Batley Bulldogs 22 - 20 Dewsbury Rams

Match report by Ossy

What a game!

Wrong result of course, at least it was from my point of view, but this one had everything that is good about Rugby League. National League I’m talking about now. Proper Rugby played by local rivals giving their all.

It would be all too easy to look at the scores and say that we lost this one in the last ten minutes or so. Only I’m not sure that we did. Actually I think we probably lost this one in the first ten minutes. Or to be more precise, Batley won it in the first ten minutes.

The first few sets were played out up and down the pitch, but on 3 minutes Tom Hemingway scampered through a Rams defence that looked as though they were still watching out for The Red Devils parachute team. (they had to cancel by the way, something to do with the wind.) To add insult to injury, he also kicked the goal and the Dogs were six in front.

Four minutes later it was ten. Danny Speakman going over on the left, though Hemingway missed the conversion in a difficult, swirling wind that turned any kind of kick into a lottery.

Four minutes later though the Rams got back into the game. A barrelling run up the middle from Andy Hobson set up the position. Dean Lawford’s kick was gathered by Austin Buchanan who touched down in the corner. Not surprisingly, Francis Maloney’s conversion attempt from the touchline was carried wide by the wind. At 10 – 4 though, the Rams were back in the game.

After such a hectic start, things quietened down for ten minutes, until Lawford’s high kick was held up in the wind. Andy Bostock collected the ball and charged for the line. Though tackled, he managed to stretch out an arm to score, though the price was a high one, and may actually have cost the Rams the game. Francis Maloney converted to level the scores, but Bostock was headed for the stands with a dislocated shoulder.

At this point the Rams were putting on pressure. Some of the Dogs kicking could have been better. They were going too deep and giving the likes of Preece, Powell and Buchanan plenty of time to collect and run the ball back. The Army sensed it and began to shout. The Dogs fans sensed it as well, and began to moan.

It was no surprise to anyone when Rob Kelly drove over from close range for a deserved try on 35 minutes. Maloney’s conversion edging the Rams in front for the first time at 16 – 10. The half came to a close with the Rams pressing again.

Half Time RAMS 16 – Dogs 10.

Time to pick up a coffee and a meat pie, but the queues were long and by the time I got back to my place, the Army had decamped to the far end. I was standing in the middle of the Dogs fans, trying to juggle a mug of coffee, a hot meat pie, a pen and a pad. Oh and watch what was going on out on the pitch at the same time.

The second half began the same way as the first had done, with another early and easy try, only this time it went to the Rams. Lawford’s kick was collected by Buchanan who raced over in the corner. Around me – deathly silence, and though Maloney missed the conversion I thought the Rams were home and dry at 20 – 10 and maybe they should have been.

Don’t know what Gary Thornton said to his side at half time, but he should bottle it and sell it on E-Bay. He’d make a fortune. This was a different side altogether to the one that finished the first half, they were playing with heart. The Rams were having trouble getting hold of the ball, and even more trouble hanging on to it for more than a few plays at a time.

The easy thing would be to blame the Rams players, but that would be unfair. They still gave it their all, but the Dogs were on a roll and deserve credit for the way they fought back from a losing position.

The Rams defence was solid, though sometimes desperate. Buchanan’s head high tackle would probably have earned him time in the bin if it hadn’t been for the cameras. That’s the second such tackle he’s made in the last three games, and though he was isolated on both occasions, he needs to get his technique sorted out.

For all the pressure, the Rams defence held and it was 30 minutes into the second half before the Dogs got back on the scoreboard, Ash Lindsay touching down to the right of the posts, and Hemingway’s goal narrowing the lead. 20 – 16 to the Rams and ten minutes left on the clock. Like I said, this was some game, another pearler for Sky’s Rugby followers.

Even the weather wanted a say. The rain was lashing into their faces as the Rams struggled to hold on to all three points. A struggle that wasn’t helped when Dean Lawford was sin binned for a high tackle with some 7 or 8 minutes left. Now it was real back to the walls stuff, and somehow the outcome was inevitable. Kris Lythe storming over on the left with four minutes on the clock. The crowd held its breath, Tom Hemingway held his nerve and the Dogs were back in front at 22 – 20.

The Rams last chance went with yet another knock on, and it was the Dogs who almost had the final word. Hemingway’s attempted drop hitting the post and rebounding into play as the final hooter sounded.

Three points to the Dogs, one to us. Should have been the other way round, but credit the Dogs for fighting back from a losing position. For the neutral it was probably an enjoyable game, for me it was two points lost, and the Dogs have the bragging rights for now. But then, there’s always the next time. Hopefully there always will be, these two clubs need each other.

Chris

Rams: Preece, Powell, Bostock, Maun, Buchanan, F Maloney, Lawford, Hobson, Haigh, D Maloney, Robinson, Bretherton, Walker. Subs: Finn, Kelly, Helme, Crouthers.

Tries: Buchanan (2), Bostock, Kelly.
Goals: Maloney (2)