Dewsbury Rams v Hunslet RLFC Sunday 2nd August, KO: 15:00

[horbury ram]

Officials for Sunday

• Referee: L. Seal
• Reserve Referee: J. Egan
• Touch Judge 1: D. Frederick
• Touch Judge 2: G. Cox
• Time Keeper: M. Hebblethwaite

[Wakefield Ram]

Well we should have a decent chance of winning, but might still be tired from Wednesday. 

Who knows we might even put up a high kick near the line for Delaney to score....

 

[Blind side johnny]

Dewsbury 32 - 18 Hunslet

FTS: Graham, following a high kick.

MoM: Paul Sykes

[SUPERSTUD]

It is a fair point regarding high kicks. Last home game v Fax. Game had already gone by the way. On our left edge we had tall guys Graham, Senior and Delaney begging Sykes to put in the cross field kick. He opted for short arises Bateman, Carr and Copland instead. Talk about playing to your strengths .

[Crown Flatter]

This fixture could be a tough one; our third match in nine days might take its toll on some players, so careful substitutions will be the order of the day. I know we need to win, but so do Hunslet. However, let’s be positive:

Dewsbury 30-18 Hunslet 

FTS: Nelmes

MoM: Addy

Att: 612

 

[NickD]

Some optimistic scores on here.     In keeping with my recent posts and the fact we are at home I’ll go for a loss.   Probably with 4 minutes left on the clock. 

[Crown Flatter]

Even though I suggested a positive outcome, I wouldn’t be surprised if yours were the case.

[Crown Flatter]

For supporters unable to be at the match, BBC Radio Leeds is giving full match commentary online (even though they didn’t even mention our two previous results), as will, I guess, HWD Hospital Broadcasting.

[Wakefield Ram]

On 30/07/2026 at 22:40, Wakefield Ram said:

Well we should have a decent chance of winning, but might still be tired from Wednesday. 

Who knows we might even put up a high kick near the line for Delaney to score....

 

Well 40 minutes in and a try thanks to a Bateman kick through

Still not kicked for Delaney yet.....

[NickD]

My old mum used to say if you’ve nowt good to say then don’t say owt so I won’t.  

[Wakefield Ram]

There were two teams out there.

One was well-organised with a good kicking game, big strong pack and looked dangerous with the ball in hand. They also very effectively targeted our young, inexperienced half-back and scored a couple of tries through this channel.

The other team was Dewsbury who gave 100% until minute 80 - thought Luke Nelmes was outstanding today - but had a poor kicking game, didn't bother to put any kicks up near the line and looked disorganised on 6th tackle in the opposition 20. 

Once Danny Addy went off -hopefully not too badly injured - then any slim chance we had went with him.

The fact our first half try came from Bateman running into a dead end and then putting a hopeful kick through sums it up. We were still kicking for field position 22 points down with 15 minutes to go. And didn't try one short kick-off even when 22 points down. 

We were completely outplayed by a team that has won 5 games this season. To be fair to Hunslet, they played very well and am surprised they've only won 5 before today. 

No doubt PM will come out with "young side still learning"  "3 games in a week" or "the players didn't do what I told them" excuses. 

Massive effort, but lack of any tactics or attacking kicking game. 

It's groundhog day again. We need a new coach. 

Edited August 2 by Wakefield Ram

[Transpennine Ram]

I thought there were some decent individual performances today but we didn't click as a team. Nelmes obviously outstanding - I hope the poor lad has a quiet day at work tomorrow, whatever he does for a living. Absolutely ran himself into the ground.

Honorable mention for Copland who took on a load of brave carries but always seemed to be getting sent up cul de sacs.

I know it should not be an excuse but it is the Keighley ground staff who did us in there. Our pitch looked super by the way.

[Therein73]

On reflection, and none of this infers that Hunslet didn't fully deserve the win, we were up against it on a number of fronts today .... Third game in nine days, the loss of Addy after five minutes, inexperienced halves ( in terms of games together) and a Hunslet team who looked totally "up for it" .... That said, we worked hard but with little cohesion and even less spark to cause them problems.,.. I think the play-offs are now beyond us which would mean objective not achieved..... In other walks of life, that would probably mean change -- should that be playing personnel or management/ coaching??  I think our future course might well be much clearer after next Saturday.....    .... And hope the players going to Spain this week come back revitalised and raring to go for the last four games

[rpp]

I’ve got to say I’m fed up of watching us being beaten by teams with bigger forwards, more enthusiasm and a bit of nous. The scoreline was very flattering to us.

Speaking to a fellow supporter after the match, his first comment was “that was a hard watch” and it was. The number of us who are prepared to come to games out of loyalty or habit is obviously getting less and less. There was a lot of talk about the rumours surrounding Huddersfield coming to Flair Stadium. Some were for it happening and some against. I suppose we will just have to wait and see what is announced next week but surely something has to change because what I believe I’m watching at present is the slow death of the club I’ve supported for over 60 years.

[NickD]

22 minutes ago, rpp said:

I’ve got to say I’m fed up of watching us being beaten by teams with bigger forwards, more enthusiasm and a bit of nous. The scoreline was very flattering to us.

Speaking to a fellow supporter after the match, his first comment was “that was a hard watch” and it was. The number of us who are prepared to come to games out of loyalty or habit is obviously getting less and less. 

Agree.   The constant losing to teams we could and should beat at home is draining.    I think we speccies need a break as well as the players and I think that might be it for me until Newcastle.  I think I can stand losing to a team that should whip us.  BSJ once posted.   It’s the hope that kills you. Dead right. 

Edited August 2 by NickD

[rleaguer]

Went as a neutral today, and all assessments correct. Although you started well, your attack was blunt, and Hunslet looked more dangerous with the ball in hand. I'd say the three games in a week have caught up to you, and the longer the game went on, the more dominant Hunslet got.

[STEVE P]

For 70 minutes Dewsbury endeavoured, without much success to batter their way down the middle with one man rugby.

When the game was well and truly lost they opened up and scored 2 tries in the last 10 minutes and could have had another one if one more pass had been made.

A lesson to learn from that? Possibly. Will it be learnt? Probably not.

[Wakefield Ram]

15 minutes ago, STEVE P said:

For 70 minutes Dewsbury endeavoured, without much success to batter their way down the middle with one man rugby.

When the game was well and truly lost they opened up and scored 2 tries in the last 10 minutes and could have had another one if one more pass had been made.

A lesson to learn from that? Possibly. Will it be learnt? Probably not.

Definitely not. It's been the same for nearly 3 seasons. 

[SUPERSTUD]

Attended the game. This could be a long post. Firstly Hunslet were deserved winners on the day. Believe me I was as miffed as any Dewsbury supporter and for the first time ever I nearly walked out. However there is massive mitigation. Three games in a week is totally unacceptable for part time players let alone full time. The governing body the RFL purports to be massive advocates regarding player welfare and Dewsbury get handed this deal. Hunslet in comparison last played a week ago. Some of our players whom I could name have played the full 240 minutes in the same week. Madness. Some of our players were out on their feet very early doors. There is a case ongoing at the moment involving Widnes and the 1895 cup final. I personally stand in solidarity with Widnes regarding their genuine threat not to compete in the final. Again a decision made by the club to protect the welfare of their players. Commendable! So my major point is that I could quite easily rip in regarding that performance because it was absolute tosh. However this supporter understands the bigger overriding picture.

 

[STEVE P]

The three matches in eight days excuse doesn't really cut it.

If we were tired why try to make the game into a muscle contest. We have the smallest pack in the professional game, yet we continually revert to trying to win games down the middle. Our pack is too small, our half backs aren't particularly effective, but our three quarters are our most potent weapon. We are at our most effective as an attacking force when we move the ball about to bring the three quarters into play.

You can't blame the coach for not twigging this yet. This is only his third year in the job.

[Wakefield Ram]

32 minutes ago, SUPERSTUD said:

Attended the game. This could be a long post. Firstly Hunslet were deserved winners on the day. Believe me I was as miffed as any Dewsbury supporter and for the first time ever I nearly walked out. However there is massive mitigation. Three games in a week is totally unacceptable for part time players let alone full time. The governing body the RFL purports to be massive advocates regarding player welfare and Dewsbury get handed this deal. Hunslet in comparison last played a week ago. Some of our players whom I could name have played the full 240 minutes in the same week. Madness. Some of our players were out on their feet very early doors. There is a case ongoing at the moment involving Widnes and the 1895 cup final. I personally stand in solidarity with Widnes regarding their genuine threat not to compete in the final. Again a decision made by the club to protect the welfare of their players. Commendable! So my major point is that I could quite easily rip in regarding that performance because it was absolute tosh. However this supporter understands the bigger overriding picture.

 

And to play in the heat as well just makes it even harder still. 

But it doesn't excuse our very poor kicking game and the fact it was pretty much one man rugby for 70 minutes. The last 10 minutes when we scored twice and could easily had a 3rd showed what we could have done. And again we failed to put a kick in for Delaney or Graham. 

 

[STEVE P]

17 minutes ago, Wakefield Ram said:

And to play in the heat as well just makes it even harder still. 

But it doesn't excuse our very poor kicking game and the fact it was pretty much one man rugby for 70 minutes. The last 10 minutes when we scored twice and could easily had a 3rd showed what we could have done. And again we failed to put a kick in for Delaney or Graham. 

 

I just so hope for you that, before the end of the season, you see Delaney or Graham score from somebody's kick.

I feel that there is much that you will be able to forgive if and when that happens. 

[SUPERSTUD]

25 minutes ago, STEVE P said:

The three matches in eight days excuse doesn't really cut it.

If we were tired why try to make the game into a muscle contest. We have the smallest pack in the professional game, yet we continually revert to trying to win games down the middle. Our pack is too small, our half backs aren't particularly effective, but our three quarters are our most potent weapon. We are at our most effective as an attacking force when we move the ball about to bring the three quarters into play.

You can't blame the coach for not twigging this yet. This is only his third year in the job.

Ok I respect your point of view. Forgetting all the in play intricacies at this stage. Such as small pack, down the middle etc and purely focusing on your three matches in eight days doesn’t really cut it! Are you seriously saying that a team, any team is not at a disadvantage having played three games in a week compared to their opponents only having played one, which by the way did not involve any travel. Oh including a no fault of their own midweek trek to Keighley!

[SUPERSTUD]

33 minutes ago, Wakefield Ram said:

And to play in the heat as well just makes it even harder still. 

But it doesn't excuse our very poor kicking game and the fact it was pretty much one man rugby for 70 minutes. The last 10 minutes when we scored twice and could easily had a 3rd showed what we could have done. And again we failed to put a kick in for Delaney or Graham. 

 

Agree. Personally I have already described the performance as absolute tosh but with mitigation. Believe me I nearly walked out before the end for the first time ever. But I just and I mean just managed to see the bigger picture.

[SUPERSTUD]

Hookem’s headless chicken approach as daft as it may seem would have probably injected more energy into the performance today. Buzzing around like a bee in a bottle like Robbie Savage based his game on in football.