Wainwright hat-trick as Rams triumph

Toulouse Olympique 6

DEWSBURY Rams produced a superb second-half display to register their first win in the Co-operative Championship as they overcame Toulouse in some style at Tetley’s Stadium last Saturday.

Coach Warren Jowitt made two changes following the disappointing derby defeat at Batley the previous week as he left out full-back James Craven and prop Keegan Hirst, while youngster Tom Wandless returned to the line-up following Jordan Tansey’s departure to Super League side Crusaders.

Michael Wainwright led the way as he produced his best display since returning to the club in the close season and was rewarded with a second half hat-trick of tries.

Before kick-off Dominic Brambani collected his player of the round award, following his fine display in the Northern Rail Cup victory over Barrow, and he produced another excellent effort, forcing Toulouse onto the back foot with some fine kicks.

Brambani launched a huge up and under early on, which was fumbled by Toulouse debutant full-back Lillian Albert but the resulting Dewsbury attack came to nothing.

Kyle Bibb, who replaced Hirst at prop, drove Dewsbury forward and Brambani edged the Rams ahead with a penalty.

Brambani’s kicks forced the French visitors to drop out on three separate occasions, before the half-back sent over another towering crossfield kick, which winger Austin Buchanan gathered to score the first try out wide. Brambani was unable to add the difficult conversion.

Luke Blake got in on the act launching a 40-20 to put the Rams back on attack and loanee Ben Bolger gathered a Tom Wandless pass to crash over but he was judged to have knocked on in the act of scoring.

Brambani landed three further penalties late in the first half to stretch Dewsbury’s interval lead to 12-0 before the home side cut loose.

Four minutes into the second half, Bucnahan broke and linked with Bolger before Brambani produced a lovely reverse pass to send Wainwright storming over for his first try, which Brambani converted.

Bibb’s storming run and offload sent Wandless over for the third try and another Brambani conversion extended their lead to 24-0 and put the Rams well on course for an opening win.

Toulouse responded with a spell of pressure which resulted in stand-off Darren Nichols sidestepping full-back Ryan Glynn on his way to the line . He also added the conversion.

However, any hope of a French revival were blown away in a two-minute blast from Wainwright. The winger was on the end of a flowing move to cross for his second try after 72 minutes and Brambani’s seventh goal stretched the lead to 30-6.

Two minutes later, prop Anthony England made a fine break to open the defence and Wainwright was in support to take the pass and race over to complete his hat-trick.

Brambani was unable to land the conversion but he managed to cap another terrific performance by kicking a drop goal in the final minute to complete the scoring and ensure the Rams got their campaign up and running.

Dewsbury Rams: Glynn; Wainwright, Cosgrove, Turner, Buchanan; Brambani, Wandless; Lockwood, Blake, England, Spicer, Bibb, Tonks. Subs (all used): J Walker, Horton; Menzies, Bolger.

Toulouse: Albert; Payan, Planas, Villegas, Larroyer; Nicholls, Houles; Worth, Cook, Faure, Couturier, Olari, Anselme. Subs (all used): Corcoran, Tisseyre, Pelo, Faure.

Referee: Ronnie Laughton. Att: 928.