Dewsbury slip to disappointing defeat at hands of Halifax

Dewsbury Rams slipped to a disappointing 46-16 defeat at the hands of Halifax, who moved into fourth place in the Kingstone Press Championship.

Halifax ran in eight tries as half-back Scott Murrell had a superb game, pulling the strings for the visitors.

Murrell capped an excellent display by scoring two tries, while there was also a brace apiece for Dewsbury lad Dane Manning and prop Mitch Cahalane.

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Fax raced into an 18-0 lead in the opening 23 minutes, which set the tone for the game.

Cahalane crashed over for the opening try after 10 minutes, following a penalty which had taken the visitors close to the line and Steve Tyrer landed the first of seven conversions.

Murrell’s superb kick left was palmed back by Tyrer for Manning to gather and cross for a well-worked try which Tyrer improved.

A lovely Halifax passing move ended with winger Gareth Potts racing down the right wing and passing inside to send Murrell racing behind the posts, with Tyrer again converting.

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Dewsbury battled back as Toby Adamson drove his way to the line and soon after Nathan Conroy broke through the defence and sent Anthony Thackeray over at the side of the posts.

Kieron Hyde landed both conversions and the Rams were back in the game at 18-12.

A Dewsbury attack broke down and Halifax produced a swift counter, with Potts racing down the wing, shrugging off a defender and sending Manning over for his second try wide out. Tyrer converted and the visitors led 24-12 at half-time.

Dewsbury were almost given the perfect start to the second half when young half-back James Glover broke through and slipped a pass to Toby Adamson but he was unable to cling onto the ball and the chance went begging.

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Halifax struck with a decisive 53rd minute try as Ben Johnston intercepted a pass and charged to the line for an unconverted try.

Murrell’s kick left was not dealt with by the defence and Ross Divorty pounced to score, with Tyrer tagging on the goal.

Thackeray sent Jason Crookes over for an unconverted try on his 100th career appearance as Dewsbury threatened a comeback.

Aaron Brown launched an unbelievable drop out the full length of the field, which went dead at the other end, forcing Halifax to drop out but Dewsbury were unable to capitalise.

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Murrell skipped through the defence and over for his second try before Cahalane crashed through eight minutes from time and two further Tyrer goals completed an important win for Halifax.

Dewsbury Rams: Hyde; Morton, Crookes, Walshaw, Grant; Brown, Thackeray; Hepworth, Wildie, Jackson, Spicer, Hale, L Adamson. Subs: T Adamson, Conroy, Smith, Glover.

Halifax: Saltonstall; Potts, Heaton, Tyrer, Saxton; Murrell, Johnston; Tangata, Kaye, Cahalane, Divorty, Manning, Moore. Subs: Bracek, Dickinson, Robinson, Menzies.

Referee: Chris Kendall.

Attendance: 1,242.

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