Good report IMO from a Dewsbury fan.
Ossy, on 21 February 2011 - 09:47 AM, said:
DONCASTER 18 DEWSBURY RAMS 30.
Given the impressive defensive display we saw from the Rams last week, the supporters were expecting more than the rather inept opening we saw from them down at Doncaster today. In those early moments the home side seemed to be breaking the Rams defensive line almost at will, so much so that it was no great surprise when Paul Hughes scored the opening try for the home side after only five minutes, Scott Spaven adding the conversion.
Even now the Rams continued to struggle and only a superb tackle in the corner from Michael Wainwright stopped them adding to their lead a couple of minutes later. It was to prove a temporary reprieve however, for a couple of minutes later Craig Robinson barrelled over for Donny’s second try, Spaven’s conversion extending their lead to 12 – 0.
Up to this point Doncaster had pretty much dominated matters, but now the Rams seemed to get more possession and began to fight their way back into the game. Though it took them another ten minutes or so to register their first score, it was a purple patch which went a long way towards securing their second win of the new season.
Having been awarded a penalty in the shadow of the Doncaster posts the Rams decided to run it, prop Anthony England driving over for their first try and Dominic Brambani adding the conversion.
From the restart a powerful run out of defence from Keegan Hirst set off a superb attack down the left hand side of the pitch, a move that resulted in centre Scott Turner crossing for the Rams second try in as many minutes. Two minutes later they were in the lead, Brambani cutting through a static defence to score to the left of the posts before adding the conversion.
Suddenly the game had been turned on its head and the Rams were playing with more confidence though the score remained at 12 – 18 until the half time whistle. The main topic of interest among their supporters was the appearance of new signing Jordan Tansey around the half hour mark.
The second half opened with more Rams pressure, Luke Blake seizing on a loose ball to slide over the line from close range with Brambani adding the extras again. A few minutes later, a searing run from Tansey almost saw him on the scoreboard, but the defence held him at the last.
The early moments of this second half saw Doncaster suffer from a series of injuries, though that didn’t stop them fighting back with a try from Adam Scott and another Spaven conversion around the hour mark.
Rams certainly weren’t having things all their own way. Play was switching from end to end though once more they managed to conjure up a try just at the right moment. This time it was young loose forward Josh Tonks who collected a high kick to plunge over by the posts for his second try in two weeks. Brambani’s conversion stretched their score to 30 – 18 and that was all we got on the day.
The game degenerated somewhat over that last quarter with both sides making too many mistakes for either coach to be totally satisfied with their charges, but then it’s still a little early to be making any final decisions about the coming season. Next week's game at home to the Border Raiders should tell us more as well as deciding our progress, (or lack of it)in this season's Northern Rail Cup competition. A draw will be enough to see us move on into the next stage, but against Barrow that will be no easy task.
Final Score :- DONCASTER 18 DEWSBURY RAMS 30
Dewsbury Rams :- 1. James Craven; 5. Austin Buchanan; 13. Ayden Faal; 4. Scott Turner; 2. Michael Wainwright; 7. Dominic Brambani; 25. Tom Wandless; 8. Anthony England; 9. Luke Blake; 10. Keegan Hirst; 11. Rob Spicer; 12. James Lockwood; 15. Josh Tonks.
Subs :- 16. Adam Hayes; 18. Shaun Emblem; 23. Luke Menzies; Jordan Tansey.
Doncaster :- 21. Paul Hughes; 17. Adam Scott; 2. Stewart Sanderson; 18. Ashley Williams; 15. Craig Robinson; 16. Mike Emmett; 19. Scott Spaven; 5. Dean Colton; 1. Michael Butterfield; 8. Matt Carbutt; 25. Chris Spurr; 4. Shaun Leaf; 20. Jamie Bovill.
Subs :- 9. Kyle Keswick; 10. Liam Crawley; 13. Jack Ely; 14. Scott Wilson.
Referee :- Mr. C. Leatherbarrow.
Attendance :- 555