Rams snatch victory to thwart Keighley

Man-of-the-match Patch Walker was instrumental for Warren Jowitt’s side and almost helped to put them ahead in the opening minute. The chance went begging, however, as Ryan Esders coughed up possession with the try-line beckoning.

Undeterred, Dewsbury persevered and Michael Wainwright crashed over in the corner. Walker added the difficult extras.

Ollie Pursglove replied for Keighley and Danny Jones landed a touchline conversion to level the scores at 6-6.

Liam Hood came up with a big hit on Cougar Jode Sheriffe to force an error, and from the scrum, Rob Spicer glided across the whitewash.

Austin Buchanan swapped wings shortly before the interval and the tactical moved had an instant impact as he collected a Walker bomb to touch down.

Keighley centre James Haythornthwaite kept his side within reach, though, with a try just minutes before the half-time hooter.

Jones hammered a 40-20 during Keighley’s first play of the second half and that lifted his side as winger Craig Moss bagged a double within nine minutes.

However, the hosts battled back with an Andy Smith touchdown. Walker was unable to convert, leaving the scores tied at 22-22.

With six minutes remaining, Walker mimicked Jones’s kick, shooting a 40-20 of his own.

From there came a vital drop-goal, which was followed by a match-winning Scott Spaven try, two minutes from time.

Dewsbury: Craven, Wainwright, Esders, Faal, Buchanan, Walker, Spaven, Jones, Hood, Crossley, Spicer, Barker, Tonks. Substitutes: Singleton, Nicholson, Smith, Blake.

Keighley: Moss, Barnett, Haythornthwaite, Tadulala, Duffy, D. Jones, Obst, R. Jones, Feather, Cherryholme, Pursglove, Reid, Coleman. Substitutes: Davey, Demetriou, Sheriffe, Korkidas.

Referee: R Laughton (RFL).