Rochdale Hornets 12-32 Dewsbury Rams
Dewsbury Rams overturned a narrow half-time deficit to emerge comfortable winners away at Rochdale.
The Rams crossed for four unanswered tries after the break to secure a crucial two points.
Heavy rain a day earlier and continued drizzle throughout Sunday made conditions difficult for both teams.
Dewsbury completed well during the early stages and forced errors out of their opponents.
But the Rams blew an opportunity with a knock-on from the base of the scrum after laying an attacking platform.
Hornets saw a try disallowed when Dan Abram was ruled offside after collecting Izaak Farrell’s cross-field kick.
The Rams capitalised on the let-off and took the lead when Frazer Morris connected with Dom Speakman’s grubber kick on the last tackle.
Paul Sykes’ conversion attempt drifted wide, but the visitors remained on the front foot and almost went further in front.
But Kyle Trout coughed up possession as he surged for the try line, and was then penalised for dissent.
A mix-up at the play the ball handed Rochdale another opportunity and they were level when Daley Williams stepped off his right foot and crashed over.
And the Hornets had the lead at the 20-minute mark after Abram added the goal.
Rochdale continued to press and forced a drop-out in the minutes that followed, but the Dewsbury defence stood firm.
The sides traded knock-ons close to the Hornets line, and the Rams capitalised when Adam Ryder scythed over from Sykes’ looping pass.
Sykes was once again unable to add the two, but Dewsbury held a slender advantage as the contest approached half-time.
But the hosts were back in front before the interval.
After Farrell had seen a pass ruled forward close to the Rams line, a knock-on from Dewsbury handed their opponents another opportunity.
And Williams had enough power close to the line to cross for his second try.
Abram’s goal made it 12-8 at the break.
The Rams had a chance early in the second half when Farrell sent a kick out on the full.
And they took full advantage when Tom Garratt showed tremendous strength close to the line to ground the ball under a pile of bodies.
Sykes was wide with the conversion attempt, so the scores were level, but the Rams did retake the lead shortly after.
Sykes produced a smart flat pass to send Michael Knowles through a gaping hole.
Liam Finn assumed kicking responsibilities and added the extras, but a knock on from Worrincy on the kick-off return put Dewsbury on the back foot once again.
But the flying winger made amends for his error when he intercepted and raced 90 metres to score under the posts.
Finn added the goal and kicked a penalty shortly after to make it 12-26 with 25 minutes to play.
There was a let off for the visitors when Abram pounced following a dropped kick.
The Hornets winger thought he’d put the hosts back in it, but was ruled offside.
And the Rams again took full advantage when Knowles raced after Sam Day’s grubber kick and dotted down with millimetres to spare.
Finn’s goal gave Dewsbury a 20-point advantage.
The rainfall grew heavier as the second half progressed, introducing more errors into the game, which at this stage of the contest suited the visitors.
Knowles thought he was over for a hat-trick when he collected Gabriel’s pass inside, but the ball was ruled to have traveled forward.
Opportunities in the deteriorating conditions were few and far between during the final minutes of the match, with knock ons and slipped passes now dominating proceedings.
Rochdale saw another try chalked off for a forward pass, while Speakman saw a grubber run dead at the other end.
The win lifts Dewsbury two places in the Championship table and a step closer to securing safety from relegation.
Rochdale: Declan Kay, Shaun Ainscough, Brandon Wood, Daley Williams, Daniel Abram, Pieree Bourrel, Izaak Farrell, Lee Mitchell, Lewis Sheridan, Mike Weldon, Zac Baker, Kyle Shelford, Oscar Thomas.
Interchanges: Ben Kilner, Callum Marriott, Jordan Syme, Callum Wood
Dewsbury: Joe Martin, Rob Worrincy, Lucas Walshaw, Adam Ryder, Andy Gabriel, Paul Sykes, Liam Finn, Martyn Reilly, Dom Speakman, Frazer Morris, Owen Trout, Michael Knowles, Kyle Trout.
Interchanges: Sam Day, Jode Sheriffe, Nyle Flynn, Tom Garratt
Half-time: 12-8
Attendance: 574
