London Skolars 4

By Andrew Hunt

DEWSBURY Rams began their Northern Rail Cup campaign with a comfortable victory at home to London Skolars last Sunday.

Although the Rams cruised to an expected win, the game was marred by an unsavoury incident a minute from full-time.

Rams prop Anthony England, who had a storming debut, drove the ball in and was tackled by Liam Prescott but as he attempted to get up and play the ball, the London hooker allegedly gouged at an eye.

A touch judge came on to the field but as play moved swiftly right, England retaliated by poleaxing Prescott, sparking a brawl involving players from both sides.

When order was restored, England was sent off, Prescott was shown a red card as he was stretchered from the field, while London second row Matt Carter was also dismissed for his part in the brawl.

It was a disappointing end to what was a regulation win against determined opponents.

England had forced London onto the back foot with some fierce drives while fellow prop Keegan Hirst also caused them problems with his driving runs, while substitute Adam Robinson capped an excellent display with a brilliant solo try.

Dewsbury took less than three minutes to score. England was held short but Dominic Brambani fed Rob Spicer, who charged between the posts. Pat Walker added the goal.

Walker was forced off with a dislocated finger and his replacement, Rob Lunt, scored just two minutes after coming on when he latched onto a Spicer pass to race behind the posts, leaving Brambani a simple conversion.

England was twice stopped short of the line but following his second drive, lively hooker Mike Emmett made a quick dart from acting half-back to stretch over the line. Brambani’s goal put the Rams 18-0 up after 20 minutes.

The Rams starved London of possession and the hosts added a fourth try when strong drives from Hirst and England again took Dewsbury close. Captain Adam Hayes then looped a lovely ball out for winger Bryn Powell to scorch in at the corner.

Soon after Hayes was again involved as he produced another fine pass to send Scott Turner in for a debut try.

Hayes looked to have set up a third try, when another a defence-splitting pass sent Scott Watson clear, but as he attempted to plant the ball over the line, he lost possession.

Watson made amends soon after as an identical move saw the ball moved quickly right and this time Watson made no mistake. Brambani was unable to add conversions to the three tries but at 30-0 the Rams were well in command.

The pick of Dewsbury’s 10 tries came on the stroke of half-time as Robinson produced a storming run to barge through the defence. He showed an excellent turn of pace for a big man to race 30 yards and score out wide.