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[Ossy]

BATLEY BULLDOGS 30 - DEWSBURY RAMS 6.

A week late maybe, but at least the season is now under way, though the result certainly wasn’t what I’d been hoping for... me and the rest of the Red, Amber and Black support I suspect. Let’s be honest though, we got exactly what we deserved, a good thumping.

On the whole the first half wasn’t too bad; well most of it anyway. Both defences were solid, though the Dogs probably had the best of it territory wise, taking the lead around the 25 minute mark when full back Ian Preece was first to a kick through that bounced off the post to plunge over for the first try, Gareth Moore adding the conversion. Two minutes later though the Rams were level again, Austin Buchanan crossing for a try wide on the left and Pat Walker adding a touchline conversion.

If things had stayed that way until half time we might have seen a different game, but the Dogs were having none of it and were soon back on the offensive. In the last moments of the half some slack play from the Rams allowed Moore to cut through for the second try and also added the conversion. A couple of mistakes from the Rams resulted in a penalty chance which Moore slotted over and when half time came the Dogs were 8 points to the good.

Half time:- Bulldogs 14 Rams 6.

This wasn’t ever a great game; it wasn't even a good one; there were simply too many factors conspiring against that. The number of new recruits at both clubs, the recent adverse weather and the resulting disruption in training schedules amongst them. That’s not meant as an excuse by the way, both squads will have suffered in equal measure, and there wasn’t that much wrong with either defence; particularly that of the Dogs in the second half.

To be honest the Rams never looked like adding to their score in the second half and it wasn‘t a great surprise when Toohey went over on the right after 10 minutes, Moore tagging on the conversion. Fifteen minutes later a run from Lindsay set up the position from which centre Williams touched down Moore’s chip to score another try, again goaled by Moore, and with five minutes left on the clock Preece ended the scoring with his second try of the game.

Full time:- Bulldogs 30 Rams 6

It was a convincing enough victory on the day, but the fans of both clubs should be careful not to read too much into it. There’s still a long way to go before the league season itself kicks off, and a lot of hard work remains to be done before then.

The sympathies and best wishes of both sets of supporters go to Adam Robinson whose early injury, only minutes into the new season, saw him hobble off on his way to hospital.

Referee :- Craig Halloran

Attendance :- 2,027