Challenge Cup: Batley Bulldogs 4-13 Huddersfield Giants

Huddersfield Giants avoided a Challenge Cup upset, turning around a half-time deficit against Championship side Batley to book a place in round five.

Wing Gareth Potts gathered a high kick and touched down in the corner to put the hosts on course for a shock win.

But the Giants, currently second in Super League, came back in the second period and edged to victory.

Hooker Shaun Lunt scored two tries, while skipper Danny Brough kicked a conversion, a penalty and a drop goal.

Huddersfield were quiet in the first 40 minutes and were unable to break down a passionate Batley side, who went ahead in the closing stages of the first through Potts.

With the advantage of the slope at Mount Pleasant after the break, Paul Anderson's side began to find their fluency, but it took until near the hour mark for them to finally take control.

Lunt, twice a Wembley loser in the Challenge Cup - including last season whilst on loan at Leeds Rhinos - rounded off a flowing move in the right corner to draw the visitors level.

And he repeated the feat two minutes later, spotting a gap in the Batley back line to dart over, to give Huddersfield the lead.

Brough converted and then slotted over a drop goal to stretch the gap to seven points, before kicking a penalty on the stroke of full time to seal victory for a relieved Giants side.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Batley Bulldogs coach John Kear:

"I thought our players were magnificent. We can certainly defend and the most we have conceded this season is 18 points.

"This is what the Challenge Cup is all about. I can't fault Huddersfield because they were very respectful to us and played very well.

"I am really chuffed with the players. It's up there with the best we have played this season and hopefully we can take this form into the league.

"The players worked hard to the end and what you can't afford to do is die wondering. We threw everything at them and we performed like champions."

Huddersfield Giants coach Paul Anderson:

"We did not expect Batley to lie down and roll over. It was a good, old-fashioned Challenge Cup game.

"What Batley did was challenge us in many areas but we found a way to win.

"There were parts of the game I was disappointed with and we didn't get a flow going but I don't want to take anything away from Batley. They were excellent.

"It's all about Batley. They had no pressure and they have had a decent crowd and pushed a top-two Super League club all the way."

SUNDAY'S LINE-UPS

Batley Bulldogs: Greenwood; G. Potts, Walton, Maun, Johnson; Black, Moore; Smith, Flanagan, Rowe, Bretherton, Davies, Lindsey.

Replacements: Campbell, Hirst, Mennell, L. Walmsley.

Huddersfield Giants: Murphy; McGillvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, Dawson; Brough, Grix; Crabtree, Lunt, Kopczak, Ferres, Lawrence, Cording.

Replacements: Faiumu, Patrick, Ta'ai, Johnson.