|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Dewsbury Rams 22 - 32 Whitehaven
Match report by Ossy.
I don’t know whether ‘Stevo’ really is a
Rams fan as they were singing in the South Stand last
night. I hope so, but I certainly became a ‘Stevo’ fan
last night. The game was over and we’d lost, though
Bossy’s last second try and Franny’s conversion earned
us a well deserved point, and Mick walks into the Royal
Suite after the game with a hundred people wanting a
word with him. What does he do?
He takes time out to stop and talk for a moment with a child wearing a Rams shirt. Not a hurried word delivered from on high mind you, but a down on his haunches chat, eye to eye and listening as well as delivering his words of wisdom. Don’t know what he said, but I’ll tell you one thing. The child will remember that moment the rest of their life, and that’s what makes the man. A good game, shame about the result, though to be honest Haven just about deserved it. The opening exchanges were pretty even, Francis Maloney edging the Rams in front with an 8th minute penalty. The lead lasted a mere two minutes; centre Seeds going over on the left to edge Haven in front and six minutes later they were back again. This time slick handling put winger Calvert over wide out, but again the conversion was missed. At this stage Haven seemed to be bossing things, but this Rams side have refused to roll over all season. A break from Robinson and a neat inside pass sent Francis Maloney dashing over the line from 30 yards out, and round behind the posts. Despite having to take the conversion twice, (referee Merrick wasn’t ready), the Rams were back on level terms. A few minutes later they were back in front, Maloney kicking a penalty awarded for stripping. Tit for tat, Fletcher’s penalty levelled matters again. Well into extra time now, and a good break from Buchanan put the Rams back on the attack, but the kick through went dead and Haven had one last chance. It was a chance they took well, sending Mattinson over for a try to the right of the posts, and Bainbridge’s goal eased Haven 16-10 in front at the break. The next score was always going to be crucial, and the early stages of the second half were tight. Both sides had their chances and it was 15 mins in before Francis Maloney’s cross kick was fumbled, allowing Chris Hall to stretch out and score. Maloney’s touchline goal levelled matters again, and got the crowd roaring. The team responded and it was still anybody’s game. Five minutes later Haven were back in front, scrum half Duffy burrowing over out on the right. Though the conversion was missed, the game probably slipped away a couple of minutes later with yet another blunder from a referee. In the best move of the game, the Rams sliced through and looked odds on to score only to be called back for a forward pass that blatantly wasn’t. When Ian Preece expressed his disbelief a little too forcefully, he was shown a yellow card for his troubles. Haven are too professional an outfit to let a chance like that slip by, and a couple of minutes later David Fatiolofa forced his way over for a try and Bainbridge’s goal eased them out to 16 – 26. Still a point to play for then, though even that seemed lost with a couple of minutes left when speedy winger Calvert scorched round the Rams defence and in behind the posts for his second try. Another goal from Bainbridge, Haven were 16 – 32 up and all seemed lost. Still, the last word went to the Rams. From a scrum in their own 25, Haven tried to move the ball left again, probably trying to utilise Culvert’s speed on the wing. The Rams were up quickly, and when the ball went loose Andy Bostock was first to react, scooping it up and planting it over the line beside the posts. Maloney’s goal on the hooter made the final score 22 – 32 and earned the Rams another point. That makes 4 bonus points, and how important will they be come the end of the season? Overall, Haven were probably the more skilful team, and I wouldn’t begrudge them the win, though I have to wonder how much Preece’s dismissal contributed to the final result. Both sets of supporters were first rate, not only during play but also in the Royal Suite after the game. Their teams were a credit to National League, and we saw a hard and fast game played without some of the unpleasantness we’ve seen on occasion this season. I can’t see Haven finishing lower than 3rd, and the Rams? Well, I think we're missing the influence of Josh Weedon at loose forward, but as Jason and Bossy get back to full fitness, and the side gets used to playing as a unit I reckon we’ll stay up, despite the fact that we still have to record our first home win of the League season. This side has a lot to show us yet, and I’m looking forward to the games still to come.
Rams: Ian Preece, Bryn Powell,
Chris Hall,
Danny Maun, Austin Buchanan, Francis
Maloney, Dean Lawford, Andy Hobson, Luke Haigh, Dominic
Maloney, Kevin Crouthers, Martin Robinson, Alex
Bretherton. Subs: Liam Finn, Andy Bostock, Jason
Southwell,
Keegan Hirst
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
