REPORT | Dewsbury Rams 16 Dons 20

Doncaster RLFC made it back-to-back wins on Sunday afternoon, defeating Dewsbury Rams 20-16 in a nail-biting affair at the Flair Stadium in West Yorkshire.

In a mostly uneventful opening stanza, the Dons started the strongest in the arm-wrestle and came close to scoring through Tom Halliday. Richard Horne's men also showed some grit in defence, holding up veteran forward Dale Ferguson over the line to keep the scores level.

Both teams wouldn't have been happy with how they started the contest. An opening quarter filled with errors and missed chances, with the game desperate for a try. Unfortunately, that would be taken by the Rams. Full-back Bailey O'Connor saw a gap in the Dons' defence and danced over from close range. Paul Sykes knocked over the conversion from touch, giving Dewsbury a 6-0 lead after 25 minutes.

Needing a response, the Dons immediately hit back thanks to Jason Tali who punched through the Rams' defensive barricades. However, an error from the restart by Doncaster allowed Dewsbury to post another try moments later. Jacob Hookem's grubber kick was collected by Sykes, who darted over to extend the hosts' lead. Dewsbury would add a penalty before the break, meaning the Rams went into the sheds leading 14-4, with the Dons needing to react after a difficult opening 40.

Needing a response, Horne's team talk put the fire in the Dons' bellies, as the away side got on the scoresheet four minutes into the second half. Craig Hall's clever short pass found Pauli Pauli 10m out, with Dewsbury unable to stop the big man from scoring. The Rams would earn a penalty shortly after O'Connor once again opted to take the points on offer, slotting over a penalty and handing Dewsbury a six-point lead.

After a frantic start to the second half, things slowly calmed down. The Dons had a few close calls go against them, including a forward pass just as Pauli Pauli looked to be adding his second. Arguably the better side in attack, Horne's men still trailed the contest. Not for long. Pauli was again involved but this time on the assist sheet. Bulldozing through the Rams' line, he found Josh Guzdek on his outside, who raced 30m downfield to level the contest as we headed into the final quarter.

The Dons would take the lead for the first time on 67 minutes. Loui McConnell was taken high just before the try-line, as Robinson easily kicked over the two points on offer. A nail-biting ending on the cards with no indication of who would take home the win. Robinson would add another penalty before the final hooter, as the Rams were pinged again for a high tackle. Nathan Wilde came close to putting the icing on the cake for the Dons but was held up over the line. It wasn't easy, but Doncaster produced a good second-half showing to come from behind and leave the Heavy Woolen area with the crucial two points.

Up next for the Dons is a trip to North Yorkshire to face York Knights next Sunday (14th July).

Doncaster RLFC

Josh Guzdek, Tom Halliday, Reece Lyne, Jason Tali, Bureta Fariamo, Craig Hall, Connor Robinson, Brad Knowles, Joe Lovodua, Suaia Matagi, Pauli Pauli, Brett Ferres, Nathan Wilde

Subs: Brad Hey, Keelan Foster, Loui McConnell, Watson Boas

Tries: Tali, Pauli, Guzdek

Conversions: Robinson 4/5

Dewsbury Rams

Bailey O'Connor, Lewis Carr, Brad Graham, Marcus Walker, Owen Restall, Paul Sykes, Jacob Hookem, Jackson Walker, Reiss Butterworth, Rohan Dixon, Dale Ferguson, Matt Garside, Jimmy Beckett

Subs: Curtis Davis, Jack Bibby, Elliot Morris, Louis Collinson

Tries: O'Connor, Sykes

Conversions: Sykes 1/1, Hookem 1/1, O'Connor 2/2