Despite a resilient Batley Bulldogs performance, the Castleford Tigers came out on top in the sixth round of The Challenge Cup. Beating the Bulldogs 14 – 28, keeping Batley scoreless in the second half.

The typical Mount Pleasant climate and weather was on display throughout the whole game, which the home side, the Bulldogs, took advantage of throughout the first half. The Bulldogs started the game going down the famous Mount Pleasant slope, with the wind being in their favour.

Dane Manning crashed over the line early in the first half after a fantastically timed pass by Dave Gibbons, their early link up giving the Championship side the lead against Super League opposition. With the Bulldogs fans hoping that this was the start of a bit of Challenge Cup magic against former coach Craig Lingard.

The wind was clearly catching the Tigers by surprise, with a goal line dropout from the returning Paul Mcshane going out behind his own dead ball line. It was looking as though the Tigers league struggles were now hitting them against opposition that they should be putting away.

As fatigue set in for the very impressive Bulldogs side, Castleford’s class began to shine with three tries coming in the latter stages of the first half. With Josh Simm, Rowan Milnes and Innes Senior all scoring at the summit of the Mount. Seniors try to the annoyance of the Batley fans and team came right on the half time hooter.

It was all square at the break, with both sides scoring 14 points. But with Castleford still to attack down the hill, it was expected that the Tigers would be able to take the game to Batley in the second half.The Bulldogs first half performance alone is a perfect example of the spirit of the cup and why the Championship needs to be cared for by the RFL just as much as the Super League.

However, the Tigers did what was expected of them, and the slope which was once Batley’s friend in the first half soon became the enemy. With the Tigers scoring three unanswered tries from Mcshane, Miller and Senior going over for a brace. Making the full time scoreline 14 – 28 to the Tigers.

Batley can be so proud of themselves for the performance they put in against Super League opposition. They never gave up all second half, constantly putting pressure on Castleford in scoring positions.

One of the most notable moments being a short kick off collected by Batley prop Michael Ward, who charged through the Tigers pack that was caught napping by the flying prop.

Batley’s all-round play was superb, and their commitment and enthusiastic play made the game very enjoyable to watch. For Castleford it can be clearly seen that they have a long way to go, but most importantly for them they got the job done in a game which in the build up had all the signs of a Challenge Cup upset.

For Craig Lingard hopefully this is the start of a run of form, that can see Castleford move away from the relegation zone of The Super League. If not at least we won’t have to wait another ten years for a repeat of this exciting West Yorkshire derby fixture.