Dewsbury Rams 56 - 24 Featherstone Rovers

Match report by Ossy

Well that’s it, the first truly competitive game of a brand new season, though I’m not sure the Fev supporters will see it that way this morning. My initial euphoria lasted no more than 3 minutes, which was the time it took Fev to get on the board with a try from scrum half Joe McLocklan.

In these early stages it was one-way traffic, all heading in the direction of the Rams try line. Luck, and good defence, held the line and in the end it was the Rams who hit back. A storming run from Andy Bostock down the Main Stand side, and a smart inside pass put full back Tom Colleran over for the Rams first try. Patch Walker’s conversion eased them onto a lead they never really looked like losing.

For a while the game remained fairly even, but slowly, strong running allied to a solid defence gave the Rams the upper hand and just short of the 20 minute mark they were on the scoreboard again. A break down the middle saw Luke Haigh up in support and scampering to the line for a well-worked try, again Walker added the extras.

Three minutes later and they were back again. Dean Lawford’s 40-20 kick supplied the platform from which they launched an attack on the narrow side, and Andy Bostock’s strength saw him reach out for their third try. Walker’s conversion from close to touch on a cold and breezy day was a gem, and suddenly Rams were 18 – 4 in front.

Just as it seemed they were stretching away, Fev came back with a try from second row Craig Cawthray, Stuart Dickens tagging on the extras. For a few minutes things were in the balance again, until, on the half hour mark, centre Chris Langley forced his way over, and again Pat Walker converted.

Another storming run from Bostock, was followed by a break from Dean Lawford, though Liam Crawley was unable to hang on to what should have been a scoring pass. Deano didn’t let that upset him though, and 2 minutes later he was through again, and this time it was Tom Colleran up in support from fullback to take the pass and score. Maintaining his 100% record, Pat Walker added the conversion and Rams were away at 30 – 10.

Throughout the first half Fev had been coming up fast at the play the ball, and were made to pay when Josh Weeden collected his own chip ahead and passing inside to Walker, whose sublime take and pass put second row Jon Gledhill over on the right. Again Walker supplied the conversion as the halftime whistle sounded. Rams 36 Fev 10.

The second half began in much the same way as the first. Fev’s early pressure resulted in a try on the left for loose forward Tommy Haughey after 3 minutes, though the Rams were soon back into their stride.

Dean Lawford’s boot was proving lethal around this time, and his cross kick was knocked back for Gledhill to collect and power over for his second try of the game. Pat Walker’s conversion was his seventh. Another Lawford cross kick and the speed of Bryn Powell’s follow up had Fev in all sorts of trouble. A hurried pass inside went loose and was gathered up by Dominic Maloney who went over for the easiest try he’ll score all season. Fair reward though for the hard yards he made throughout the game. Once more Pat Walker added the points, giving him a perfect 8/8 for the afternoon and stretching the rams lead to 48 –14.

We were 20 minutes in before Fev got back on the board, stand off Andy Kain skipping though a static Rams defence to score at the posts. Stuart Dickens conversion narrowed the gap slightly, but on the half hour Bostock was at the centre of the action again, knocking down another cross kick for Martin Robinson to collect and score.

Pat Walker was off the field at this point and, rather cruelly I thought, Liam Finn’s missed conversion didn’t go unnoticed on the South Stand. Right from the kick off, Rams scored again with possibly the best try of the game. Bryn Powell collected the kick, and burst through the onrushing defence, pinned back his ears and set off for the distant try line. In the end Fev full back Tommy Saxton hauled him down, though not before Bryn had offloaded the ball. Josh Weeden picked up and carved his way to the line out on the right.

This time Liam’s long conversion attempt hit the woodwork. Fev never stopped trying, and got their final reward with centre McHugh forcing his way over right at the end to complete the scoring at Rams 56 – Fev 24.

A surprising result I feel for both sets of supporters, but it’s early days yet, and neither side should read too much into this result. Remember, the Rams have the likes of Mark Field, Richard Chapman, Joe Helme, Kane Epati, Chris Hall and Terre Glassie still to make an appearance, and Alex Bretherton is 3 weeks away from his return. Like I said, it’s early days, but that’s a pretty powerful bunch of players to have up your sleeve, and I’m sure all will have a part to play in the coming months.

Fev’s explosive start had us on the back foot for the first few minutes, but once the team settled, there was only one side ever going to come away with the win. The forwards were up to the task, and the likes of Bostock and Langley at centre will cause problems to more than Fev this season. I enjoyed watching Luke Haigh running the ball from acting half, and Dom Maloney offloading as he went down in the tackle and then being up in support to take a return pass only seconds later.

All in all a promising start to the season.

TEAMS:-
Dewsbury Rams :- Tom Colleran; Bryn Powell; Chris Langley; Andrew Bostock; Austin Buchanan; Josh Weeden; Dean Lawford; Aaron Trinder; Luke Haigh; Dominic Maloney; Martin Robinson; Jon Gledhill; Patrick Walker; Subs :- Liam Finn; Liam Crawley; Jake Wilson; David Rourke.

Featherstone Rovers:- Tommy Saxton; Wayne Price; Andy Kirk; Wayne McHugh; Lee Lingard; Andy Kain; Joe McLocklan; Tony Tonks; Kevin Eadie; Stuart Dickens; Jamie Field; Craig Cawthray; Tommy Haughey. Sube :- Scott Wilson; James Houston; Ian Tonks; Steve Dooler.

Referee :- Mr. R. Hicks Attendance 1,484 Man of Match :- Andrew Bostock.