Tuesday 29 December 2009

26.12.09: Dewsbury Rams 12 - 20 Batley Bulldogs

No fewer than 18 new faces took to the field for the traditional boxing day derby between the Rams and the Bulldogs with coaches Karl Harrison and Warren Jowitt taking the opportunty to give their new signings a snowy baptism in front of a healthy crowd at the Tetley's Stadium.

The bragging rights were up for grabs right up until impressive Bulldogs debutant Jason Walton broke through with three minutes remaining and found centre Mark Cunningham, on trial from Hunslet Warriors, who crashed over to give his a decisive 20-12 advantage. The lead had changed hands three times previously with both sides struggling to build any sort of momentum in an error strewn, stop-and-start game.

Alex Bretherton opened the scoring for the home side after regaininig his footing following a half break from just inside Bulldogs' territory. Bretherton, in his sixth season with Dewsbury, was not completely tackled and was given time by the scrambling visiting defence to haul himself up and over the try line out wide. Patch Walker could not add the extras though and it was these misses that would eventually prove costly at full-time.

The visitors were doing ther bit to warm the spirits of the spectators with some eye watering hits in defence. Ex-Salford man Jason Walton, Prop forward Sean Hesketh and Mark Barlow, who looks to have bulked up significantly during the close-season, lead by example and it was on the back of this energy that the Bulldogs took the lead. Having forced the error in Dewsbury's half, the ball was moved wide to the evergreen Danny Maun who strode through the Rams' right hand defence without a hand on him to put his side on level terms. Former Leeds Rhinos academy starlet Gareth Moore then showed what a useful acquisition he could turn out to be with an outstanding touchline conversion to give Batley the lead.

A missed home penalty attempt later and the visitors, who were enjoying the lion's share of territory due to Dewsbury's lax discipline and inability to retain posession, extended their lead. A repeat set on the Rams' try-line was repelled resolutely for five tackles and, with Chris Buttery well wrapped up on the last, the danger looked to have been neutralised. However, an outrageous, last second offload by the former Doncaster man gave winger Johnny Campbell the inches he needed to squeeze in just inside the corner flag. Moore was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt and, immediately following the restart, was taken out of the game with what can only be described as a cataclysmic hit delivered by the onrushing Andy Bostock.

The resultant handling error by the helpless Moore gave the Rams some much needed time on the ball in Bulldogs' half. It was an opportunity they made the most of when Dominic Brambani, who grew in confidence as the game progressed, found his former Sheffield team-mate Adam Hayes on the right flank. He was able to find Alex Bretherton who crashed over for the simplest of touchdowns. Walker failed with the boot for the third time meaning that, despite Bretherton's brace, the visitors held a deserved 8-10 lead going into the interval.

The second half began much brighter for Warren Jowitt's men and their enthusiasm and endeavour was rewarded with an opportunistic try to the ever dangerous Bryn Powell. A beautifully weighted Brambani chip turned Bulldogs winger Campbell around and, with Powell breathing down his neck, he failed to defuse the danger behind his own try line. The experienced former Welsh international was on hand to pounce on the loose ball and give his side the lead. Agonisingly though, Walker was again unsuccessful with his conversion attempt restricting the home advantage to just two points.

By now though the momentum was with the home side. Brambani was linking up well with his pack, sending James Lockwood, enjoying his first full season with the club, through the cutest of gaps in the defensive line and a further Rams score looked certain when Andy Bostock ploughed through midfield on the hour mar. But, much to their frustraton, the Rams were unable to convert their chances in to points. The vistors kept themselves in the game with some exceptional goal line defence which is testament to the spirit Karl Harrison has instilled at the club since his arrival mid-way through last season. A further barnstorming run by agile prop Lockwood was brought to an abrupt halt with a questionable challenge by full-back Ian Preece. No penalty was given however and this proved to be the last time the Rams would threaten to extend their lead.

For the Bulldogs, Ash Lindsay was his tenacious self, fending off would-be tacklers every time he got his hands on the ball. Props Byron Smith and Dave Toothill were also making the home defenders work hard with some determined charges. It was on the back of ths renewed belief that the Bulldogs would claw their way back in to the game with the try of the match. Intense pressure on the Rams try line following a penalty for offside resulted in ex-Dewsbury man Ian Preece springing out of nowhere on to an inch perfect Paul Handforth grubber to give his side the lead and send the visiting supporters into jubilation. Handforth, who continued from where he left off last season with a commanding performance, slotted over the extras before Cunningham's late score made it 12-20 and ensured, for the final time this decade, that the Roy Powell trophy and local bragging rights would be going home with Batley.

Dewsbury will rue the 8 points missed by the boot of Patch Walker and coach Jowitt will be keen to tighten up his side's discipline in defence, a lack of which cost them countless metres and swung momentum in Batley's favour on more than once occasion. For Karl Harrison, the positive news regarding Gareth Moore is that, despite being carried from the field of play on a stretcher, the injuries suffered are not as bad as first feared and he should be back in time for the Bulldogs' next pre-season appointment at home to Huddersfield Giants. The two coaches will take positives from a game played in far from ideal conditions and a bumper festive crowd of over 2,400 will give both clubs a much needed financial boost heading in to the new year.