Dewsbury Rams 34 - 36 Halifax

Match report by Chris 'Ossy' Osbaldeston

As soon as I’ve checked out the team sheet I always take a look and see which ref we’ve drawn. There are several now that make me groan when I see the name, and I’m afraid Gareth Hewer is one of them. Ever the optimist I always like to think that “maybe things will be different today,” and somehow Mr. Hewer always manages to disappoint me. I don’t think I’m asking for all that much, just even handedness from the match officials every now and again, but even that seems beyond them at times.

The trip down to Bridgend on Good Friday cost us dear, with Pat Walker, Dominic Maloney and Dean Lawford all joining Bryn Powell on a growing injury list, but even so the Rams put in another excellent performance against one of the favourites for this season’s N.L. 1 title.

The game began quietly enough, but built into a classic that either side could have won or lost on the bounce of the ball. It was that close.

Fax struck the first blow around the 12th minute, exposing the weakness down the middle of our defence that’s haunted us all season. This time it was scrum half Sean Penkywicz cutting through to score the try, Graham Holroyd added the conversion and Fax were 6 points to the good. A couple of minutes later good running from their props threatened again, though on this occasion the defence held firm and the Rams began to work their way back into the game.

First Lam Finn, playing at scrum half in place of Dean Lawford forced his way over, but was unable to ground the ball. 3 minutes later though he was back for another go, this time touching down his own grubber kick before adding the conversion to level the scores. Though the Rams were playing better, they were conceding too many penalties and, all too often failing to complete their sets, putting themselves under unnecessary pressure.

It was no real surprise when Penkywicz picked up his second try, racing in beneath the posts for Holroyd to add the conversion. Next, big Frank Watene came charging down the middle, and though he was hauled to the ground, it was at the expense of a yellow card for Liam Finn. Maybe next time Liam will pick on someone his own size! With the Rams a man down, Fax began to turn the screw. This time it was Shad Royston who scored the try and again Holroyd added the extras.

Suddenly Fax were 18-6 up and seemed in control, but the game was beginning to bubble up nicely and, against the odds the Rams came right back at them. Another break from Penkywicz was halted when the ball went loose around halfway. Dewsbury were the first to react, full back Mark Field picking up and racing in to the right of the posts to put the Rams back in the game. Josh Weeden added the conversion.

Even now the half wasn’t over. The Rams came charging right back and this time it was Austin Buchanan following Weeden’s grubber kick to the corner to score again. Weeden’s excellent conversion attempt came back off the posts. We didn’t know it at the time, but those few inches were finally to decide the game. HT Rams 16 Halifax 18.

The second half was only minutes old when the Rams edged in front for the first time with Chris Langley taking Alex Bretherton’s pass to go over on the right. With Finn back on the pitch, his conversion put them 22-18 up. Five minutes later, Langers added his second try following good work from Weeden and Field. Once more Finn added the conversion and the lead stretched out to 28-18.

Around the 20-minute mark the Rams were almost over again, though the Fax defence held firm and the pendulum began to swing again. A smart kick ahead was gathered in by a Rams defender, who was then bundled into touch to set up the position from which sustained Halifax pressure saw Holroyd go over for a try, and add the conversion. 5 minutes later they were back again, centre Goddard cutting through to score behind the posts, Holroyd adding yet another goal.

With the final minutes ticking away, the Rams seemed to be tiring, and prop Dave Wrench drove over under the posts. Holroyd added the goal for a perfect 5/5, and Fax seemed home and dry at 36-28. Only even now the Rams weren’t done. With the crowd roaring them on they came back again, Liam Finn stretching his arm to score his second try before adding the conversion, taking the score to 36-34 with only a matter of seconds to go.

And then we had the finale. Austin Buchanan hacking on a loose ball and we had players of both sides racing to reach the ball as it ran towards the try line. As rugby balls tend to do, this one bounced awkwardly at the last and though Chris Langley touched down for what should have been the winning score, Mr. Hewer disallowed it for a knock on, blew his whistle and headed quickly for the changing rooms.

Apparently the video recording shows that on this occasion he made a mistake, but that’s life. Another excellent game between two good sides ended with a 36-34 victory for Halifax, a surprisingly similar game, and result to the corresponding fixture last season. Maybe next time Mr. Hewer referees one of our fixtures things will even themselves out, but please excuse me if I don't hold my breath.

TEAMS:- Dewsbury Rams :- Mark Field; Tom Colleran; Chris Langley; Andrew Bostock; Austin Buchanan; Josh Weeden; Liam Finn; Aaron Trinder; Richard Chapman; Joe Helme; Martin Robinson; Alex Bretherton; Tere Glassie. Subs:- Luke Haigh; David Clayton; David Rourke; Jake Wilson.
Halifax :- Shad Royston; Lee Patterson; Jon Goddard; James Haley; Andy Smith; Graham Holroyd, Sean Penkywicz; Paul Southern; Janan Billings; Dave Wrench; Dave Larder; Paul Smith; Miles Greenwood. Subs:- Andy Gorski; Richard Varkulis; Dana Wilson; Frank Watene.

Referee:- Gareth Hewer.
Attendance:- 2,002