Dewsbury Rams tough it out to make a winning start to new season at Hunslet

Paul March’s men ground out their victory which came courtesy of eight unanswered points after the teams were locked together at 12-12 at the interval.

They also had to come from behind for the opening day success after the home team made the faster start at the South Leeds Stadium.

With nine new signings Hunslet were looking to make an impression and were ahead as early as the fourth minute when winger Mo Agoro collected former Super League star Lee Gaskell’s kick to the corner to go over for the opening try.

Billy Jowitt converted, but within four minutes the Rams posted their first points of the season as Bailey O’Connor marked his return to the club by racing over for a try that was improved by Jacob Hookem.

The early action continued with the hosts scoring their second try through Agoro again from a Gaskell pass and with Jowitt converting once more they led 12-6 after 11 minutes.

The game then settled down and there were no more points until just before the break when Dewsbury levelled it up with Jack McShane crossing and Hookem adding his second goal.

The visitors nudged ahead early in the second half as Hookem landed a penalty awarded for a high tackle and they were not to lose the advantage in a hard fought remainder.

With clear chances now at a premium the Rams took another penalty chance with Hookem kicking his fourth goal to make it 16-12 on 50 minutes.

The lead was stretched to six points by a further Hookem penalty and some outstanding goal-line defence protected the advantage.

Victory was sealed five minutes from time when O’Connor took over kicking duties with Hookem off for a head injury assessment and was successful with yet another penalty.

Hunslet had really been made to pay for their second half indiscipline as the penalty goals eventually proved the difference between the teams.

For Dewsbury it was an encouraging start, particularly with the way they defended and did not concede a single point after being caught a little cold in the first 11 minutes.

They will be aiming to take some big confidence from this display into their Betfred Challenge Cup second round tie at home to leading amateur club West Hull this Saturday at FLAIR Stadium.