Gritty Dewsbury Rams snatch vital bonus point against Sheffield Eagles

dewsbury rams v sheffield dewsburys karl price

Despite slipping to a 30-18 defeat to league leaders Sheffield Eagles, the point Dewsbury earned lifted them to seventh place in the Kingstone Press Championship going into last night’s final home league game against Doncaster.

It was the least an injury ravaged Rams side deserved having had Sheffield on the back foot for long periods as late tries from Gregg Scott and Karl Pryce maintained Dewsbury’s hopes of a top-eight finish.

Menzie Yere’s 39th try of the season gave Sheffield a third minute lead, which former Ram Dominic Brambani converted.

However, Dewsbury responded with a decent spell of pressure.

Tommy Gallagher was held up over the line from the Rams best chance and Sheffield broke swiftly downfield and Joe Hirst rounded off a move, gathering James Davey’s pass to score. Brambani converted.

James Craven made a terrific 70 metre break on the left but the move broke down.

Makili Aizue powered towards the line before substitute Tom Lillycrop looked to have reduced the arrears but his effort was ruled out for obstruction.

Cruelly,Sheffield extended their lead when Peter Green gathered Brambani’s kick to cross. Brambani converted.

Kieran Hyde landed a penalty on the stroke of half-time as the Rams trailed 18-2.

Dewsbury came out for the second half in determined mood. Matthew Tebb was spun onto his back over the line, Hyde went close to intercepting a long pass and Craven was judged to have stepped in touch before grounding the ball in the corner.

Sheffield broke and former Ram loanee Vinny Finnigan scored, with Brambani converting.

Craven crossed for a deserved try for the Rams but Cory Aston added a fifth Sheffield try, which Brambani goaled to extend the lead to 30-6.

Dewsbury battled to the end and were rewarded when Gregg Scott was on the end of a fine passing move to race behind the posts. Hyde converted.

In the final minute, Pryce gathered Craven’s kick through to touch down and Hyde landed the goal from wide out to snatch a deserved bonus point.