Young Rams suffer defeat at Thunder

Kieran Hyde kicked a conversion for Dewsbury Rams in their defeat at Newcastle.

First team coach Glenn Morrison opted to give several fringe players a first run out of the season, while a number of players expected to feature in the Rams’ reserve team were also handed debuts.

Newcastle opened the scoring after 12 minutes when Charlie Wabo jinked through the Rams defence and sent prop Matty Barron over for a try, which Matty Beharrell converted.

Centre Joe Brown set up another Newcastle attack before Beharrell sent winger Tom Capper over for a 17th minute unconverted try.

Dewsbury’s task became even harder six minutes later when prop Zach Johnson was sent off for striking former Ram Louis Sherriff and the visitors had to play almost three-quarters of the game with 12 men.

Newcastle made their numerical advantage pay when winger Jacob Blades was on the end of a passing move to score in the corner.

Benn Hardcastle’s high kick was then spilled and Jason Payne scooped up the loose ball to send Joe Brown over for Newcastle’s fourth try. Hardcastle converted and Thunder led 20-0.

Dewsbury replied when substitute Joe McLocklan stormed over for a 35th minute try, which Kieran Hyde improved.

Any hopes the Rams had of mounting a second half fightback were ended four minutes after the restart when Joel Farrell knocked on and Papua New Guinea centre Jason Tali capitalised to score, with Hardcastle converting.

Jordan Meads and Dayne Craig then linked to send Tali over for his second try soon after and at 30-6 it was a case of damage limitation for the Rams.

Meads took a quick tap penalty and raced over for a seventh Newcastle try on the hour, with Hardcastle landing his third goal.

Dewsbury deserve credit for keeping going and the 12-men denied Newcastle further scoring opportunities, while grabbing a second try themselves.

Young half-back Brad Delaney, snapped up from local amateurs Dewsbury Moor, produced a neat grubber kick which former Hull FC centre Jason Crookes snapped up to grab his first try in Rams colours.

The young Rams will have gained experience from their venture north but it is expected to be a much stronger side who take on London Broncos in their final friendly fixture on Sunday.

Newcastle Thunder: Sherriff; Blades, Tali, Brown, Capper; Meads, Beharrell; Barron, Wabo, Mexico, Clarke, Payne, Walsh. Subs: Craig, Stoker, Ruff, Murray, Bowring, Boot, Fawless, Hardcastle, Clark.

Dewsbury Rams: Forsyth; Langton, Crookes, Beckett, Buchanan; Hyde, B Delaney; Smith, Wright, Johnson, Muranka, Farrell, Barlow. Subs: J Delaney, McLocklan, Horn, Timmins, Dunn, Lidbury.

Referee: Gareth Hewer.

Attendance: 303.