A sun-drenched stadium provided the backdrop for a momentous encounter between the top two teams in the Betfred League One standings, as both sides endeavoured to maintain their unblemished records.
As anticipated in this highly pressurized contest, the opening minutes were fraught with nerves, leading to a few errors from both teams.
However, it was the Rams who struck first, as Calum Turner effortlessly evaded the Doncaster defence with a mesmerizing show-and-go, resulting in the first score of the game.
Paul Sykes successfully converted the try, granting the Rams an early six-point advantage.
Shortly thereafter, the Dons retaliated, capitalizing on a fortuitous knock-on to gain a favourable field position.
This enabled Connor Robinson to exploit a gap in the Rams’ defensive line and score a try. Regrettably, Robinson failed to convert, leaving the home team with a slim two-point lead.
This marked the conclusion of the scoring in the first half, which lasted a mere fourteen minutes. The remaining portion of the half was characterised by tension, as both sides created several opportunities but failed to convert them into points.
HALF TIME | Dewsbury Rams 6 – 4 Doncaster
Shortly after the commencement of the second half, the Rams found themselves reduced to twelve men, as Calum Turner was sin-binned for a foul play incident following a break by Joshua Veacock of the visiting team.
Subsequently, Connor Robinson kicked a penalty goal, levelling the scores after the Rams attempted to pilfer the ball within five meters of their own try line.
Contrary to dampening the spirits of the home team, being a player down appeared to galvanize them. Capitalising on an advantageous field position, Paul Sykes executed a cross-field kick that was expertly gathered by Brad Graham, who then provided a pass to Simon Frewin, resulting in his first try of the afternoon.
Sykes impeccably converted the try amidst challenging gusts of wind, securing a six-point lead for the Rams.
Restored to a full complement of thirteen players, the Rams proceeded to score three tries in under five minutes, effectively sealing the fate of the game.
On the sixty-sixth minute, they were awarded a penalty try following an obstruction by Brett Ferres on Owen Restall, who was poised to pounce on Calum Turner’s grubber kick and score.
Brad Graham subsequently etched his name onto the scoresheet, leaping highest to claim possession of a Calum Turner kick. Soon after, Simon Frewin notched his second try of the game following an exquisite sweeping move down the left flank.
With a mere five minutes remaining, the visitors salvaged a consolation try when Jason Tali collected a grubber kick from Brett Ferres.
Following the game, Rams Head Coach Liam Finn expressed his elation, stating, “I am delighted with today’s victory. It was no secret that this was a pivotal fixture for both teams given our impressive starts to the season.”
Finn further remarked, “I believe it was an excellent contest, with both teams fully committed. There were moments when the outcome hung in the balance, but our players demonstrated tremendous resilience, particularly after the sin-binning, and scoring a try proved pivotal for us.”
FULL TIME | Dewsbury Rams 26-12 Doncaster
