Battling Rams secure crucial point at Halifax

Dewsbury Rams ended their nine-match losing run in the Betfred Championship with a hard-fought 22-22 draw away to Halifax last Sunday.
Halifax winger Conor McGrath challenges for the ball with Dewsburys Rob Worrincy during Sundays Championship clash at The Shay. Pictures: Bruce FitzgeraldHalifax winger Conor McGrath challenges for the ball with Dewsburys Rob Worrincy during Sundays Championship clash at The Shay. Pictures: Bruce Fitzgerald
Halifax winger Conor McGrath challenges for the ball with Dewsburys Rob Worrincy during Sundays Championship clash at The Shay. Pictures: Bruce Fitzgerald

Fax had cantered to a 46-18 win at Dewsbury last month but found the Rams a different proposition and they could easily have returned with a victory.

Dewsbury had signed Italian international prop Shannon Wakeman on a one month loan from Huddersfield Giants and he made his Rams debut, while there was a return to the club for Daniel Igbinedion.

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Dewsbury produced an excellent first half display to build a 14-0 lead at the interval.

Dewsbury made a bright start and Robbie Ward broke through and looked to have given his side a fifth minute lead but had a try chalked off for a knock on.

The Rams led after nine minutes when full-back Josh Guzdek produced a neat short pass to send Jordan Crowther crashing over to the right of the posts from close range and Paul Sykes tagged on the first of his five goals.

Sykes added a penalty goal soon after and Dewsbury continued to dominate and grabbed a second try after 26 minutes when a neat move was ended with Michael Knowles crossing in the left corner and Sykes added a terrific goal from wide out.

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Both sides were reduced to 12 men just before half-time as Halifax’s Ben Johnston and Dewsbury’s Toby Everett were sin-binned following a scuffle.

Halifax reduced the arrears seven minutes into the second half when Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e broke through and rounded two defenders to cross between the posts on his home debut and Steve Tyrer converted.

Just four minutes later, Halifax attacked down the left and Tyrer produced an excellent finish wide out but the centre pulled his conversion attempt wide.

Halifax grabbed a third try in the space of 11 minutes when Scott Murrell kicked wide and Tyrer leapt above Rob Worrinccy to gather the ball and score.

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Tyrer landed the touchline conversion and Rams fans must have been fearing the worst as Halifax edged ahead.

Halifax were looking to mount another attack but Worrincy intercepted Ben Johnston’s pass and raced away from halfway to score, with Sykes converting.

The game swung back into Halifax’s favour seven minutes from full-time as Ben Kaye produced a neat grubber kick close to the line and Ed Barber touched down, with Tyrer’s conversion edging the home side 22-20 ahead.

WIth just two minutes remaining Dewsbury were awarded a penalty and Sykes’s kick scraped over the crossbar to level matters.

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Halifax mounted a final attack but the Rams defence remained solid to keep them at bay and ensure the losing run came to an end.

The draw leaves Dewsbury ninth in the Championship table, three points above second-bottom Rochdale.