Dewsbury 24 Keighley 12: Rams in play-offs as Cougars grab bonus

Dewsbury took the lead in the 8th minute. Ryan Hepworth, Kieran Hyde, Jobe Murphy and Rob Spicer were all involved as fast hands created the space out wide for Ben Hellewell to score in the corner. Tom Hemingway nailed the touchline conversion, before he extended Dewsbury’s lead to 8-0 when he kicked a 40-metre penalty.

Anthony Thackeray was the creator as the Rams increased their advantage, as he took the ball to the line and managed to get away an impossible offload to Ryan Hepworth who crashed over. Hyde converted.

Thackeray gave a lovely pass to Jason Muranka who broke the line and he gave a great offload to the supporting Hyde.

Keighley were much improved after the break and they got their reward in the 57th minute as Danny Jones threw a dummy before stepping through the defence to score a great solo try. He converted his own score to cut the deficit to 18-6.

Their hopes of a comeback were ended in the 71st minute as Dewsbury scored a long-range try to make sure of the victory. Once again it was Muranka who made the break and he produced an even better offload this time to allow Thackeray to score. Hemingway improved.

Keighley’s late pressure told as Paul Handforth forced his way over from acting half. Danny Jones kicked the conversion to make it 24-12 and seal an important bonus point.

Dewsbury Rams: Pryce, Morton, Hellewell, Grady, Wood, Hyde, Thackeray, Haggerty, Hemingway, Hepworth, Spicer, Hale, Murphy. Substitutes: Wright, Farrell, Muranka, Gallagher.

Keighley: Craven, Barnett, Lawton, Haley, White, Jones, Handforth, Shickell, Feather, Hesketh, Lynam, Cosgrove, Lindsay. Substitutes: March, Law, J. Sheriffe, Cherryholme.

Referee: M Thomason (RFL).