Rams show positives but slip to fourth straight defeat against Broncos

Dewsbury Rams slipped to a fourth straight defeat in the Kingstone Press Championship, going down 20-6 to London Broncos at blustery Tetley's Stadium.
Hamish Barnes was the Rams try scorer.Hamish Barnes was the Rams try scorer.
Hamish Barnes was the Rams try scorer.

Dewsbury handed debuts to Chris Annakin, on dual registration from Wakefield, Daniel Igbinedon, on loan from Castleford, and young half-back Liam Coe, who signed in midweek and all three produced impressive displays.

However, Dewsbury’s growing injury crisis worsened when prop Toby Adamson dislocated an elbow midway through the second half and faces a spell on the sidelines.

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The difference between the sides was London stand-off Jarrod Sammut, who oozed in class to score a terrific try and set up a second Broncos score, while also landing four goals.

London took a seventh minute lead when a penalty saw them deep in Rams territory and Junior Roqica forced his way over the line with Sammut converting.

Dewsbury responded with a spell of pressure and having forced London to drop out, they were then awarded a penalty.

Andy Kain produced a lovely pass to open the Broncos defence and send Hamish Barnes storming to the line wide on the right.

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Paul Sykes needed Robbie Ward to hold the ball but landed a terrific touchline goal in the swirling wind to level matters.

Dewsbury had chance to take the lead but turned down a penalty shot at goal only to lose possession from the resulting attack.

Sammut showed his class three minutes from half-time when Sykes produced a crunching tackle on Adrian Purtell but with no full-back in place, the former Workington man chipped over the top, regathered and raced behind the posts for a terrific individual try, which he improved as the visitors led 12-6 at the break.

Dewsbury had plenty of possession in the second half but couldn’t unlock the London defence as mistakes and dropped ball proved costly.

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Sammut produced a lovely run to break the Rams defence before slipping a pass inside to send supporting full-back Alex Walker racing unopposed to score between the posts and Sammut again converted.

Sammut was also on target with a penalty soon after as the Broncos extended their lead to 20-6 with 25 minutes remaining.

The expected onslaught never materialised as Dewsbury’s defence forced Matt Garside onto his back over the line following a storming run.

Dewsbury’s best chance came when a long pass found winger Gareth Potts but the Broncos defence got across to force him into touch and it proved the last chance as the Rams suffered a fourth straight defeat.

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Dewsbury Rams: Sykes; Potts, Barnes, Crookes, Morton; Coe, Kain; Adamson, Ward, Sheriffe, Walshaw, Hale, Annakin. Subs: Glover, Spicer, Stringer, Igbinedon.

London Broncos: Walker; Williams, Hellewell, Purtell, Kear; Sammut, Barthau; Roqica, Ackers, Ione, Harrison, Garside, Evans. Subs: Pitts, Gee, Offerdahl, Bustin.

Referee: J Roberts.

Attendance: 678.