DEWSBURY RAMS 18 HALIFAX PANTHERS 36
ALEXANDER FYNN, FLAIR Stadium, Sunday

HALIFAX got back to winning ways after their defeat to Oldham, comfortably accounting for a dogged Dewsbury side with six tries, including try-doubles from Ben Tibbs and Ben Will, and a faultless afternoon with the boot by Darius Carter, who converted all six tries.

The Rams, who have been on a hiatus from the FLAIR Stadium since May, were anxious to record a victory on home turf.

They started brightly, taking only three minutes to open the scoring after a knock-on from Carter. From the scrum, Connor Carr fed Liam Copland who was able to dive into the corner. Hookem was unable to convert.

Carr doubled the Rams’ try advantage after repeated errors from the Panthers. This time Hookem kicked a neat grubber to send Carr through to score and Hookem kicked his only goal of the afternoon.

The Rams thought they had extended their lead even further after Dan Coates dotted down from a Luke Nelmes pass, but referee Tara Jones ruled it out for obstruction.

The Panthers then thought that they had got themselves back into the game after Jesse Soric placed an excellent bomb that was taken by Alfie Johnson, but Carr was able to force him into touch.

Halifax had sprung into life, however, and after Soric broke the defence, the next phase was played out to Ben Tibbs for a try in the corner, which Carter was able to convert from a difficult angle.

Just on the brink of half-time, former Panthers player Brad Graham added to the Rams’ lead after Danny Addy fed him through to score a simple try.

The second half began in the worst possible fashion for the Rams as Tibbs closed the gap to two after Tom Delaney knocked on and he was able to pounce on the error and dot down under the sticks.

Ben Will then put Halifax into the lead for the first time with a line break leading to a try under the sticks.

And things got worse for the Rams as Bailey O’Connor was sent off for showing dissent to the referee.

Three minutes later, Will scored his second try as he broke the defence once again and he was able to score beneath the uprights.

As has happened in recent weeks, Dewsbury’s capitulation continued as Connor Davies extended Halifax’s advantage to 16 points as he broke the defence to dive over for their fifth try.

Halifax completed their rout the second half with twelve minutes remaining after a smart passing movement put Johnson in at the corner.

But despite the Rams now being down and out of the game, George Senior did have the final say when Harvey Roberts broke the defence and gave a neat offload to him, although Paul Sykes on this occasion was unable to convert.

GAMESTAR: Ben Will’s brace from line breaks and his support from fullback was pivotal for the Panthers.

GAMEBREAKER: Three Halifax tries in ten minutes in the start of the second half killed the game for the Rams.

MATCHFACTS

RAMS
29 Bailey O’Connor
5 Liam Copland
27 Connor Carr
4 George Senior
2 Tom Delaney
6 Dan Coates
7 Jacob Hookem
8 Luke Nelmes
21 Monty Lumb
16 Louis Collinson
15 Jacob Bateman
23 Brad Graham
35 Danny Addy
Subs (all used)
17 Harvey Roberts
18 Jack Briggs
26 Paul Sykes
28 Jacob Algar

Tries: Copland (3), Carr (9), Graham (39), Senior (80)
Goals: Hookem 1/3, Sykes 0/1
Dismissal: O’Connor (50) – dissent

PANTHERS
3 Ben Will
2 Ben Tibbs
22 Darius Carter
12 Liam Sutcliffe
4 Alfie Johnson
5 Lloyd Roby
6 Jesse Soric
33 Delanie Gittens-Bedward
9 Adam O’Brien
24 Adam Tangata
15 Connor Davies
10 Lukas Mason
13 Jacob Fairbank
Subs (all used)
18 Will Calcott
19 Zack McComb
21 Ben Forster
– Riley Thompson

Tries: Tibbs (27, 42), Will (50, 53), Connor Davies (63), Johnson (68)
Goals: Carter 6/6

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 10-0, 10-6, 14-6; 14-12, 14-18, 14-24, 14-30, 14-36, 18-36

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Rams: Liam Copland; Panthers: Ben Will

Penalty count: 8-3
Half-time: 14-6
Referee: Tara Jones