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Dewsbury Rams 36 - 38 Halifax

Match report by Chris 'Ossy' Osbaldeston

It's strange to find myself looking back at this afternoon's game with such
disappointment. A few hours ago I'd have been perfectly happy with a point against
Halifax. Tonight I'm disappointed, because we could, and probably should have had
all three.

This was one of those end to end games that keep both sets of fans on tenterhooks,
and guarantee that managers will develop ulcers at a comparatively early age. Good
passages of play from both sides were followed by regular errors, forced and otherwise.
It was a great game for the uncommitted, only there weren't too many of them at The
Rams stadium today.

We didn't get off to the best of starts. An early explosive moment from Andy Hobson
was followed almost immediately by The Rams defence failing to lay a hand on
Damian Ball as he went over on the right. Thankfully for us two things then
happened. Graham Holroyd's conversion hit the post, and The Rams defence turned
up – six minutes late maybe, but you know what they say – better late than never.

There followed fifteen minutes of cut and thrust before scrum half Sean Penkywicz
slipped the inside pass that sent Phil Joseph over for Fax's second try. Graham
Holroyd's conversion stretched their lead to 10 – 0, and they deserved it.

Josh Weeden limped off with a worrying injury, but the game was picking up nicely
now. Fax broke down the middle, though Austin Buchanan got back to snuff out the
danger. The ball went loose and now it was The Rams sweeping back to the other end
where Martin Robinson burst over for their first score of the afternoon and Liam
Finn's conversion narrowed the gap to 6 – 10.

Holroyd's restart kick went out on the full, and The Rams were right back at the other
end. This time it was Joe Helme who drove over for his first try since joining The
Rams, Finn converted and Dewsbury were in front at 12-10. Half time might have
been approaching at a rate of knots, but the two sides were really getting warmed up.

Fax were applying the pressure now, and full back Shad Royston crossed on the left,
Holroyd converting to give Fax the lead at 16 – 12. It seemed that was it for the first
half, but there was still time enough though for the Rams to get down to the other end
where prop Andy Hobson powered in under the posts for his second try in consecutive
games. Pat Walker converted and Rams went in at the break with a lead of 18 – 16.

The second half began in similar vein, only this time it was the Rams who got the
early break. Some slick passing on the right saw Bryn Powell cut inside from his wing
to score on the right, a try to which Pat Walker added the extras. Their eight point
lead only lasted some five minutes though. Ex Ram Frank Watene caused the trouble
with a break down the middle and a smart offload to Paul Smith who sent hooker Sam
Hoare racing in under the posts. Holroyd goaled and the gap was back to two, 24 – 22.

Twenty minutes to go and a Fax knock on gave the Rams chance to mount an attack
at the other end where good interplay between Pat Walker and Alex Bretherton, sent
the stand off racing over for his try. Walker converted and the Rams were eight in
front again.

No chance to take a breather though, this was exciting, end to end football, and Fax
came straight back. Good play sending Gibson in under the posts, and Holroyd's kick
cutting the lead to two with ten minutes on the clock.

Fax had their tails up at this point, and second row Dave Larder went over for the try
that got them back in front for the first time in the half at 32 – 30. The game was still
in the balance, though the minutes were slipping away. Back to back sets saw Fax
pressing strongly and, almost inevitably, it was Frank Watene's charge under the
posts that finally settled matters. Holroyd added the points and at 38 – 30, they
seemed home and dry.

Even now there was a twist in the tail Bryn Powell popping up on the left to bounce
off three Fax defenders before sending Austin Buchanan tearing down the middle.
Though the defence just got to the wingman, they couldn't stop his inside ball to the
supporting Danny Maun who did well to get to the line. Pat Walker's conversion
narrowed the gap to 36 – 38 as the hooter sounded.

So we got the bonus point I'd have been happy with earlier and still I'm disappointed.
We've shown we can match most sides in NL1, with the exception of the top two;
now we need the steel to close out games like this when the chance is there.

Attendance 1183.
Ref R Hicks

Rams: Chris Hall, Bryn Powell, Alex Bretherton, Danny Maun, Austin Buchanan, Patrick Walker, Dean Lawford, Andy Hobson, Liam Finn, Dominic Maloney, Rob Kelly, Martin Robinson, Josh Weeden. Subs: Luke Haigh, Andy Spink, Joe Helme, Liam Crawley.

Tries: Powell, Maun, Walker, Hobson, Robinson, Helme
Goals: Finn (4), Walker (2)