Poor second half sees Rams crash

DEWSBURY Rams turned in a disappointing second half display as they slipped to a fifth defeat last Sunday in the Co-operative Championship.

Things appeared to be going well as the Rams built up an early 12-0 lead and they held an 18-12 advantage at half-time.

Even when York hit back to level early in the second half, Dewsbury then regained the lead, only for the Knights to turn the game on its head with two tries in as many minutes as the home side were well led by new half-back signing Anthony Thackeray.

In a dramatic finale, Dominic Brambani and Luke Blake were held on their backs over the line before Ayden Faal breached the defence to make it 28-26. Brambani’s conversion attempt, which would have levelled matters, drifted agonisingly wide.

York breathed a sigh of relief and having driven the ball upfield, Lee Waterman kicked a late penalty to ensure the Knights picked up a first home win of the campaign.

Dewsbury looked in command early on with Brambani and young half-back Tom Wandless bringing props Keegan Hirst and Luke Menzies into the game and they drove the Rams forward.

Menzies broke the deadlock after seven minutes when he barged over and Brambani landed the conversion before Faal released Austin Buchanan, who raced 35 yards to score at the left corner and Brambani landed a fine touchline goal.

York hit back after 30 minutes when Chris Thorman danced through a flat defence to score at the side of the posts and Waterman converted before huge prop Brett Waller barged over and Waterman’s goal levelled matters at 12-12.

Michael Wainwright knocked on close to the try line after a good move involving Brambani and Scott Turner but on the stroke of half-time, Wainwright made no mistake in scoring and Brambani’s goal saw the Rams 18-12 ahead.

Matt Garside’s try, converted by Waterman, brought York back level but Rob Spicer latched onto a Brambani pass to score and regain Dewsbury’s lead.

Thackeray sent Rhys Clarke over for a well-worked try and Waterman’s goal edged York in front before York came again on their next attack.

Chris Thorman kicked ahead on the last tackle and the ball rebounded off a Rams player, into the arms of Waterman, who sent Ryan Esders crashing over for the try, which extended the home side’s lead to six points.

After Brambani and Blake were thwarted, Faal crossed for a 72nd minute try but Brambani’s conversion attempt drifted wide.

York kept possession and with Waterman landing a late penalty, the Rams were left with just a bonus point to show for their efforts.

York City Knights: Bush; Sutton, Ford, Esders, Waterman; Thackeray, Presley; Freer, Lee, Benson, Straugheir, Clarke, Thorman. Subs: Barlow, Waller, Garside, Lewis.

Dewsbury Rams: Turner; Wainwright, Cosgrove, Faal, Buchanan; Wandless, Buchanan; Hirst, Blake, Menzies, Spicer, Lockwood, P Walker. Subs: Emblem, England, Bibb, Tonks.

Referee: George Stokes.

Attendance:1,098.

n Dewsbury Rams lost 32-20 at home to York City Knights last Thursday in the Reserves Under-23s Championship. The Rams, who trailed 18-10 at the break had tries from Andy Smith (two), Matthew Tebb and Danny Annakin. Ryan Glynn added two goals.