Reverend Ram

At least Elsie’s immortal phraseology is captured forever on virtually every DVD or video of Dewsbury over the last 50 odd years where you can hear “C’m on Dews” whatever the score. God bless you Elsie.

Jekyll and Hyde again for me - if we played the first half like the second we may have edged it - ironically we played better with 12 men but our defence was found wanting at crucial moments. At least we scored the best try…..

So I slunk away from the Goole match thoroughly deflated and couldn’t find the will or energy to comment, with the comfort that I would be away for the ‘Haven game on holiday- lo and behold the Dr Jekyll side of the Rams are again extant- what happened today then? Not that I’m complaining…,

Get Hornets’s no.28 signed up - the big difference between the two sides- all about timing and awareness of space. A long way to go but we will still turn up and support of course.

Didn’t see that one coming but an excellent performance, committed and strong in defence (at one point holding out for 18 tackles) and Fergie had a stormer, setting up two tries from hard running. Discipline still needs attention and Swinton were a bit unlucky with their chip and chase tactic which could have yielded two more tries than the one they did score; but overall we were the better side and deserved to win. Referee Ms Jones also had a good game too. Not so sure about the chips though…

First league match of the season for me - thought we may have struggled given Goole’s team looks strong on paper but as an old lag on the terrace said, matches are not won on paper. We made heavy weather of it, seemed to have better discipline but still a tendency to relax too early and making it much tighter than it should have been - but definitely we were the better side overall. Interesting catering on offer at the ground , nice variety in comparison to the usual fare at Shaw Cross. Nice to come away back home with a win!

Thanks for these Coolie - I missed the Saints draw so have thoroughly enjoyed watching it, even down to the hilarious bias of the commentator.The more I think about it this must rank as one of our greatest performances- Dennis Trembath was outstanding and remember this was no shadow Saints side with Hunte, Golding, Mann, Griffiths, Haggerty et al - marvellous try from Nathan Graham in particular. Interesting to see the number of run-arounds by both sides too. Such memories!

Carlisle was mentioned earlier in the thread - don’t forget Gillford Park where they moved to in the late 80’s - remember a vintage moment watching Dewsbury win there but best move of the day was Carlisle captain Hugh Waddell making a beeline for the tea bar upon the final whistle, not even waiting to get a shower, but piling into a plate of chips with curry sauce. Happy days!

Reminiscences give us comfort after such a desperate season - cold comfort that my broken ankle has kept me away from watching the ailing team. But where do we start? I have a vague memory of us losing to Huddersfield at Crown Flatt in ‘69 but how many of us remember the Australians winning 17-3 at CF in 1973-4? The grand nine oil and (usually) Nigel Stephenson perfecting the ball roll back to the chagrin of many a full back; the 13-13 draw with Hull in our promotion season in 77-78, the 1-0 victory over York, Harry Beverley’s knees, Eddie Rombo and Dennis Bailey on the wings, the only barrel roof stand in RL (unless someone tells me differently!) I don’t think it was a dump really - it was home. It took a while to get to the new ground but we’re accumulating fresh memories too but for some reason they don’t seem to have the same lasting resonance. But for now I remember that cup tie v Widnes where we kicked no less than 7 40/20’s in a 27-26 win (I think - no doubt other old timers will put me right if not!). Best stop rambling now and simply re- live the memories and give thanks for the pleasure supporting my home team has given me for many years.

Indeed, as it applies to me as I am currently laid up with a broken ankle so have not been to a game for a while. Still miss it though even though it is a poor season all told - and you should always look in the bright side and a visit to Cornwall again won’t go amiss (not sure about Goole though, if it happens!)

The first Christians suffered for their faith; 2,000 years on we certainly are suffering too for our faith- but we all, if we consider ourselves true supporters, stick to the team whatever - admittedly the lean times outnumber the good, but it is only 24 years since we were the best team outside super league, (and 51 since we were champions, 80 years or so since we won the Cup and 95 since our Wembley appearance……) and I feel there will always be a core of local support whatever happens in the future- IMS will not last forever in my judgment- and DRLFC is important as possibly the only thing to give identity to our home town in the wider world.

I don’t normally ask for divine intervention so early in the season but I will be tomorrow

The Lord indeed works in mysterious ways - trams cancelled because of engineering works on Milnrow line so never got to the game and thus spared what sounds like an embarrassing second half. Anyone there dare express a view on what happened?

At least I will enjoy the tram ride

It’s all a matter of faith!