Doncaster 16 Dewsbury 22: Craven clinches Rams victory to leave Doncaster empty-handed

DONCASTER were given a harsh introduction to life in the Championship as visitors Dewsbury Rams ran out comfortable winners at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The Rams had the edge for the majority of the game while the Dons were left to rue failing to take their chances during a strong first-half spell.

Flat-footed defending at times cost the Dons dearly and ensured repeated attempts at a comeback were fruitless.

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Ryan Wright beat Lee Waterman to a high bomb and laid off to Aaron Brown who gave Dewsbury the lead on seven minutes.

Doncaster responded well and dominated possession and territory for the next 15 minutes.

But their only reward was a try from new skipper Kyle Kesik and Waterman’s conversion as stray passes proved costly.

The Rams quickly punished them with Adam O’Brien going over twice in quick succession and Scott Spaven converting both. Doncaster’s defending improved in the second half and they managed the next score, sparked from a fantastic Mike Kelly break from inside his own half and completed by Dennis Tuffour.

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But Dewsbury continued their onslaught and added another try 11 minutes from time with Brown strolling in unopposed and Dale Morton converting.

Doncaster put the result in doubt when Tuffour collected a Paul Cooke punt to touch down with Bobbie Goulding converting. The Dons were denied what could have been the levelling points when a pass out to Liam Kay was judged forward.

And a brilliant break from James Craven eased the pressure on Dewsbury and helped them see out the game.

Doncaster: Waterman, Tuffour, Cunningham, Cowling, Kay, Cooke, Fawcett, Castle, Kesik, Waller, Kelly, Spurr, Emmett. Substitutes: Broughton, Powley, Carbutt, Goudling.

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Rams: Craven, Morton, Hale, Scott, Beckett, Brown, Spaven, Spiers, Wright, Aizue, Spicer, Hepworth, Tonks. Substitutes: Lillycrop, Gallagher, Donaldson, O’Brien.

Referee: M Thomason (RFL).

Declan Hulme and Peter Lupton crossed as Workington opened the new Championship season with a 14-10 victory over Swinton at Leigh Sports Village.

James Laithwaite, one of three Warrington players on a dual registration, gave Swinton the lead with the game’s opening try and Martin Ainscough added a second after Town had turned things round.

Workington’s Carl Forber kicked three goals to just one from Ryan Shaw to provide the difference