Posted on Wednesday, 07 May 2008 04:42PM by

Several things happened at Rams Stadium last night. First, we lost a game we could have won, and so ended up with I point when 3 would have been much better. But, best of all in my view, we rediscovered pride in our club, on the pitch as well as off it. Maybe now we can put the past few weeks behind us and get on with the rest of the season, because we were yay close to winning this one. The Vikings will probably have arrived expecting a comfortable stroll on a pleasant Yorkshire evening but, apart from a 10 minute spell late in the first half, what they got was far from comfortable. The opening minutes were fairly even. No risk football played by 2 sides feeling their way into a game neither wanted to lose, but it was the Rams who struck first around the 8 min. mark. Patch Walkers high kick to the left corner was collected and switched back inside for Andy Bostock to stretch out a long arm for the try. Walker’s boot tagged on an even long conversion. Ten minutes later a questionable decision from referee Mr. Laughton gave Widnes the field position from which they levelled matters. From the middle of The South Stand, it looked as though it was Widnes who knocked on, though the scrum went the other way and 2nd row Richard Fletcher drove over for the try. Gavin Dodd added the conversion and the scores were level at 6-6. The game was end to end, but Dewsbury were playing as well as they’ve done all season, and it was no surprise when they regained the lead around the 25 min. mark. Again it was Andy Bostock driving over from short range out on the left. Again Walker obliged with the extras. But Widnes weren’t here to lie down, and the last 10 minutes of the half belonged to them, aided by some poor defending close to our own try line. Around the half hour, Fletcher drove over for his second try. Right away they were back, snapping at our try line. Turning down the chance of an easy 2 points from a penalty in front of the posts, they opted to run and were rewarded with a try to prop Jim Gannon. Dodd converted both and, within a matter of minutes Rams were down by 18-12. Even now Widnes weren’t done. With the half ticking away, sub Sam Barlow drove over, making it three, depressingly similar, tries in 7 minutes. Again Dodd added the conversion; Widnes were 24-12 in the lead, and suddenly we were struggling to hang on to the bonus point, a disappointing end to a half that had promised so much. If the first half was good, the second was even better. We needed a good start, and 6 minutes in we got it. Rams moved the ball quickly left, giving Andy Bostock room to race over for his third try of the game. A long range effort this one, well compared to the other two anyway, somewhere in the 5/10 metre range I guess, but they all need scoring and right now Bossy’s hot! For once Pat Walker missed the conversion, but the game was there for the side that wanted it most. For a while that seemed to be Widnes, left winger Dodds crossing wide out some 8 minutes later. Though he failed to convert his own try, the gap was back to 12 points at 28-16. Thing is, just as I expected the Vikings to exert the pressure and pull away, the opposite happened. The Rams looked fitter, more determined, and it was they who started to boss the game. 23 minutes into the 2nd half, it was Dean Lawford, skipping through a static Widnes defence to score our 4th try. Walker goaled, the gap was down to 6, and we began to dream the impossible dream. 10 minutes later Dominic Maloney broke down the centre of the field, drew the defence and handed on to Dean Lawford up in support. Then it was a foot race to the line. Dean got there, only to be denied by as good a tackle as we’re likely to see all season. Another 6 points at that stage would have levelled the score with 7 minutes left, and who knows what might have happened. As it was, Widnes rode the storm and worked their way to the other end where Bob Beswick dropped a quality goal to edge them 2 scores in front at 29-22. Even then the Rams came back, and were knocking on the door when the final hooter sounded. It was a brave effort on the night, and hopefully a sign of better things to come from this side. Now we need to build on this performance, see off Oldham in the Cup, and head for the Shay. Remember what happened there last season? Who knows, maybe lightning CAN strike twice! Final score :- Dewsbury Rams 22 - Widnes Vikings 29. Teams :- Dewsbury Rams :- Chris Hall; Bryn Powell; Chris Langley; Andy Bostock; Austin Buchanan; Pat Walker; Dean Lawford; Aaron Trinder; Liam Finn; Dominic Maloney; Martin Robinson; Tere Glassie; Josh Weeden. Subs :- Luke Haigh; David Rourke; Jake Wilson; Joe Helme. Widnes Vikings :- Ian hardman; Dean Gaskell; Jason Crookes; Lee Patterson; Gavin Dodd; Bob Beswick; John Duffy; Iain Morrison; Mark Smith; Jim Gannon; Danny Hill; Richard Fletcher; Tommy Gallagher. Subs :- Shane grady; Sam Barlow; Rob Draper; Ben Kavanagh. Referee :- Mr. R. Laughton Attendance:- 1,444 Man of Match.:- Hat trick man Andy Bostock.