Drighlington 10

By Andrew Hunt

DEWSBURY Rams eased into the fourth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup, although plucky amateurs Drighlington deserve huge credit for playing their part in an entertaining game at Tetley’s Stadium.

Drighlington tackled their hearts out to repel many Dewsbury attacks, while they also showed glimpses of quality on attack and it was only in the latter stages of the game that the Rams pulled away.

Although Dewsbury never hit top gear, they had too much quality for the Pennine League Premier Division high fliers, led by a terrific display from loose forward Adam Hayes.

James Haynes produced some sparkling runs from full-back, while Pat Walker again shone at stand-off and he also landed conversions to all seven Dewsbury tries.

Lee Mulhern was the pick of Drighlington’s pack and signalled his intentions with a big tackle on Dewsbury prop Keegan Hirst.

Scrum-half Ryan Jackson was at the hub of Drighlington’s best moves, while hooker Sam Pickles was also lively at acting half-back.

Drighlington must have feared the worst when they conceded a try inside the first minute but they battled back bravely and only trailed 12-4 at half-time.

Drighlington knocked on from the kick-off and Dewsbury launched an attack. Hayes fed James Lockwood, who stormed over wide out with Walker adding the goal.

Haynes had a try disallowed, while Dominic Brambani passed the ball into touch when winger Bryn Powell had an open run to the line before the Rams added their second try when Haynes showed an excellent turn of pace to race through and had the strength to hold off Tom Moorby and touch down between the posts, with Walker converting.

Drighlington fought back well. Pickles was held up over the line, while Andrew Jarrett was stopped in front of the posts before Mulhern met the ball at pace to crash over for an unconverted try.

Drighlington had further chances when Jarrett lost the ball driving for the line before David Patterson intercepted a pass and raced away only to be caught on halfway.

Hayes saw a fierce drive for the line halted by a superb tackle from Kevin Doyle and when Dewsbury moved the ball out wide, Spurr had a try disallowed for a double movement.

Drighlington were very much in the game at half-time but Dewsbury eased their nerves with a third try just a minute after the break when Hayes produced a superb long pass to send Spurr through a gap for a try converted by Walker.

A lovely set-piece move saw Jackson and Pickles link to open the Rams defence and send Bedford racing for the try line only to be brought back for a forward pass.

Doyle was again on hand to haul Anthony England down short of the line but Dewsbury had the momentum and Walker sent Hayes through a gap to score. Walker converted and Dewsbury led 24-4.

Drighlington again hit back when Jackson attempted to pass the ball out wide but it was knocked down by a Rams defender and Jackson reacted first to pounce and score.