At first sight this, the last of this year's pre-season ‘friendlies’, would appear to have been a huge disappointment for the Rams, though in fact nothing could be further from the truth. It was only when Warren Jowett introduced the support players early in the second half that the Super League side found the freedom to cut loose with some impressive, free flowing football.
In that opening fifty minutes the Rams defence had often been tested but apart from Matt Diskin’s try in the 17th minute it had held firm. Even then Patrick Ah Van’s conversion merely served to level the scores, Anthony England having been first to Johnny Horton’s grubber kick, touching down under the posts and giving Patch Walker a comfortable conversion to open the scores some 7 minutes earlier.
Both sides had their chances in the rest of the half. Rams full back James Craven made several telling breaks, while the forwards also held their own against their Super League opponents. On the whole play was fast yet tight, and all in all it was proving to be a useful exercise for both sides.
Half time :- RAMS 6 BULLS 6.
Not only had they held their opponents to 6 points apiece in the first half, but it was the Rams who took the lead early in the second session with a superb try from Craven also goaled by Walker. A couple of minutes later they were almost over again with a similar move, but then the game began to change.
As good as his word, Warren Jowitt then changed much of his side, giving a run to other members of the Rams squad, and it was in the depths of the relative squads that we began to see the gulf that exists between Super League and National League.
From then on it was the Bulls who dominated the game running in tries from Ah Van, Mackay, Finigan (2); Reed, Crossley and Platt, all but one of which were converted by Ah Van.
Final score :- RAMS 12 BULLS 46.
Attendance :- 1500
Referee :- Mr. T. Roby.
So now we move on to the new season, though I won't be making the trip to Toulouse for the first game. Hopefully we'll be making that journey in August. As for our final League position I'm going to break with my self imposed tradition, forecast a top six finish and hope I'm being my usual, (ultra conservative) self. And no, that has NOTHING to do with politics !!!
Oz.
Edited by Ossy, 24 January 2011 - 06:24 PM.
