Half-time: 4-30 Referee: Luke Bland