Skip to content

Match report: Sheffield Eagles 30 Dewsbury Rams 28

Dewsbury Rams were defeated on Sunday afternoon by Sheffield Eagles at the Olympic Legacy Park by 30 points to 28.

The Rams fought hard to come back from behind to come within two points of drawing the fixture. However it was heartbreaking for the Rams at the end when captain Paul Sykes missed a conversion on the hooter which could have given the Rams a draw.

The first try came on the 8th minute when Jon Magrin ghosted through the Rams defence to score a simple try. Cory Aston was on kicking duty, he added the first conversion points of the afternoon on to Sheffield’s score.

Dewsbury battled back hard and drew level on the 11th minute, the Rams created a great move down the middle, the ball eventually went out to Dale Morton who skipped his way over the whitewash. Sykes converted his kick to make the score 6-6 on the day.

Sheffield were putting the Rams under increasing pressure, but it would be Dewsbury who would get the next try with Daniel Igbinedion striding over the line, just to the left of the posts. Sykes again converted the kick to put the Rams 12-6 up.

The Eagles scored their next try on the 29th minute, Matty Costello leaped over the line from close range to the right of the posts to score a simple try. Aston converted his conversion which meant the scores were all level.

The home side took the lead just three minutes before half time when Matty Fozard slipped through a gap in the Rams defence to score. Aston again added the extra points with a good conversion and the Eagles went in to half time leading 18-12.

The second half started scrappily with both sides trying to create the next opportunity, it didn’t come until the 54th minute and it was the Eagles who scored it.  Jake Spedding intercepted a pass from a Dewsbury player and then ran nearly the full length of the field to score. Aston converted his kick to improve the Eagles lead as the score now stood at 24-12.

The next real opportunity didn’t come until the 67th minute when Dewsbury’s Dom Speakman stormed over the line to score from close range. Sykes kicked the conversion to put the Rams within six points of Sheffield’s score.

The Rams took advantage of some bad Sheffield defending three minutes later to get their next try. Adam Ryder bulldozed his way past three Sheffield players to score a superb try. Sykes again added the extra’s to put the scores level at 24-24.

Sheffield had the chance to extend the lead by two points when they won a penalty, Aston however missed his kick going into the last part of the game.

The Eagles scored a try on the 75th minute to take the lead when Jack Ashworth found a gap in the Rams defence to score. Aston converted his kick to leave the Rams needing at least a try and conversion to draw the game.

Dewsbury put the Eagles under mounting pressure as the minutes counted down, and scored with a minute to go when Michael Knowles powered his way past the Eagles defence to score. It was then up to Sykes to kick the conversion to make the game finish in a draw, however Sykes missed his kick, meaning the Eagles took home all the points.

The Rams next game is against local rivals Batley Bulldogs at the Tetley’s Stadium 3pm kick-off next Sunday.