Batley are always pugnacious and redoubtable, but they also play expansive football and stretched Hornets almost to breaking point. Faced with a big Batley pack, Hornets looked a little lightweight in comparison (both Hansen and Price rested) and they had to work particularly hard to contain the Bulddogs' six.

Batley's kicking robot Barry Eaton got them underway with two penalties, Mark McCully responded to close the gap.

With Hornets struggling to find the rhythm that has seen them rack up the points recently, Radney Bowker probed for an opening before slipping through to touch down. McCully added the extras.

Batley replied in fine style: crisp interpassing between Eaton and Morgan put Flynn in at the corner, but Hornets edged back in front as Andy Gorski turned provider sending Bowker in for his second. McCully converted. With the hooter iminent, Batley's Richardson hung on too long in the last tackle of the half and McCully slotted the resulting penalty to send Hornetys in 16-8 at the break.half-time lead.

Batley were bacik on Hornets tail within a minute of the restart: Jamie Stokes bundling the ball from sloppy Hornets hands to score. Eaton didn't miss and hornets fans edgily tapped their watches.

Hornets responded with some good play. Bowker again went close and Dave McConnell dummied through tradffic from acting half to extend Hornets' slender lead.

But this Bulldogs side don't lie down. After 61 minutes, Stokes capiotalised on some strong forward play for his second try of the night. Eaton’s conversion squared it at 20-all.

Predicatbly, Eaton's drop with 12 minutes remaining took Batley ahead. Hornets needed a moment of inspiration to pull the game back from the brink. And it came from Radney Bowker.

Bowker took the ball at pace in centre field, shimmying through the slimmest of gaps to take him away from the chasing defenders. Winger Chris Campbell provided close support, sweeping the move downfield where Richard Varkulis scooped the last pass off his boots and crashed through Batley's last ditch defence. Fantastic stuff.

McCully slotted an inch-perfect conversion from the touchline to give Hornets a five point lead at 26-21.

Batley rallied for a last big effort and threw everything forward. Eaton hoisted a last tackle kick to the corner; Campbell eyed up the bouncing ball and the recipient; made decisive contact with neither and Royston scudded in by the flag.

With Barry Eaton's reputation as a goal machine, Hornets fans could barely watch, but as his attempt faded fifteen yards short, the main-stand rose in relieved celebration of a victory hard-won.

It's frequently said that it's a good side that can play poorly and win: and there's no doubt that at 20-21 down previous incarnations of Hornets would have given it up. But not this side. Despite the obvious concerns of lax defence and some sloppy handling, Bobbie Goulding's Hornets know when to dig in - and what it takes to win.

In the end, there was a lot to learn from this game - and if we can take every lesson on-board this season, we'll improve as a unit. And, whilst celebrations were more in relief than appreciation, every Hornets fan would take an ugly win in preference to a pretty defeat.