Batley Bulldogs 26 Featherstone Rovers 34: Hardacre hat-trick as Rovers secure league

And it was, perhaps, appropriate that three of Rovers' key players played an important part in the final victory rush.

With just five minutes left and trailing 26-24 Rovers' superb goalkicker Liam Finn – five goals from six attempts – sent an inch perfect chip to the wing which was snapped up by Tom Saxton, driven into the heart of midfield and released to substitute Ross Divorty who powered over to inch Rovers into the lead.

And on the stroke of time another burst by stand-off Andy Kain broke the defensive line and allowed him to send Zak Hardacre over for his hat-trick and confirm victory.

Despite basic errors which gave Rovers all three first-half tries Batley battled back with tries from Ash Lindsay, Danny Maun and John Gallagher to trail 18-16 at the break.

A storming run by Stuart Dickens saw Rovers lead 24-16, but clever work by Mick Govin and Tommy Gallagher enabled the Bulldogs – who claimed a bonus point – to hit back and take the lead as Gareth Moore crossed for a try to which he added his third conversion quickly followed by another touchdown from Jason Walton.

Rovers are nine points clear of Halifax, who two matches left.

Batley Bulldogs: Preece; Campbell, Griffin, Maun, Greenwood; Govin, Moore; Smith, Lythe, Hesketh, Walton, J Gallagher, Lindsay. Substitutes: T Gallagher, Potter, Martin, Tootill.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Hardacre, Smeaton, Welham, Steel; Kain, Finn; Tonks, Kaye, Dickens, Field, Spears, Dale. Substitutes: Divorty, Manning, Grayshon, Saxton.

Referee: R Laughton (RFL).