GOOLE VIKINGS 28 DEWSBURY RAMS 24
JOHN COLLINS, Victoria Pleasure Grounds, Saturday

JACK COVENTRY marked his long-awaited return with his first try in more than five years – a dramatic late winner as injury-hit Goole edged Dewsbury in a pulsating contest.

With the sides separated by just two points in their previous meeting earlier this season, another tight encounter was widely expected, and this one more than lived up to the billing.

With Dewsbury two points ahead, Coventry – making his first appearance since February due to an arm injury that was initially feared could be season-ending – crashed onto a Jack Miller pass in the 77th minute to be the hero.

The Rams had turned the game around after Goole made a blistering start, surging into a 12-0 lead inside the opening quarter.

Jeylan Hodgson opened the scoring from close range before turning provider moments later, sending man of the match Liam Watts crashing over beside the posts.

The Vikings looked full of confidence early on, but Dewsbury gradually found their rhythm in difficult blustery conditions, with both teams struggling to deal with the high ball.

The contest also took a physical toll. Mackenzie Harman, impressive in an unfamiliar fullback role, limped off with a knee injury, while Watts also required treatment after collecting a loose ball.

Miller, who converted the first two tries, extended Goole’s advantage with a penalty-goal before the Rams struck just before the break when Tom Delaney squeezed over in the corner and Jacob Hookem converted to reduce the deficit to 14-6 at half-time.

Dewsbury emerged with renewed purpose after the restart and laid siege to the Goole line. The hosts produced a series of determined defensive stands before Jacob Bateman eventually forced his way over, although Hookem’s missed conversion kept the Vikings four points ahead.

Goole responded immediately. Miller spotted space on the short side and turned inside to send stand-in fullback Josh Guzdek charging through a gap to restore breathing space, before adding another penalty to make it 22-10 just before the hour.

But the Rams were not done and the game turned dramatically in a blistering ten-minute spell.

A handling error from the restart gifted Dewsbury field position, and Liam Copland finished in the corner to ignite the comeback.

Returning hooker Oliver Morgan, making his first appearance after five months out injured, injected fresh energy for the Vikings, but it did little to stem the tide.

Bateman intercepted a poor last-tackle kick and released Copland to race the length of the field, before Dan Coates capitalised on another untidy Goole attacking set, sprinting 40 metres to score.

Veteran Paul Sykes, on for the injured Hookem, converted to put the visitors 24-22 ahead with less than ten minutes remaining.

But with the clock winding down, the Vikings had the final say.

Miller attacked the line from 15 metres out, fixed the defence and slipped a pass into the onrushing Coventry, who burst onto the ball to crash over for the decisive score, sparking wild celebrations with his teammates.

Miller maintained his flawless afternoon with the boot to seal a memorable victory, with goalkicking ultimately the difference after Dewsbury outscored their opponents by five tries to four.

It extends Goole’s impressive home form to three wins from their last four matches at their redeveloped stadium.rugby-l

For Dewsbury, it was a fifth successive defeat – but it could have easily gone the other way.

GAMESTAR: Veteran forward Liam Watts led the charge for the Vikings with one of his best performances in the Championship.

GAMEBREAKER: Dewsbury’s missed conversions aside, Jack Miller’s late run to the line to set up Jack Coventry was the stand-out moment.

MATCHFACTS

VIKINGS
6 Mackenzie Harman
27 Leroy Ncube
1 Josh Guzdek
4 Keenen Tomlinson
5 Callum Shaw
50 Lennie Ellis
7 Jack Miller
30 Liam Watts
9 Jeylan Hodgson
49 Owen Haldenby
3 Cooper Howlett
12 Nick Staveley
13 Harry Aldous
Subs (all used)
14 Oliver Morgan
17 Jack Coventry
22 Callum Rutland
40 Tyler Walton

Tries: Hodgson (11), Watts (13), Guzdek (50), Coventry (77)
Goals: Miller 6/6

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

Tries: Delaney (38), Bateman (47), Copland (60, 67), Coates (70)
Goals: Hookem 1/2, Sykes 1/3

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 14-0, 14-6; 14-10, 20-10, 22-10, 22-14, 22-18, 22-24, 28-24

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Vikings: Liam Watts; Rams: Liam Copland

Half-time: 14-6
Referee: Denton Arnold