Toulouse Olympique 16 Dewsbury Rams 8: Dewsbury setback in relegation scrap as doomed Toulouse win

However, the thought that the French side might be easily rolled over proved completely groundless and they threw themselves whole-heartedly into the fray.

In stifling heat both sides found it difficult holding onto possession. But on the other side of the ball both sides defended resolutely. Toulouse had the edge in territory and opportunities created but the Rams kept their line intact.

With the first period pointless the first team to score was going to put a marker down. Dewsbury coughed up possession well into their opponents’ half and the home winger Mercia intercepted to go 60 metres untouched to score at the other end.

Walker pulled a couple of points back with a penalty goal but were hit by another blow when White got a second try for Toulouse to make it 10-2.

Midway through the second half the ground was engulfed in a torrential thunderstorm which made flowing rugby impossible. The French side just put ball to boot and chased it.

With Lockwood very much to the fore the Rams tried to lift their game.

They were rewarded just nine minutes from time when Walker’s towering kick eluded the hosts’ defence in the downpour and Blake won the chase for the touchdown.

With Walker adding the extras it was still anyone’s game.

However, it was the locals who had the better of the closing stages, camping out near the Dewsbury line.

A last-minute penalty goal by Nicholls secured the Toulouse victory leaving Warren Jowitt’s team a useful bonus point to return home with.

Toulouse: Bromley, Mercier, Planas, Couturier, White, Nicholls, Villegas, Ancely, Cook, Pelo, Larroyer, Maria, Houles. Substitutes: Faure, Martins, Tisseyre, Ormeno.

Dewsbury Rams: Craven, Wainwright, Spicer, Faal, Buchanan, P. Walker, Brambani, England, Blake, Crossley, Lockwood, Fletcher, Tonks. Substitutes: Menzies, Hirst, Wilham, Smith.

Referee: C Leatherbarrow (RFL).