HUNSLET 12 DEWSBURY RAMS 20
ALFIE INGRAM, South Leeds Stadium, Sunday

DEWSBURY came from behind to open their 2026 campaign with a hard-fought win in a West Yorkshire derby.

Hunslet started the stronger of the two sides, scoring twice through Mo Agoro, but tries from Bailey O’Connor and Jack McShane, alongside five converted goals from Jacob Hookem and one from O’Connor, were enough to give the Rams a first-round Championship win.

It was Hunslet who struck first after just a minute, with Agoro catching a chipped kick to score in the right corner, getting his second spell with the Parksiders off to a good start.

The Rams soon began returning the pressure, and O’Connor got one back, as he took advantage of a spilt Hunslet ball to chase his own kick and touch down for the try. 

Minutes later, Hunslet were back on the front foot, making solid metres downfield to get them within 20 metres of the Rams’ line. They shipped the ball out wide and found Agoro in open space on the right edge and he slid over for his second try of the game.

Dewsbury came close to a reply 18 minutes in as they threaded some quick passes down the left. But the Hunslet defence kept its resolve and Liam Copland was held short of the line.

A late tackle on the half-hour mark gave Hunslet another penalty 25 metres out, as Graham was sent to the sin-bin. Jowitt looked for a way in at the left corner, but was held up.

The Rams started to put on the pressure just before half-time, and nearly went over in the left corner but a superb Agoro tackle prevented the dam bursting.

But just on half-time Jack McShane opened a gap in the defence with a clever dummy to force his way over the line from close range. Hookem added his second goal to leave the scores tied at the break.

Dewsbury wasted no time getting going in the second half, as Hookem converted a penalty in front of the sticks to give the Rams a lead they would never lose.

They earned another penalty shortly afterwards and Hookem once again converted from a similar position to extend their lead.

And when another penalty came their way on 54 minutes Hookem, yet to miss, converted again to put them six points ahead.

Hunslet secured a penalty as the clock hit the hour mark following a head high tackle, but they failed to capitalise on this opportunity from 30 metres out and soon lost possession.

The Parksiders continued pushing for a try, but couldn’t get over the line. They weren’t short of penalties, but they were their own worst enemies at times, continuing to opt not to go for two points. The Rams were the opposite, and went for goal every time they were within scoring distance.

After the Rams won another penalty 71 minutes in, it was O’Connor who was put on kicking duties this time, stepping up to score an impressive goal from around the 40-metre mark, allowing the Rams to hold on and secure a hugely welcome win on their Championship return.

GAMESTAR: After converting every goal he attempted in a scrappy game, it would be difficult to say anyone other than Jacob Hookem.

GAMEBREAKER: Bailey O’Connor’s converted penalty from around 40m out was the moment that the game looked fully out of Hunslet’s reach.

MATCHFACTS

HUNSLET
1 Billy Jowitt
5 Mo Agoro
4 Matty Dawson-Jones
3 Myles Harrop
2 Coby Nichol
6 Lee Gaskell
22 Jack Ward
8 Harvey Hallas
9 Bailey Aldridge
10 Keelan Foster
11 Harrison Gilmore
12 Darcy Simpson
13 Eddie Battye
Subs (all used)
15 Emmerson Whittel
17 Kevin Larroyer
24 Jimmy Morgan
26 Ethan O’Hanlon

Tries: Agoro (1, 11)
Goals: Jowitt 2/2

RAMS
1 Craig McShane
2 Tom Delaney
29 Bailey O’Connor
4 George Senior
5 Liam Copland
6 Dan Coates
7 Jacob Hookem
8 Luke Nelmes
9 Jack McShane
15 Jacob Bateman
11 Joe Summers
23 Brad Graham
16 Louis Collinson
Subs (all used)
14 Jacob Parkinson
20 Valu Tanē Bentley
18 Jack Briggs
13 Declan Tomlinson

Tries: O’Connor (8), J McShane (40)
Goals: Hookem 5/5, O’Connor 1/1
Sin bin: Graham (30) – late tackle

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-6, 12-6, 12-12; 12-14, 12-16, 12-18, 12-20

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Hunslet: Mo Agoro; Rams: Jacob Hookem

Penalty count: 11-9
Half-time: 12-12
Referee: Luke Bland
Attendance: 780