Dewsbury Rams 26-6 Swinton Lions
RFL League One
Sunday 20th July 2025
By Ben Edwards
In an emotionally charged day dedicated to remembering lifelong supporter Elsie Fryer, Dewsbury Rams stepped up and put in a dominant performance from start to finish, leading to a richly deserved 26-6 victory over Swinton Lions in West Yorkshire.
The hosts began the game the brighter of the two sides, applying pressure at the Lions’ goal line, though the Swinton defence held firm, before a forward pass brought the visitors a scrum.
That early momentum paid dividends in the 11th minute, as a short-range kick was met by George Senior, with the centre touching down for the first try. The resulting conversion attempt, however, flew comfortably wide of the right post.
However, just minutes later, the Rams were penalised for a shoulder charge, seeing Swinton earn a penalty, though nothing came of it.
A charging run forward from Rams’ Joe Summers started an attack, though a knock-on was forced in the tackle as the Lions regained possession.
With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, the Lions built a rare attack, but a kick towards the goal line was poor and picked up by Dewsbury’s Craig McShane.
Against the run of play, the visitors found their first try just two minutes later, after some lovely link up play down the left flank was finished off by Ellis Anderson. Jack Stevens converted from the touchline, giving Swinton a 6-4 advantage going into the latter stages of the first half.
A superb double kick down Dewsbury’s left wing saw Matt Garside run through, who looked certain to have touched down, though he knocked it on, not helped by the wet conditions.
Swinton kicked to the right corner and Reece Briers almost got there, but the ball went dead for a 20m restart. During the move, the Lions’ interchange collided with the barrier and required medical attention, though was eventually able to continue.
Louie Roberts got underneath the ball from a Dewsbury’s kick up field, though dropped it under pressure, resulting in a scrum to the hosts.
Dewsbury built a sustained attack from the scrum, though the Swinton defence stood strong.
Just a minute later, the Rams deservedly went back ahead, as Jamie Gill touched down after some quick passing from left to right. This time, Jacob Hookem converted successfully, making it 10-6 to Dewsbury, that would be the final action of the first half.
After keeping the ball for a long period of time, McShane kicked to the left corner looking for Louie Walker, though it was claimed by a Lions player, who kicked from the goal line.
Swinton were then penalised at the goal line, with Dewsbury opting to kick for goal, which was scored by Hookem. The hosts started the second half carrying over that momentum from the first.
McShane, Senior and Keenen Tomlinson all evaded multiple tackles from Swinton during yet another dangerous Dewsbury attack, though were brought down inside the 10m before Swinton forced a turnover.
George Roby ran through virtually the entire Dewsbury squad in a rare bit of quality for the Lions and was then brought down 20m out. The Rams defended well on the goal line, before taking Swinton into touch at the corner post.
The lead was increased by a further two points following a high tackle by the Lions 10m out. Electing to kick for goal, Hookem again made no mistake.
Dewsbury found their third try with 10 minutes remaining, as the ball was moved quickly to Caelum Jordan on the far-right flank, who ran into the space and touched down by the corner post.
It was veteran Paul Sykes to take the conversion this time, doing so with success to make it 20-6.
With just 20 seconds of regular time remaining, Dewsbury touched-down once more, with Walker just about getting the ball down by the left corner post, Sykes yet again was reliable with the conversion, extending his sides’ lead to 20 points once again.
Final Score Dewsbury Rams 26-6 Swinton Lions 6
By Ben Edwards