Masterly Murrell puts paid to Rams’ hopes

The Halifax half-back, a former Super League player with Hull Kingston Rovers, proved lethal and had a hand in almost everything for the visitors who led 28-4 at the break.

Ram Dale Morton replied – on 19 minutes – to Halifax tries courtesy of Ryan Fieldhouse and Ross Divorty, the former coming after a fabulous 40-20 from Murrell.

Another from Murrell, shortly after, provided the platform for Lee Patterson to cross and there were further first-half scores from Wayne Reittie and double man Divorty.

Adam O’Brien hit back for the Rams on 55 minutes, but Andy Bracek’s response ended realistic hopes of success.

Kieran Hyde ensured an exciting climax as Dewsbury moved to secure a potentially crucial point, but a Murrell drop-goal put paid to such hopes in the closing seconds.

Dewsbury: Pryce, Morton, Watkinson, Scott, Finigan, Hyde, Goulding, Nash, Bentley, Hepworth, Walshaw, Hale, Gallagher. Substitutes: O’Brien, Tonks, Jones, Lillycrop.

Halifax: Fieldhouse, Paterson, Tyrer, Heaton, Reittie, Murrell, Thackery, Tonks, Handforth, Bracek, Manning, Divorty, C. Ashall. Substitutes: K. Ashall, Ambler, Robinson, Adamson.

Referee: W Turley (RFL).

Whitehaven earned the West Cumbrian bragging rights after beating local rivals Workington Town 29-18 yesterday in the Kingstone Championship. James Cameron, James Newton, Adam Swift, Craig Calvert, Lee Paterson and Carl Sice all touched down for the victors, with Paddy Flynn’s brace of tries proving in vain for the visitors.

In the Kingstone Press Championship 1 yesterday, London Skolars defeated Rochdale Hornets 32-16 while Oldham beat Hemel Stags 26-18 and Oxford notched a 28-6 victory at South Wales Scorpions.