REPORT | Doncaster RLFC 38 Dewsbury Rams 12

Doncaster RLFC recorded their first back-to-back victories of the 2024 Betfred Championship season on Sunday, defeating Yorkshire rivals Dewsbury Rams 38-12 at the Eco-Power Stadium.

The Dons started well, on the front foot in attack and limiting their opponents in defence. Josh Gudzek got the scoreboard ticking after a neat pass from Craig Hall close to Dewsbury's line. A well-deserved opener after a strong start. 

However, that positive opening stint was quickly punished by the Rams, who would take the lead through Jacob Hookem. The former Hull FC man produced a dummy from close range, their first attacking set at the Dons' try-line. Brad Knowles and Pauli Pauli led from the front after the setback, trying to get the Dons back in the ascendancy with some lung-busting carries and hits. 

Those effort areas would be rewarded after a sustained amount of pressure from Richard Horne's side. Craig Hall was involved again as the halfback assisted Misi Taulapapa, who acrobatically finished the try in the corner. The Dons would then go back-to-back. After a set that saw the hosts go downfield, Knowles continued to break holes in Dewsbury's defensive line, this time racing 15m to score under the sticks. 16-6 in favour of the side from South Yorkshire after thirty minutes. 

It was a scrappy end to the first half. Both teams came close to adding another try before the interval but without any joy. Not the perfect first 40, but the Dons went into the sheds 16-6 up with something to build on moving forward. 

It didn't take long for the Dons to post points after the break. Tyla Hepi and Pauli Pauli led the way with their carries before the latter broke the Rams' barriers to feed Joe Lovodua a walk-in under the sticks. 

Pauli would get himself a try shortly after. As proven so many times already in 2024, stopping the Dons big man from close range can seem an impossible task. After fending off two would-be Dewsbury tackles, the enforcer eased over to take the game away from the visitors, with the Dons in party mode. 

Never giving up, the away side posed plenty of threats at times, but the Dons stood firm in defence, working hard for each other and shutting down any potential shift plays. Craig Hall would get in on the act as the hour-mark hit. Fooling the Rams' defence, the halfback jinked his way over after a well-worked scrum paid off as the hosts surpassed 30 points. 

Dewsbury would grab a consolation try before the end of the game, with Brad Graham going over after a knock-on following a kick. However, it was the Dons who finished on a high. Although star centre Reece Lyne has left the field due to what looked to be a hamstring injury, Connor Robinson put the icing on the cake for the hosts, scoring just before the hooter. A big win for the Dons, who pick up their third win of the year. 

Up next for Horne's side is a trip to Widnes Vikings as the Dons look to avenge their Challenge Cup defeat earlier this year. 

Doncaster RLFC

Josh Gudzek, Luke Briscoe, Reece Lyne, Brad Hey, Misi Taulapapa, Craig Hall, Connor Robinson, Suaia Matagi, Greg Burns, Brad Knowles, Pauli Pauli, Brett Ferres, Loui McConnell

Subs: Sam Smeaton, Keelan Foster, Tyla Hepi, Joe Lovodua

Tries: Gudzek, Taulapapa, Knowles, Lovodua, Pauli, Hall, Robinson

Conversions: Robinson 5/7

Dewsbury Rams

Callum Turner, Perry Whiteley, Ollie Greensmith, Marcus Walker, Travis Corion, Paul Sykes, Jacob Hookem, Jimmy Beckitt, Curtis Davies, Jackson Walker, Matt Garside, Brad Graham, Louis Collinson

Subs: Bailey Dawson, Joe Hird, Rohan Dixon, Davey Dixon

Tries: Hookem, Graham

Conversions: Turner 2/2