Millom fell to an agonising 24-20 defeat against Batley Boys last Saturday. as the Woolybacks collapsed in the last ten minutes to throw away an eight-point lead, writes Elliot Burrow.

Millom started the brighter of the two teams and they went ahead on three minutes when Dominic O’Brien latched onto a kick which wasn’t dealt with by the visitors and pounced to score under the sticks, giving Adam Kelly an easy conversion.

They weren’t in the lead for long, though, as Batley skipper Gav Davis broke through the Millom line to score under the posts, with Adam Bingham adding the extras for 6-6.

Kelly then nudged his side back into the lead with a couple of simple penalty goals from in front of the posts and Millom retained their 10-6 advantage until half-time. He then added another early in the second half, as Batley’s ill-discipline continued to cost them.

They did, however, get their act together on 50 minutes when Luke Sheridan managed to get himself over the whitewash to score and level the match at 12-12.

Millom then went back ahead on the 60-minute mark when Noah Robinson benefitted off a quick play the ball to jump out from dummy half and score near the posts.

Kelly wasn’t taking any chances when his side got a penalty near the opposition try line and he slotted over his fourth penalty goal on 65 minutes to extend the lead to 20-12

However, a late flourish from the visitors condemned Millom to yet another defeat when Andy Bingham scored and converted a try on 72 minutes to reduce the deficit to two points.

Then on the final whistle, Ryan Crossley broke the home side’s hearts by finding his way over from close range.