Dewsbury Rams Academy 48 - 12 Whitehaven Academy

Match report by Chris 'Ossy' Osbaldeston

Couldn’t make it to Leigh this weekend, so instead I took the chance to watch the next generation of Rams battle Whitehaven in the Academy playoffs; and what a performance, particularly in the second half sunshine.

The first ten minutes were pretty even as the two sides felt their way into the game, but it was the Rams who struck first. Slick passing out of the tackle gave winger Morgan Starkey room to squeeze over in the corner. Two minutes later it was second row John Oakes, bursting down the middle and handing on for Ryan Glynn to finish the move with a try beneath the posts, before adding the conversion to his own try.

For a while it looked as though the Rams were controlling things, but Haven weren’t here to make up the numbers. Slowly they worked their way back into the game, a recovery that started with right winger John Lebbon’s try on 24 minutes, converted by scrum half Mark Bainbridge.

With half an hour gone, Ryan Glynn’s penalty edged the Rams out to 12 – 6, but it was a far closer game now, and it was no surprise when Haven levelled the scores a couple of minutes before the end of the half. Second row Mark Shackley dancing through a Rams defence that seemed strangely reluctant to offer anything in the way of a tackle. Again, Bainbridge added the extras to level the scores 12 – 12 at half time.

I wouldn’t care to hazard a guess at what Jim Ratcliffe said to the team at halftime, well I could, but such things are best kept in the changing rooms. Suffice to say that it worked. Though the game was never easy, Rams came out guns blazing for the second half; suddenly they were competing again.

John Oakes provided the link, and the overhead pass that enabled winger James Craven to squeeze in at the corner, Ryan Glynn’s touchline conversion was the icing on the cake. That the game could still go either way was perfectly illustrated around the twelfth minute. Whitehaven were almost over at one end, before a long, sweeping run from full back Tom Colleran fell inches short when he lost the ball right on the line.

Tom’s all round display bodes well for his future. He seemed solid under the high ball, and ran the ball up well. Some huge tackles were going in from both sides around this period, particularly from rams prop Danny Wray. The whole side responded, and finally the pressure began to tell. On eighteen minutes Andrew Tillotson’s high kick was fumbled by Haven, allowing second row Chris Grice to gather and go over for his first try. Four minutes later he was over again, juggling the ball before crashing over for his second try. Glynn’s conversion stretched the lead to 28 – 12 and the Rams were firing on all cylinders.

A good break from Taran Wildey sent Ryan Glynn close. Right away the ball was spun wide and James Craven was over in the corner for his second try. The next try deservedly went to John Oakes, bursting through the cover in the centre of the field, angling left and winning the race to the line. Glynn’s conversion took the Rams out to 38 – 12.

Danny Ratcliffe was the next to get in on the act, side stepping his way through a tiring Haven defence for a classic stand off’s try. With time almost up, another huge tackle from the Rams jarred the ball free. Danny Ratcliffe kicked ahead and gathered the ball only to be hauled down short of the line. A quick play the ball was gathered by loss Ratcliffe, who also showed a nifty turn of foot to cut through and score the final try. Ryan Glynn’s conversion extended the margin of victory to 48 12.

There were too many plus points to list them all here, but it was good to hear TC barking out his instructions from full back. The half back pairing of Tillotson and Danny Ratcliffe kept the ball moving nicely and the pack never took a backward step. That was vital, particularly in the first fifteen minutes of the second half when the game could have swung either way.

Now it’s away to Widnes in the next round, with two wins against them already this season, a state of affairs the opposition will be determined to put right. I’ve said it before, nothing in this game comes easy but then, if it did, the game wouldn’t be worth playing would it?

Teams.

Dewsbury Rams :- Tom Colleran; James Craven; Ryan Glynn; Adam Rudys; Morgan Starkey; Daniel Ratcliffe; Andrew Tillotson; Liam Crawley; Joe Waters; Daniel Wray; Chris Grice; John Oakes; Taran Wildey. Subs :- Joss Ratcliffe; Gary North; Kyle Sampson; Allistair McMaster

Whitehaven :- Craig Benson; John Lebbon; Daniel Smith; Craig McVoy; Reece David; Ash Elsley; Mark Bainbridge; Andrew Jones; Chris Smith; Richard Farrer; Craig Hodgson; Mark Shackley; Rob Jackson. Subs :- Stephen Fox; Gary Johnson; Craig McNally; Adam Ramsden.

Referee :- Mr. Everitt.