Kyle Eastmond ‘really proud’ of Halifax Panthers despite defeat at Batley Bulldogs
Halifax Panthers’ head coach Kyle Eastmond revealed he was “really proud” of his players despite falling narrowly short against Batley Bulldogs.
In a thrilling West Yorkshire derby at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium this afternoon, Fax twice pegged the Bulldogs back before going onto lead at the break courtesy of tries from Ben Forster, Alfie Johnson and Curtis Davies.
But converted tries from Jack Hudson and Robson Stevens, and a Ben Reynolds penalty, put Batley two-scores in front, meaning Ben Will’s late effort was just a consolation.
Eastmond told the Courier after the 26-22 defeat:
“I am really proud of the team. I thought they stood up well and they did a lot of the things that we asked them to do and practiced for. That was really pleasing.
“Ultimately it comes to some individual moments and moments in games where you have just got to win them, and we just don’t find a way to do that at the moment.”
“I am proud of the full 80 minutes. But, like I say, it is just moments. Both teams looked like a very good team with a lot of fight. Both teams looked like that today so it was good.
“Batley are a good team without a doubt, but I thought we managed them really well. I can be as proud as I want as a coach, but, ultimately, you have got to do it for 80 minutes. It was just some moments we let ourselves down in where we conceded soft and silly tries and then you are chasing.”