York City Knights 30 Dewsbury Rams 2
A bitterly cold Sunday afternoon in York saw the Rams take on York, the game kicked off in blizzard conditions, but it was York that turned on the style into the second half that blew the Rams away.
Dewsbury named Callum Turner at full back, whom had missed out on the opening day defeat to Bradford, with Callum’s inclusion to the squad this pushed Jake Sweeting up to scrum half.
The first half was impressive for the visitors, with long spells spent in the home sides half, and they almost got there reward through Adam Ryder, Michael Knowles and Brad Graham but we’re denied due to Knock on, offside and in touch calls respectively. Ross Peltier started amongst the forwards and really worked hard in the middle making some very good punishing runs.
The conditions were a leveller for both sides, Matty Beharrell landed a 40/20 in some very strong winds, then the Rams took the option of kicking for 2 after a penalty which was the only score for a good half hour.
Dewsbury went in at the break with only a 4 point deficit, it was through former Ram Will Oakes whom broke down the left and managed to get the pass away to Marsh on the inside to race home.
It was the Visitors though that started the second period stronger and it wasn’t until just over the hour mark that the second try of the afternoon came, Pauli Pauli had attracted a number of Dewsbury defenders and was able to offload to Ellis whom crossed out wide for the home side.
Five minutes later Sam Davis scampered over for a try on his debut for York, after a wonderful break once again from Will Oakes only a few plays previous. Then in the 73rd minute York we’re in again, it was a superb solo try from O’Hagan kicking through the line and regathering to score with a spectacular dive.
Coach Lee Greenwood had a few words after the match.
I thought we looked good overall in the first half. We defended much better and looked a threat with the ball. We had 2 tries disallowed and got held up over the line a few times and got hit with one defensive lapse which saw us behind at half time. We spoke about sticking in there and being a bit more composed near their line in the second half but it wasn’t to be. We gifted York field position from some of our decision making, particularly on our kick and chase. This gave them a lot of attacking opportunities and sure enough they took some. A few times from kicks and then once when Pauli Pauli got a good offload away.
There is no lack of effort but we need to be smarter at crucial times. We are in a run of games playing against teams spending a lot more money than us and with recent Super League players in their teams. This division gets harder every year and we need to learn fast, starting against Sheffield next week.
We now look to Sheffield Eagles at home this Sunday.
