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[Ossy]

DEWSBURY RAMS 14 – KEIGHLEY COUGARS 0.

It’s still a little early in the season to be jumping to any conclusions, especially in the kind of conditions we saw at Rams Stadium today. From the start it was clear that this was a game neither side wanted to lose, and no quarter was asked or given.

The first couple of penalties both went the Rams way, and it was from the second of these that Dom Brambani opened the scoring for the Rams after only 3 minutes. These early stages were end to end, but after some twelve minutes James Craven was almost over on the right. Switching the ball back across field loose forward Josh Tonks touched down a kick through to the left of the posts, Brambani adding the conversion to extend the Rams lead to 8 – 0.

And as far as the scorers were concerned that was it for the best part of an hour. It wasn’t what you’d call a classic game, but given the conditions that was hardly a surprise. Both sides made mistakes, too many of them for the satisfaction of either coach, but there was certainly no lack of effort out on the pitch.

James Walker came on for The Rams and wasted no time making his presence felt, but it was Cougars stand off Paul Drake who found himself spending ten minutes in the bin either side of half time.

Half time :- Dewsbury Rams 8 – Keighley Cougars 0.

The big danger for both sides was that this game could be decided by a mistake rather than a moment of genius. Thankfully it wasn’t, but for much of this second session it was the Cougars who looked the more threatening, and only a superb tackle from Craven halted Ryan Smith’s run when it seemed he must score.

Slowly though the Rams worked their way back into the game, and it was Keegan Hirst who settled matters driving over by the posts with ten minutes left, Brambani’s conversion stretching their lead to 14 – 0. The Cougars hadn’t read the script though, and in the final seconds it seemed they’d scored in the corner on the South Stand side, only for referee Merrick to rule out the score.

Man of the match deservedly went to James Craven for a near faultless display in both attack and defence. Dom Brambani also had an outstanding game, driving the Cougars back with his kicking game. After shipping 40 points at Toulouse last week it was no mean feat to nil the Cougars, but both sides will know that there’s still a lot of work to be done before this season really gets under way.

Final score :- Dewsbury Rams 14 Keighley Cougars 0.

Dewsbury Rams :- 1. James Craven; 5. Austin Buchanan; 13. Ayden Faal; 17. Ryan Glynn; 2. Michael Wainwright; 7. Dominic Brambani; 25. Tom Wandless; 8. Anthony England; 9. Luke Blake; 10. Keegan Hirst; 11. Rob Spicer; 12. James Lockwood; 15. Josh Tonks.

Subs:- 23. Luke Menzies; 19. James Walker; 32. Elliot Cosgrove; 29. Matty Brooks.

Keighley Cougars:- 2. Craig Moss; 5. Gavin Duffy; 3. Tom Burton; 4. Danny Lawton; 26. James Hutchinson; 24. Paul Drake; 7. Ryan Smith; 8. Andy Shickell; 9. James Feather; 10. Scott Law; 11. Will Cartledge; 12. Oliver Pursglove; 29. Jason Demetriou.

Subs:- 14. Jermaine Wray; 16. Brendan Rawling; 23. Chris Baines; 13. Greg Nicholson.

Referee:- D. Merrick.

Attendance:- 758.