Rams keep unbeaten record in top of the table clash against Doncaster RLFC.
A sunny FLAIR Stadium was the setting for a huge game between the top two teams in the Betfred League One table with both sides looking to keep their undefeated records alive.
As expected in such a high-pressure game, it was a nervy opening couple of minutes with both sides making a few errors, but the Rams managed to get the first score of the game when Calum Turner split the Doncaster defence in two with a lovely show and go, Paul Sykes added the extras to give the Rams an early six-point lead.
Shortly after though the Dons hit back, a fortunate knock-on gave the Dons good field position which led to a try after Connor Robinson spotted a gap in the Rams defence to score. Robinson failed to convert his try meaning the home side still held a two-point advantage.
That completed the scoring for the first half after just fourteen minutes, the remainder of the first half was tense, although both sides created managed to carve out a couple of chances, they were unable to take them.
Shortly after the second half began, the Rams then went down to twelve men after Calum Turner was sinbinned for foul play after Joshua Veacock made a break for the visitors. Connor Robinson then kicked a penalty goal to bring the scores level after the Rams attempted a ball steal five meters out from their line.
Far from deterring the home side, being a player down seemed to spur them on and after gaining some good field position, Paul Sykes’ cross field kick was excellently gathered Brad Graham who fed Simon Frewin to score what would be his first of the afternoon. An excellent conversion in blustery conditions by Sykes gave the Rams a six-point lead.
Back up to thirteen the Rams then scored three tries in just under five minutes to all but put the game to bed. On sixty-six minutes the Rams were awarded a penalty try on after a Brett Ferres obstruction on Owen Restall, who looked certain to dive on Calum Turner’s grubber and score.
Brad Graham then added his name to the scoresheet after he leapt highest to collect a Calum Turner kick and then Simon Frewin scored his second of the game after a lovely sweeping move down the Rams left.
With five minutes remaining the visitors picked up a consolation try when Jason Tali collected a grubber from Brett Ferres.
After the game Rams Head Coach Liam Finn said, “I’m delighted to have got the win today, it was no secret that it was a huge game for both sides today with how we’ve both started the season.
I thought it was a really good contest with both teams going at it, there was a couple of times where it could’ve gone either way, but for our lads to dig in, especially after the sin binning and to score a try was a key point in the match for us.”
Our next game sees us travel across the Pennines to face high-flying Oldham RLFC at the Vestacare Stadium, Sunday 21st May (15:00)
Dewsbury Rams (26): Restall, Carr, Jordan, Greensmith, Frewin, Sykes, Turner, Beckett, Butterworth, R.Dixon, Garside, Graham, Davies.
Interchanges: O’Connor, Morris, Ferguson, Walker, D.Dixon (18th)
Tries: Turner (8’), Frewin (53’, 70’), Penalty Try (66’), Graham (68’)
Conversions: Sykes (2/3), Turner (1/3)
Yellow Card: Turner (44’)
Doncaster RLFC (12): Hall, Halliday, Hey, Tali, Taulapapa, Johnston, Robinson, Cooper, Burns, Kenga, Smeaton, Ferres, McConnell.
Interchanges: Holdstock, James, Knowles, Veacock, Whitmore (18th)
Tries: Robinson (14’), Tali (75’)
Conversions: Robinson (1/2)
Penalty Goal: Robinson (46’)
