Rams’ hopes sunk by first-half blitz

DEWSBURY Rams suffered a five-try first-half blitz as they slipped to defeat at Bramall Lane last Friday in the Co-operative Championship.

Menzie Yere has caused problems for Dewsbury defenders for a number of years and the powerful Papua New Guinea international centre was at it again, roaring in for two early tries to set the Eagles on their way.

Sheffield certainly play to Yere’s strength and after they moved play wide, he met passes at pace to force his way over. Simon Brown added both conversions and Sheffield had a 12-0 lead inside 14 minutes.

Joe Hirst added a third Sheffield try after 27 minutes, again goaled by Brown.

Dewsbury attempted to hit back and having kicked close to the Sheffield line, Quentin Laulu-Togagae gathered and as the Rams’ defence descended, he spotted a gap and raced through

The full-back offloaded to Yere down the left and as another defender closed in, he slipped the ball back inside for Dominic Brambani and the ex-Ram sent Nev Morrison over for a terrific length of the field try.

Misi Taulapapa crossed two minutes before half-time and Brown’s fifth goal put the Eagles 30-0 up.

Stand-off Brown was making his 50th appearance for the Sheffield club and he added a sixth try, which he also goaled, after 54 minutes.

Liam Hood again showed some neat touches after coming off the bench at hooker. The Leeds dual registration player was at the hub of a fine move which helped the Rams pull a try back, with Ayden Faal showing he too can be clinical at centre by touching down despite the attentions of three defenders.

However, the revival was brief as another home passing move opened up the defence and Andrew Henderson was gifted a clear run to the line. Brown maintained his 100 per cent record witha seventh goal.

You cannot fault the heart Dewsbury have shown this season and again they kept plugging away and they were rewarded with a deserved second consolation try.

Cain Southernwood slipped a pass inside, which was met by James Craven and the full-back attacked with pace before beating the full-back to score. Patch Walker landed a tricky conversion from wide out on what had been a difficult evening.