Batley Bulldogs 19 - 18 Dewsbury Rams

Match report by Chris 'Ossy' Osbaldeston

Fans of both sides have been on a bit of a high all week following good wins against Hunslet and Fev respectively, though it was still a little early in the season to read too much into those performances. In fact yesterday’s result has merely served to muddy some already murky waters.

The Rams brought in Mark Field and Terre Glassie for their first game in the Red, Amber and Black in an error-strewn performance fought out beneath the blue skies of Batley. Don’t you just love winter football?

Both sides seemed a little on edge in the early stages, with the Bulldogs putting up a series of high, swirling kicks to welcome full back Mark Field, while at the other end Dean Lawford was doing the same, and though both sides had their moments, both defences held out until the 24th minute. Ironic then that it should be Danny Maun who broke the deadlock, charging down Dean Lawford’s attempted clearance before gathering up the bouncing ball and racing in under the posts for the opening try. Francis Maloney added the conversion and the dogs were 6 – 0 up.

Though the defences remained on top, the Rams were beginning to exert some pressure of their own, and it was no surprise when centre Chris Langley took the ball at speed and stretched out for their first try. As if to emphasise the difference seven days can make, Pat Walker missed a conversion he should have kicked, and a few minutes limped out of the game with an ankle injury. The way things turned out, this might have been one of the key moments, but the final moments of the half were played out in the same dour fashion.

Half time :- Bulldogs 6 Rams 4.

The second half began with the Rams on the offensive. Austin Buchanan seemed over after a Lawford cross kick, but was held just short, and now it was the Bulldogs chance to turn the screw. Good defence from the Rams held them out until a fiery exchange in the shadow of their posts resulted in a crucial penalty which Maloney slotted over to stretch the Bulldogs lead to 8 – 4.

To be honest, both sides were making far too many errors at this stage. The centre combination of Bostock and Langley, so effective against Fev last week were watched closely and scarcely got a look in. Both packs were giving their all, and chances continued to be at a premium until the 57th minute when Bulldogs loose forward Ash Lindsay forced his way over close to the posts. Maloney added the extras and the Dogs were in front at 14 – 4.

With the game slipping away, the Rams were pushed into playing a more expansive style, but it was well into the last quarter before they got over. Swift handling going right created the overlap for winger Bryn Powell to go over in the corner. Though the conversion was missed, the Rams were back in the game and the tension was building.

The best move of the game then saw them level the score. Great interplay between Langley and Weeden set up Mark Field for the try, and Liam Finn’s conversion levelled the scores at 14 – 14. If the Rams thought they’d done enough to get themselves back in the game, they soon learnt different. Josh Weeden fumbled the kick off to give the Bulldogs position before Francis Maloney dummied his way over to score. Though he was unable to add the conversion, the Dogs were back in front 18 –14.

It might not have been a classic game, but it was building up to an exciting finish and sure enough the Rams came back Attacking down the left, they swept the ball across the field, working the overlap well only for the final pass to go astray. Three minutes later though, they were back on the other side of the pitch, Austin Buchanan out jumping Bolu Fagborun to gather Dean Lawford’s cross kick to level the scores again at 18 all.

Two minutes to go and, as the seconds ticked away, it was the Bulldogs who worked the position. I think everyone in the ground knew what was going to happen. Luke Stenchion set up the position, and for all their efforts, none of the Rams could get close to Maloney and his drop kick sailed between the posts to snatch the win for the Dogs at the last. Final score Batley Bulldogs 19 Dewsbury Rams 18.

It was hardly a classic, there were far too many mistakes for that, but the latter stages of the second half had the fans of both sides chewing their fingernails. The dogs have the bragging rights for the next couple of weeks, and probably just about deserved it. Once more they got in our faces and wouldn’t allow us to play the game our way. They won’t be the only side to do that this season, so we’d better get used to it.

Teams :- DEWSBURY RAMS Mark Field; Bryn Powell; Chris Langley; Andrew Bostock; Austin Buchanan; Josh Weeden; Dean Lawford; Aaron Trinder; Luke Haigh; Dominic Maloney; Martin Robinson; John Gledhill; Pat Walker. Subs :- Liam Finn; Terre Glassie; Joe Helme; David Rourke.

BATLEY BULLDOGS Ian Preece; Jamie Stokes; Kevin King; Danny Maun; Bolu Fagborun; Francis Maloney; Paul Mennell; John Simpson; Andrew Boothroyd; Luke Stenchion; Kevin Crouthers; Andy Jarrett; Ashley Lindsay. Subs :- Kris Lythe; Byron Smith; Anthony Henderson; Mark Toohey.

Referee :- M. Dawber.

Attendance :- 1169