Posted on Friday, 06 June 2008 03:40PM by

Don’t know what it looked like on the Telly, but last night’s game had me on the edge of my seat from first to last. Recent signing Jimmy Elston made his debut at hooker, whilst Ryan Smith took over at No. 6, and the second row pairing of Chris Charles and Taran Wildey had their second outing together in 4 days. Despite rumours to the contrary, both Francis Maloney and Kevin Crouthers took the field for the Bulldogs. Opinion before the game suggested that this one would be too close to call, and so it proved. Both sides had their moments in the first half, but on the whole defence ruled. Though the Rams had slightly the better start, the Bulldogs just about shaded the first half, a fact reflected by the score. Kevin Crouthers, playing at prop finally going over wide on the left after 35 scoreless minutes. They might have been scoreless minutes, but for the players and supporters of both sides that first half was everything a derby game should be. Full of effort, commitment, and not a little skill, it proved that you don’t need a try every 5 minutes to make a game watchable. Half time :- Bulldogs 4 – Rams 0. If the first half was a score free desert, the second began with a veritable avalanche of tries; well two at least, and both to the Rams. An early penalty gave them the field position from which Bostock drove to the line for Buchanan to finish off with a try in the corner after 4 minutes. Finn’s excellent touchline conversion edged the Rams in front for the first time. 3 minutes later Martin Robinson broke down the middle, drawing full back Preece before passing inside to the supporting Colleran to finish the move. He would have done too, if it hadn’t been for a superb tackle from Ollie Marns, tracking in from the wing. A quick play the ball and the Rams spun the ball wide right giving Bryn Powell the room to race over in the corner, stretching their lead to 10 – 4. And there it stayed! For almost half an hour. Both packs ran hard, both defences remained solid, and both sides had their chances. Maloney’s high kicks, spiralling down out of the floodlights were always a threat, and yet it was the Rams who had two tries ruled out by Mr. Merrick after reference to the video referee Ben Thaler. First Liam Finn broke on the right before passing inside for Pat Walker to go over. Not sure why it was disallowed, but from the position of the resulting scrum, I’d guess Liam knocked on when gathering the ball. At the other end, Danny Maun went over by the posts, only to be called back for a forward pass and, a couple of minutes later Austin Buchanan went over following a Rams kick, only for a third score to be ruled out. Frustrating maybe, but it made the game interesting; with time slipping away there was still only one score between two sides giving their all. Some four months ago it took a late drop goal from Maloney to tip the NR cup game in Batley’s favour. Tonight Liam Finn did the same, taking his opportunity well to edge the Rams two scores in front. For the first time all evening I began to breathe a little easier, and the late penalty from Patch Walker was the icing on the cake. Final score :- Batley Bulldogs 4 Dewsbury Rams 13. This was the best performance I’ve seen from the Rams all season. The defence was awesome; they hardly missed a tackle and maintained their intensity and concentration for the full 80 minutes. With only 9 games left this season, we’ll need to keep that level of performance to the end if we’re going to hang on to our NL 1 status. Still, at last we’ve got something to cheer about. Shame we’ve now got to wait 17 days for our next game against the Crusaders, though I’ll probably be along for the Academy game, (also against the Bulldogs), this coming Sunday. It was late by the time we left the Mount, stepping out of the door to be confronted by the entire Rams squad. They looked like Genghis Khan and his Mongol hordes sweeping up the road towards us. For a moment I thought I was about to pay the price for the stick I’ve given the side at time this season, and bowed my head in submission. This time I got away with it, but I couldn’t help noticing the mood they were in. Together would be the best way of putting it, even among the likes of Dominic, Josh, Joe, Luke and Liam Crawley who hadn’t been a part of tonight’s team. I’ve always felt the squad was closer than some critics have been suggesting, and it showed. Rams man of the match? On a night of so many good performances, I’d give it to Finny, if only for the drop goal that eased the pressure slightly at a crucial moment of the game. TEAMS :- Dewsbury Rams :- Tom Colleran, Bryn Powell; Chris Langley; Chris Hall; Austin Buchanan; Ryan Smith; Liam Finn; Aaron Trinder; Jimmy Elston; David Rourke; Chris Charles; Taran Wildey; Tere Glassie. Subs:- Pat Walker; Andy Bostock; Martin Robinson; Jake Wilson. Batley Bulldogs :- Ian Preece; Ollie Marns; Kevin King; Danny Maun; Balou Fagborun; Francis Maloney; Paul Mennell; Luke Stenchion; Kris Lythe; Kevin Crouthers; Byron Smith; Tim Spears; Craig Farrell. Subs :- Ash Lindsay; Andy Boothroyd; Anthony Henderson; Jon Simpson. Referee :- D. Merrick Video referee :- B. Thaler. Attendance 2,255 Match report by Chris Osbaldeston