Hunslet 16 Dewsbury 31: Battling Hawks knocked out as Rams gain revenge for league loss

Matthew Haggerty scored the opening try for Dewsbury Rams against Hunslet. Picture James Hardisty, (JH1008/15d).

The Rams powered over the line just six minutes in, Anthony Thackeray releasing Matthew Haggarty who touched down.

The Hawks countered quickly though, Charlie Martin helping to create a break and release Liam Mackay who scored under the posts, the conversion by Simon Brown taking the score to 6-6.

Simon Brown’s fantastic kicking game kept the Rams in their own half, great play earning the Hawks a penalty in the 31st minute.

Electing to take two points, the wind became a factor as Brown’s kick just sailed wide.

That seemed to spur Dewsbury on, who countered and scored at the other end of the field, James Delaney completing a fantastic move by Scott Hale, before a Rams penalty on the hooter made the half-time score 6-14

The Hawks started the second half with a 40-20 but couldn’t make the most of the play, the Rams making the first move of in the 55th minuite, Jason Crookes finding the try line.

Dewsbury scored again in the 60th minute, the huge figure of Makali Aizue taking the ball and three defenders with him to extend the lead, the Hawks now trailing by a large margin with 20 minutes remaining.

Luke Briscoe opened the door to a comeback five minutes later, taking the score to 10-24.

Dewsbury tried to draw a close to the game with a Hyde drop goal in the 71st minute, but Hunslet managed to score again, Charlie Martin twisting and turning his way to complete a fantastic move by the Hawks and score.

As time ran out a kick through saw Aaron Brown score the final try of the day, a score ending what had been difficult day at the office for Hunslet, the full time score being 16-31.

Hunslet: Watson, Duckworth, Briscoe, Maun, Barnett, Brown, Kain, Mulhern, Lee, Brennan, Casey, Martin, Mackay. Substitutes: Flanagan, Mvududu, Haley, Lyons.

Dewsbury: Hyde, Morton, Crookes, Beckett, Grant, Brown, Thackeray, Jackson, Wildie, Haggerty, Spicer, Hale, L. Adamson. Substitutes: Aizue, Smith, Farrell, Delaney.

Referee: C Leatherbarrow (RFL).