Posted on Monday, 09 June 2008 12:48PM by

A decent crowd watched this Reserves game between local rivals on a blistering afternoon at Tetley's Stadium, though I wouldn’t care to hazard a guess how many of them were there for the announcement of Dewsbury’s new manager. Whatever their motives, they saw a decent, and close fought game between two well matched sides. An early penalty gave Bulldogs the field position from which winger Jamie Stokes raced over for the first try wide on the right. Both sides had their chances before Luke Broady, playing at stand off, narrowed the gap with a penalty, and 10 minutes later the Rams were in front. A superb dummy run from Allister McMaster gave loose forward Bart O’Brien the space to go in for their first try, Broady’s conversion edging them briefly into the lead at 8-4. Right away, referee Sharpe called a halt to proceedings, and called on drinks for both sides, a sensible move I felt given the conditions out on the pitch. Around the half hour mark, Bulldogs stand off Mark Barlow broke down the centre before feeding Steve Scott who went over for the try, Barlow himself adding the conversion. Tackling wasn’t the best from either side. Kane Epati burst through down the middle, only to stumble as he reached the full back and, though a second penalty from Broady levelled matters, it was Batley who snatched the lead at the last, Barlow reaching out a long arm for his try. Half time :- Rams 10 – Bulldogs 14. Within minutes of the restart Rams were back on level terms, Kane Epati scooping up a loose ball around halfway and outpacing the Bulldogs covet to go over in the corner. It was as close as they were to get. Too often their tackling lacked conviction against the big Batley forwards, and slowly the visitors began to turn the screw. Again in was Barlow who did the damage, cutting back inside for his second try before adding the conversion. A few minutes later it was centre Nat Brown, going left before cutting back inside to score. With the score at 14-24 it was time for the players to stock up on water again, while Rams chairman Mark Sawyer did the same with Candy Floss over at the burger bar. On the restart, Rams fumbled a high kick close to their own line, and a few plays later Batley prop Craig Potter was over for another try. Again Barlow added the conversion but, with time running out, it was the Rams who had the last word. Well two words actually – both of them being try! Kane Epati went over for his second try of the game and, right at the death, winger Morgan Starkey squeezed in at the corner for the last score of the game. Final score :- Rams 22 – Bulldogs 30. We had our chances, but the pressure exerted by the Bulldogs in the second half was probably enough to earn them the win. On the plus side we saw good performances from Luke Haigh and Andrew Tillotson, while Kane Epati took his tries well, though he could have had at least one more. I can’t help wondering how much that would have affected the final result. And yes, Mark Sawyer finally made the announcement we’ve all been waiting for. As you’ll already know it’s Warren Jowitt, assisted by Brendan O’Meara. The decision has been made and, judging from the response in the Royal Suite, it’s a popular one. Let’s hope we can now put the last few months behind us, and start pulling in the same direction again. The club needs it. Teams: Rams Academy :- Ryan Glynn; Martin Woodhead; David Clayton; Kane Epati; Morgan Starkey; Luke Broady; Andrew Tillotson; James Walker; Luke Haigh; Chris Green; Allister McMaster; Liam Crawley; Bart O’Brien. Subs :- Adrian Holdsworth; Brad Conway; Tom Wall; Dominic Hunt. Bulldogs Academy :- James Craven; Jamie Stokes; Steve Laurie; Nat Brown; Will Brook; Mark Barlow; Andy Speak; Craig Potter; Richard Colley; Michael Kite; Glen Read; Stephen Brook; Ross Young. Subs :- Mark Holmes; Steve Scott; Scott Bradley; Michael Stewart. Referee :- Mr. D. Sharpe.