Dewsbury Rams came away from the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium on Saturday with a victory.
It was the team’s first game of rugby league in 2021 and the players first game for just under a year. It also ended in Lee Greenwood’s first win over the Bulldogs since joining the Rams as head coach.
The game started in a lively fashion with the Rams holding Batley at the bottom of the hill for the first few sets.
However the Bulldogs then managed to break free of the pressure and create some attacks of their own.
The first try of the match came on the 7th minute when Batley moved the ball right to left across the park and back again. Jodie Broughton eventually got hold of the ball and skipped over the line.
The Rams fought back hard and were rewarded by scoring a try of their own. Liam Finn chipped the daintiest of balls into the air and new signing Aaron Hall leaped highest to catch the ball and plant over the line.
Finn converted the first kick of the afternoon making the scores 6-4.
Batley then re-took the lead minutes later on the 27th minute. Former Dewsbury player Dale Morton crossing the line this time for the Bulldogs. He also converted for the extra two points making it 10-6.
Dewsbury responded quickly and grabbed a try on the 34th minute. An inventive kick by new Hooker Reiss Butterworth put centre Matty Fleming through to score. Finn again converted to make it 10-12.
On the stroke of half time Batley got another try as another ex-Ram got himself on the score sheet. Luke Hooley this time drove over the whitewash to score. Toby Everett missed the conversion attempt.
That put the score at half time at 14-12 to Batley.
The second half started with Batley putting the pressure on to increase their lead. However the Rams put in some fantastic line defence to keep the scores tight.
It was the home side who scored the first try of the second half. Lucas Walshaw bounced over the line to grab four points. Ben White converted the kick to add the extra two meaning the score stood at 20-12.
The Rams fightback started just three minutes later when on the 57th minute Adam Ryder weaved his way over the try line. Sykes converts the kick to make the scores 20-18.
The final try of the match was scored brilliantly in the right hand corner as Davey Dixon leaped for the try line. The conversion was missed leaving the score at 20-22 to Dewsbury.
Next week the Rams play Wakefield Trinity in their second pre-season friendly.
