Dewsbury Rams 20 York City Knights 30 - Rams suffer narrow defeat

The sides were locked at 14-14 at half time and tied at 20-points apiece up until the hour mark.

York littered with numerous ex-Super League stars, had their quality shine through in the end as a resolute Rams slipped to defeat.

Dewsbury were looking to bounce back from a loss at the hands of Bradford Bulls the previous week while the Knights were out to build on a thumping win over Swinton Lions, where they scored 64 points.

York threatened early on but couldn't make it pay as Dewsbury took the lead with a Paul Sykes penalty goal on 15 minutes.

Two minutes later, the Rams claimed the first try of the contest as Matty Fleming made the most of a mistake from former Wakefield Trinity and Leeds Rhinos winger Ben Jones-Bishop.

York hit back four minutes after Sykes had converted Fleming's try with Ryan Atkins - one of Super League's all-time leading try-scorers - grounding the ball on the left flank.

In a back-and-forth clash, the Rams added their second try as Andy Gabriel continued his fine start to the season as he planted down in the corner.

Sykes was on form with the boot and added a fine touchline conversion.

The Knights clawed back the eight-point deficit before the interval as Marcus Stock barged through Dewsbury defenders before Kieron Dixon added the conversion and then kicked a penalty goal to level proceedings.

York took the lead for the first time two minutes into the second half when a dropped ball allowed Dixon the chance to finish in the corner.

He converted his own try but the Rams hit back less than 10 minutes later when Aaron Hall reached out to get the ball down despite the attention of several York defenders.

Sykes converted as the hosts looked to press home their advantage but couldn't make it count and were duly punished.

Matty Marsh dotted down between the uprights just before the hour as Dixon's simple conversion gave the away side a six-point advantage.

Jason Walton almost hauled Dewsbury level as the sides went set-for-set but York scored the decisive try two minutes from time as Marsh supported a Dixon break to seal victory for the visitors.

The Rams are back on home soil this week as they welcome Halifax Panthers to the Tetley's Stadium on Sunday evening.