Dewsbury Rams kicked off 2021 with a pre-season victory in the Heavy Woollen Derby against Batley Bulldogs in front of the Our League cameras.

The Rams ran out 20-22 winners with Aaron Hall, Matty Fleming, Adam Ryder and Davey Dixon all crossing, with Dixon’s diving effort in the corner being the pick of the bunch.

Jodie Broughton – who arrived at Batley in the off-season – put the Bulldogs ahead after seven minutes before Lucas Walshaw, Luke Hooley and Dale Morton also crossed for the hosts.

The clubs took differing approaches to the game with Batley boss Craig Lingard rotating his side every 20 minutes while Lee Greenwood was less frequent with his interchanges.

Swinton Lions earned a hard-fought 22-26 win over Bradford Bulls at the Tetley’s Stadium thanks to a late Rhodri Lloyd effort with just six minutes remaining.

John Kear’s Bradford side went into half-time with a 12-6 lead after tries from Brandon Pickersgill and Ross Oakes. Matty Dawson-Jones furthered the Bulls’ lead two minutes into the second half.

However, the Lions fought back with tries from Mike Butt, Geronimo Doyle and Deane Meadows. Bradford’s hooker George Flanagan pulled the sides level with 16 minutes remaining however a failed conversion and drop-goal attempt from Bradford couldn’t seal victory.

The match-winning moment went to Wales International and Swinton captain Rhodri Lloyd who took a looping Jack Hansen pass to cross out wide.

Elsewhere, Featherstone Rovers earned a dominant 58-10 win over Oldham at the Millennium Stadium.

Ben Blackmore, Brad Day and Dean Parata all scored braces while Tom Holmes, James Harrison, Connor Jones, Fa’amanu Brown, John Davies and Jacob Doyle were also on the scoresheet.

Ryan Ince and Matthew Fletcher claimed Oldham’s tries.