Panthers run in seven tries to complete a league double over the Rams at the Tetley’s Stadium.
The visit of Halifax Panthers to the Tetley’s Stadium saw the first outing of the Rams under the new management team of Liam Finn and Tony Smith, but things didn’t get off to a promising start when Matty Gee scored first for the visitors, which was converted by Joe Keyes.
The Rams battled back well however and levelled the game after twelve minutes when Calum Turner finished a fast, flowing move in the corner, which was converted well by Paul Sykes. The Rams then had a penalty close to the Halifax posts to try and get into the lead but opted to run the play and lost the ball shortly after. Then to add insult to injury Lachlan Walmsley collected Louis Jouffret’s clever chip to score in the corner, again converted by Keyes. The Panthers then added another score before half-time when Joe Arundel managed to score out wide.
Although behind by ten points at half-time there was still something in the game for the Rams but unfortunately a fast start from the away side saw them score two tries in the opening twelve minutes, firstly by ex-Ram Joe Martin and then Ben Tibbs which saw the away side take the game away from the hosts. Halifax managed another two scores from Ben Kavanagh and Jouffret, with a Dom Speakman yellow card sandwiched in between.
The Rams never gave in though and got the final try of the game through Ollie Greensmith who spun over from close range. Another loss for the Rams but a vast improvement on the previous performance against Halifax.
After the game Rams Head Coach Liam Finn said “I’m disappointed with the result and the scoreline, but I’m seeing improvements in training and the lads are working very hard. I thought we created a lot of good opportunities but just got a bit excited when we got near the line, a couple of times we lost the ball on the first tackle. We need to keep on learning, keep building and developing what we’re trying to do.”
We’re back in action next weekend against Widnes Vikings at the DCBL Stadium on Sunday 10th July.
Dewsbury Rams (12): Turner, Blackmore, Dixon, Greensmith, Gabriel, Sykes, Gill, Beckett, Butterworth, Kirby, Graham, Knowles, Mathiou.
Interchanges: Speakman, Kidd, Stevens, Walker.
Tries: Turner (12’), Greensmith (74’)
Conversions: Sykes (2/2)
Yellow Card: Speakman (62’)
Halifax Panthers (38): Martin, McComb, Tibbs, Arundel, Walmsley, Jouffret, Keyes, Murray, Wood, Calcott, Gee, Kavanagh, Fairbank.
Interchanges: Moore, Larroyer, Barber, Tangata.
Tries: Gee (6’), Walmsley (15’), Arundel (29’), Martin (46’), Tibbs (52’), Kavanagh (60’), Jouffret (64’)
Conversions: Keyes (5/7)
Attendance: 1106
Rams Man of the Match: Michael Knowles
