EAMON O’Carroll was relieved that the Bulls “found a way to win” in an Odsal slog against Batley.

They booked a play-off spot – and virtually sealed third in the process – with a fourth win on the bounce this afternoon.

But the game was in the balance throughout as the Bulls hung on for a 16-14 victory.

“We knew it was going to be a really tough game,” said O’Carroll. “There were certainly things we could have done better.

“But we were facing a tough opposition. I don’t take into account where they are sat in the table.

“We had a tough game against them at the beginning of the year. Every time I’ve watched them they compete and with the conditions as well.

“We probably needed a game like that which was touch and go. We had to work hard and find a way to win.

“The play-offs are going to go like that so it’s good for us to experience that now.”

Two tries from Jayden Okunbor after an opening score by Jorge Taufua saw the Bulls home in constant rain that made for testing conditions.

O’Carroll added: “We were all right defensively. I was very disappointed with the first try we conceded, but other than that there was a breakaway and a one-on-one ball steal.

“But we didn’t help ourselves. Some of our decision-making was quite poor.

“You have to be squeaky clean and we weren’t at critical times. But I thought we did enough then to turn them away.

“Any time we looked to get on top, we took our foot off the gas a little bit and “Any time we looked to get on top, we took our foot off the gas a little bit and invited Batley back into it. They are a very dangerous team if you do that.”

Keven Appo passed an HIA but Eribe Doro will again sit out next week’s derby at Halifax with his back injury. But O’Carroll is optimistic about the forward’s progress.

“He’s looking good. Just with the nature of the injury, it’s important we get it checked out with the specialist.

“He’s got an appointment on Friday and we’ll be a bit clearer then. But I think he would have put his boots on for us to play if we’d have let him.”