Posted on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 11:26AM by

Rugby League is a hard, full blooded game often played on the edge of the rules. It certainly helps though to have both teams, and the match officials, playing to the same set of rules, and I’m afraid this wasn’t always the case this afternoon. I’m not pointing the figure at anyone in particular, because we’ve all seen worse, but for me it spoilt what could have been a cracking game between two evenly matched sides. Things started off okay, a few early mistakes made, but both sides had their chances before the Rams swung the ball quickly right for Bryn Powell to step inside the cover and score in the corner, Patch Walker adding an excellent, touchline conversion after 14 minutes. Four minutes later though the Bulldogs were level, Francis Maloney, going right and slipping the ball to Ian Preece who scored on the cut back, Maloney’s conversion levelling matters at 6 – 6. Even at this early stage things were getting a little heated, and four minutes later Pat Walker slotted over an easy penalty to edge the Rams into a short-lived lead. Play went straight back to the other end where Mr. Leahy gave another penalty that allowed Maloney to level matters again at 8 – 8. Both sides had tries disallowed as halftime approached, though it was the Rams who went back into the lead, Bryn Powell squeezing over in the corner for his second try before Walker maintained his 100% record with another excellent conversion. Once again play switched back to the other end where Rams stand off Josh Weeden picked up a yellow card for an alleged grapple tackle and Maloney licked the penalty to reduce the arrears. An even half ended with the score at Rams 14 – Bulldogs 10. The second half opened with another Rams try being disallowed; this time Mark Field was the unlucky man, apparently for obstruction. Given that there were no Rams Players within yards of him, it seemed another strange decision Still the Rams were having the better of the exchanges, and when the Bulldogs backed off and allowed Liam Finn’s high kick to bounce, they paid the price. Pat Walker was able to collect the ball and flop over the line for a try, before adding yet another conversion. For a while, Batley seemed shaky, and right away, a high tackle from Ian Preece earned him ten minutes in the bin, though many felt he was the victim of mistaken identity. Rams continued to apply the pressure, and both Bostock and Buchanan put down possible scoring passes within a couple of minutes of each other. In the end, the pressure told, and a sharp take and give from Alex Bretherton gave Chris Langley room to go over in the corner, and once more Walker added an excellent conversion. Batley continued their spoiling tactics, and Mennell was lucky to escape with only a ticking off after a poor tackle, and Walker kicked the resultant penalty to stretch the Rams lead to 28 – 10. Given what happened at the Mount, it was interesting to see that both sides were taking their penalty chances as they arose, rather than running them, and it certainly helped keep the Rams scoreboard ticking over. Though they were scoring the points, their improved defensive display was an important feature of this victory. With 15 minutes to go, the inevitable flare up exploded on the Main Stand side. Though the penalty went to the Rams, Austin Buchanan was the one to see red for punching. Mr. Leahy and his touch judge apparently missing the gouging incident that provoked the trouble. Two minutes later though, he seemed to make up for his error by giving centre Danny Maun ten minutes in the bin for a high tackle. Almost inevitably, Pat Walker added the resultant penalty. The bounce of the ball now went in favour of the Bulldogs, with Bolu Fagborun collecting to score under the posts. Maloney added the conversion to narrownthe gap slightly at 30 – 16. With the final minutes ticking away, more pressure from the Rams saw the Bulldogs give away yet another penalty, galled by Walker to maintain his 100% record, and earn him a deserved Man of the Match award. Final score Rams 32 Bulldogs 16. In the end I think the Rams deserved their victory. The Bulldogs lost their discipline when the pressure came on, and though Dewsbury were no shrinking violets, at least they held things together better than their Heavy Woollen rivals. Normally I’m not one for criticising match officials, but hopefully Mr. Leahy will have better days than this though he wasn’t always helped by his touch judges; one of whom was trying to line the Rams up behind the goal line while Maloney was taking a penalty some twenty yards out. Such basic errors can put doubts in player’s minds, and often lead to scenes such as those we witnessed today. Well, we’ve played each other three times already this season, and two more games to come in the League. Excuse me if I cross my fingers and pray that we don’t draw each other in the Cup! Teams :- Dewsbury Rams :- Mark Field; Bryn Powell; Chris Langley; Andrew Bostock; Austin Buchanan; Josh Weeden; Dean Lawford; Joe Helme; Luke Haigh; Dominic Maloney; Terre Glassie; Alex Bretherton; Patrick Walker. Subs :- Liam Finn; Martin Robinson; Aaron Trinder; David Rourke. Batley Bulldogs :- Ian Preece; Craig Lingard; Kevin King; Danny Maun; Bolu Fagborun; Francis Maloney; Paul Mennell; Jon Simpson; Andy Boothroyd; Luke Stenchion; Kevin Crouthers; Andy Jarrett; Ashley Lindsey. Subs :- Kris Lythe; Byron Smith; Anthony Henderson; Mark Toohey. Referee :- Mr. J. Leahy. Attendance 1,313.