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Dewsbury Rams 27 - 18 Leigh Centurions

Match report by Chris 'Ossy' Osbaldeston

What a difference a week can make. Seven days ago I made the journey back from Cas in a gloomy silence. Today there was a smile on my face and a song in my heart – something about AK and his barmy army if I remember it right.

Injury kept out Kevin Crouthers and Chris Hall, though Ian Preece did play, despite the injury to his foot picked up at Cas, and Pat Walker played from the start at loose forward.

The first few sets were pretty even. Leigh were actually over after 5 minutes, only to be called back for a forward pass and, at the other end, Andrew Bostock almost got over a few minutes later. The Rams kept up the pressure, and 12 mins in they were first to trouble the scorers. Francis Maloney cutting through on the right for the opening try, and tagging on the conversion for good measure.

The Rams defence was more solid than it has been at times this season, and Leigh seemed strangely uncertain. They were giving away silly penalties, one of which Maloney kicked to edge the lead out to 8 – 0. Still the Rams kept the pressure on, denying Leigh the opportunity to get back into the game. On the half hour mark, the Centurions full back Rob Smyth was stretchered off with a serious looking injury. Hope it isn’t as bad as it seemed.

Rams continued to press. Pat Walker broke through, only to lose his footing with one man to beat. But Leigh are a decent NL 1 side, and they were knocking on the Rams line when a loose ball was picked up by Bryn Powell who set off for the posts at the far end of the pitch. For once he was hauled down in the Leigh half, but the Rams moved the ball smartly left, where Austin Buchanan’s inside pass was collected by Danny Maun to go over for the Rams second try. Maloney’s conversion went over off the post. The Rams were 14 – 0 up, and though I wasn’t exactly chanting, I was humming nicely to the chorus from the South Stand.

It was in first half injury time that Leigh got back into the game, with prop Cookson forcing his way over from close range. Couturier’s conversion gave them some hope, and sparked off a few anxious discussions at half time.

Half time Rams 14 – Centurions 6.

Franny Maloney went off injured late in the half, and didn’t take the field at the start of the second forty. After giving away a score in the dying moments of the first half, it was important the Rams kept things tight early doors. In fact they did more than keep things tight, they got the early score they needed. After a good thrust on the South Stand side, Dean Lawford’s pinpoint cross kick was collected by Alex Bretherton who scored to the right of the posts. Liam Finn added the conversion in Franny’s absence.

The tackling was more committed than it’s been at times season, and Leigh seemed to lack the creativity to get through it. In fact it took a piece of individual brilliance from Leroy Rivett to get them back into the game. Kicking through from a loose ball deep in his own half, he collected the ball to go over for the Centurion’s second try. Heremiah converted, and Leigh were back in the game at 20 – 12, with 25 mins still left on the clock.

Worse still, Andy Bostock, who’d been causing the Leigh defence problems all afternoon, took a bad knock and joined Franny on the sidelines. Though the latter soon came back, this time it was to replace Dean Lawford.

On this occasion it was the Rams who hit right back. Another cross kick led to another try, this time to winger Austin Buchanan, and Liam Finn’s touchline conversion restored the Rams lead to 12 points.

Memories of the previous games we’ve seen between these two sides this season were stirred when second row Thomas went over on the right. Heremiah matched Liam Finn’s kicking with a goal from the touchline and the score was 26 –18.

This time though, the Rams defence held firm. One memorable tackle from Ian Preece, stood out for me, and the Leigh offensive blew itself out. Props Maloney and Hobson began to punch holes in a tiring defence. Nothing clear cut mind you, though several times it was only desperate tackling that brought them down.

With ten minutes on the clock, Liam Finn’s left footed drop kick ended the scoring at 27 – 18. The Rams were home and dry, and saw out the final few minutes in relative comfort.

All round, an excellent performance. Alex got M.O.M., and probably deserved it, though all 17 deserve praise for a gutsy and skilful performance. Keegan Hirst, continues to improve, Liam Finn held things together well, particularly when Franny and Deano went off. Martin Robinson continues to impress with solid performances week after week and Pat Walker at loose forward also caught the eye. Though to be honest, this was first and foremost a team performance, possibly the best I’ve seen the Rams give this season.

Roll on the Dogs.
Attendance 1,601.
Ref G. Hewer

Rams: Ian Preece, Bryn Powell, Andrew Bostock, Danny Maun, Austin Buchanan, Francis Maloney, Dean Lawford, Andy Hobson, Luke Haigh, Dominic Maloney, Martin Robinson, Alex Bretherton, Pat Walker. Subs: Liam Finn, Rob Kelly, Joe Helme, Keegan Hirst.