Welcome to the Official Website of Dewsbury Rams RLFC

Posted on Sunday, 20 April 2008 09:56PM by

Ten days ago I stood in the South Stand and watched Rams supporters walking away ten minutes before the end, so you can imagine how good it felt to see the roles reversed today. Not that one victory can ever make a season; to be honest I’d rather have the 3 points for a league win than a place in the next round of The Challenge Cup, but a win is a win, and this one was not only well overdue, it was also well deserved.

Rams were first on the scoreboard with an early penalty from Patch Walker, though that advantage looked to have been cancelled out when they lost Dean Lawford following a blow to the head. Sure enough, a few minutes later the Rams Old Boys Association struck back, with Kevin Crouthers making the initial break and handing on for Danny Maun to score on the left, edging The Bulldogs in front for the first time.

The next 20 minutes were a bit of an arm wrestle, with both sides striving to get a grip on the game. Chances came and went at both ends, before a strange decision from Mr. Merrick gave Batley a scrum on The Rams 10m line. From that, Anthony Henderson was almost over before they switched the ball left for centre Kevin King to go over for their second try. The same player missed the conversion, but now Batley had the initiative. They were 8-2 in front, and probably deserved to be so, though all that was to change in the final 5 minutes of the half.

First Austin Buchanan, coming into the line from full back, made a good break down the centre of the field and, although he was held short, the ball went swiftly right for Kane Epati to squeeze over in the corner, Pat Walker kicked another touchline conversion and the Rams were back on level terms. Not for long though, 2 minutes later they were in front, Alex Bretherton slicing through the Bulldogs defence to score to the left of the posts. Walker’s conversion edged them out to 14-8, and despite some late pressure from The Bulldogs, that’s the way the half ended. Well almost…

The half might have been over, but not the action. Even after the hooter sounded, Ian Preece and Chris Langley seemed keen to continue with the game, and earned themselves a yellow card apiece for their enthusiasm.

Halftime :- Batley Bulldogs 8 Dewsbury Rams 14.

The game was warming up nicely, and I felt the first ten minutes of the second half could have gone either way. Both sides recognised the importance of this period and chances were few. Paul Mennell made a good break, only to be brought down by a high tackle from Buchanan that saw The Rams full back put on report.

From the resultant penalty, Batley applied the pressure, swinging the ball left for Danny Maun to score his second try of the game. Again, King missed the conversion, but now the lead was down to two points. Ten days ago, this was the point at which The Rams began to crumble, but not today.

Bolu Fagborun’s fumble, deep in his own half, gave them the field position from which to launch a series of attacks. Martin Robinson was held short before Jake Wilson drove over close to the posts. Again Walker added the conversion and with the score at 20-12, there was a bit of daylight between the sides at last.

In total contrast to last week, it was The Rams who were exerting the pressure now, keeping things simple, holding Batley at arms length and waiting for them to make the mistakes. The defence showed a steel that’s been lacking of late and, on a couple of occasions they kicked high to the corner and drove the defender into touch.

Just past the half hour mark, Pat Walker missed a penalty, first time since I don’t know when, but it didn’t seem to make a lot of difference. With time ticking away Jake Wilson intercepted around halfway and set off for the try line. He didn’t quite make it, but Andy Bostock was up in support to collect the play the ball and drive over from close range. Another fine conversion from Walker stretched The Rams lead to 26-12, and finally settled the game.

To be honest, I don’t think there’s an awful lot between these two sides. Last week belonged to The Bulldogs, just as this week belonged to The Rams. But for the first time in weeks, The Rams showed us just what they’re capable of. Dean Lawford’s injury could have knocked them back, but Liam Finn stepped into the breach and put in a performance that deservedly earned him Man of the Match.

However, this was no one-man show, this was a team performance, the first we’ve seen from The Rams for some weeks. The defence was solid throughout, we did the simple things well, held on to the ball and took our chances when they came. Sometimes the game really is that simple.

Featherstone next week, it won’t be easy, but if we can produce more of the same, a win is definitely on the cards.

DEWSBURY RAMS :- Austin Buchanan; Kane Epati; Chris Langley; Andy Bostock; Tom Colleran; Josh Weeden; Dean Lawford; Aaron Trinder; Liam Finn; Dominic Maloney; Terre Glassie; Alex Bretherton; Pat Walker. Subs:- Ryan Glynn; Martin Robinson; Jake Wilson; Joe Helme.

BATLEY BULLDOGS :- Ian Preece; Ollie Marns; Kevin King; Danny Maun; Bolu Fagborun; Richard Colley; Paul Mennell; Byron Smith; Kris Lythe; Luke Stenchion; Kevin Crouthers; Tim Spears; Ash Lindsay. Subs:- Stephen Brook; Mark Toohey; Anthony Henderson; Jon Simpson.

Referee :- Mr. D. Merrick.
Man of the Match :- Liam Finn.
Attendance :- 1,410

The fifth round draw will be conducted on Tuesday evening and will be broadcast on the BBC News Channel’s Sportsday programme which starts at 6.45pm.

Sheffield Eagles chief executive Mark Aston, a Challenge Cup and Lance Todd Trophy winner in 1998, will draw the home balls whilst a representative from the competition’s sponsor Carnegie will pick the away balls.

The fifth round ties will be played on the 9, 10 and 11 May with two games to be broadcast live on the BBC on both the Saturday and Sunday.

The BBC News Channel is available on digital TV (Channel 80 on Freeview, Sky 503, Tiscali 501 and Virgin Media 601)

Please note – From Monday the BBC News Channel is the new name for BBC News 24 and the time the draw is set to broadcast may be subject to change due to the day’s news agenda.