Rams grind out victory over Doncaster

Dewsbury Rams ground out a hard fought 14-6 victory over Doncaster to keep hold of fourth spot in the Kingstone Press Championship.

It was a below par performance from the Rams as Doncaster went close to picking up a first point of the season,

With Dewsbury leading 10-6 late in the game, Doncaster mounted an attack, which resulted in prop Matt Gaunt crashing over for what appeared to be a vital 76th minute try.

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As Doncaster players and supporters celebrated, the try was disallowed for a knock-on and the Rams breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Dewsbury moved swiftly to the other end of the field where they awarded a penalty and after Luke Adamson was held close to the posts, the Rams moved left and Rob Spicer sent Jason Crookes over for the match clinching try.

Doncaster showed real character and it took a fine defensive effort by the Rams to repel their best attacks.

Dewsbury knew victory would see them consolidate fourth spot in the table and they took an 18th minute lead.

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Doncaster were penalised and when Mike Emmett spoke out of turn play was marched 10 metres further downfield and the hooker was sin-binned.

Dewsbury created space and Scott Hale was sent through a gap for the opening try, which Brett Seymnour converted.

Doncaster replied and Pasqualle Dunn looked to have sent James Cunningham over for a try but play was brought back for a forward pass.

The Dons did draw level with a superb counter attacking try as full-back Dave Scott broke through and sent Jansin Turgut charging to the line. Scott’s conversion levelled matters and it remained 6-6 at half-time. and

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Both sides had chances in the second half but the stalemate remained until the 63rd minute, until a superb individual try from Dale Morton.

The winger received a pass wide on the right, side stepped a defender beat two more before in diving in at the corner. Seymour scuffed his conversion wide but the Rams held a slender lead.

Doncaster responded well and thought they had snatched a chance to seal a first win but Groat’s try was controversially disallowed.

Tempers threatened to boil over late on before Crookes sealed victory with a try two minutes from time as the Rams claimed two crucial points in their quest to finish fourth.

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Dewsbury Rams: Fieldhouse; Morton, Crookes, Pryce, Grant; Seymour, Thackeray; Haggarty, Wildie, Hepworth, Spicer, Hale, L Adamson. Subs: Conroy, Farrell, Smith, Aizue.

Doncaster: Scott; Doherty, Welham, Gildey, Fox; Kesik, Cunningham; Groat, Emmett, Clark, Kelly, Turgut, Dunn. Subs: Spiers, Carbutt, Foster, Sanderson.

Referee: Chris Leatherbarrow.

Attendance: 763.

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