Dewsbury 11 Featherstone 10: Featherstone stunned by Thackeray’s winner

DEWSBURY RAMS needed a late drop-goal to secure a dramatic win over Featherstone Rovers in their opening game of the 2014 Championship season.

In a backs-to-the-walls performance, the Rams produced a stunning second-half turnaround which culminated in Anthony Thackeray scraping over a one-pointer for an 11-10 victory.

In a one-sided first half Featherstone dominated possession and pinned the hosts in their own territory for long periods.

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The home side could have gone in at the break with a narrow lead, but Tom Hemmingway’s penalty attempt drifted wide and the first half ended 0-0.

However, the visitors eventually made their pressure tell when they posted early in the second half, a clever flick pass from Jack Bussey allowing James Mendeika to scramble over on 50 minutes for an unconverted try.

The try seemed to bring the hosts to life and they were soon back in the game when Wayne Godwin snuck over from dummy half.

Keiran Hyde added the extras from wide for a 6-4 lead.

The game remained a stalemate until Featherstone loose forward Matt James broke the Dewsbury line and found the supporting Bussey, who raced in between the posts.

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Moore converted from straight in front, for a 71st-minute 10-6 lead.

However, the Rams once again bounced back and were soon level when Thackeray darted over from close range on 74 minutes.

In a dramatic twist Hyde missed the conversion and left the sides level at 10-10.

The hosts looked determined to win the match and after a break was halted short with Dewsbury in good field position, Thackeray slotted over a drop-goal to give the Rams an 11-10 victory.

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Dewsbury: Sheriff, Morton, Pryce, Grady, Scott, Hemingway, Thackeray, Nash, Godwin, Hepworth, Spicer, Hale, Brown. Substitutes: Hyde, Haggerty, Aizue, Gallagher.

Featherstone: Mendeika, Sharp, Hellewell, Worthington, Saxton, Bussey, Moore, Crossley, Ellis, Hirst, Lockwood, Spears, James. Substitutes: Flanagan, Dale, Bostock, Cording.

Referee: C Leatherbarrow (RFL).