Dewsbury Rams end campaign with defeat in final game for rugby league legend Sykes

Sadly, though, for the home side they were unable to send him off with a victory as Newcastle Thunder ran in 11 tries in a 56-6 victory to stay in the Championship top two, writes Alexander Fynn.

Bradley Ward was Newcastle’s star man running in five-tries as the Championship’s top try scorers of 2026 ran in a confident victory before they start the play-offs campaign in two weeks.

The opening stages saw the visitors with plenty of possession and they got their reward with only six minutes on the clock when Harvey Reynolds played a neat pass to Bradley Ward and he was able to dive over in the corner, Myles Harrison’s first attempt at goal was unsuccessful.

Newcastle continued to show plenty of threat with the ball and they got their second try when Will Roberts kicked a superb 40/20, the next phase was played from Jordan Lipp to feed Harvey Reynolds through to dive over, Harrison was successful on this occasion.

Thunder then added a third try moments later after a repeat set close to the line and some quick passing to feed George Birch through to dive over in the left corner, Harrison was unsuccessful from the tee.

Newcastle were in once again less than 10 minutes to go when Ward broke the defence, he made the pass to Reynolds, Lumb did manage to get him down, but he got back up before dotting down, Harrison converted.

With less than five minutes to the interval, Bailey O’Connor managed to close the gap when he fended off three Newcastle defenders before dotting down in the corner, Paul Sykes was able to convert from the corner.

The second half began with both sides having plenty of opportunities at the line, but it was the visitors who restored their 20-point advantage when Will Roberts made an overhead pass to Jude Ferreira and he was able to dive over in the corner.

Two minutes later things went from bad to worse for the Rams as Mitchell Clark powered over the line from close range, powering off three defenders before dotting down.

Newcastle added to their advantage when Lipp broke the defence, he made a neat pass to Ward and he was able to dot down in the corner.

Ward got his hat-trick 10 minutes later after some quick passing play as he was able to dive over in the corner.

Ward then earned his fourth try not long later after some quick passing play once again from the Thunder.

And he earned his five-fer after he broke the defence after combining with Lipp.

After missing his previous two attempts Harrison converted this time.

Just on the cusp of full-time, Harrison had the final say when he was able to charge over from close range. Prop Ukuma Taai was unable to convert in the final kick of the game.