Dewsbury Rams 18 Halifax 46: Visitors rarely troubled by Rams
Halifax moved above Leigh in the Championship with a comfortable win at Dewsbury.
The visitors, who reshuffled their side to accommodate new recruit Quentin Laulu-Togagae at full back, were never in trouble against Neil Kelly’s side, opening up a 22-12 half-time lead before pulling well clear in the final quarter.
In a rock-solid debut, QLT provided Richard Marshall’s side with a different dimension in attack, providing the final pass for three tries and scoring a long-range effort himself.
The Samoan wasted no time in making his presence felt, putting the impressive Chester Butler into space with 10 minutes on the clock and the centre-turned-back-rower applying a confident finish from 25 metres out.
Steve Tyrer converted for a 6-0 lead, although that last a matter of moments when a loose ball from Scott Murrell allowed Dale Morton to exchange passes with Gareth Moore and score in the corner. Paul Sykes converted from the sideline, but Fax, who looked dangerous with the ball, were soon back in fron, 12-6 that extended to 22-6 before Rams gained a lifeline just before the break, Dom Speakman picking up a spill and forcing his way over. Sykes again added an excellent conversion.
Sykes scored and converted shortly after the restart, but Fax responded immediately, Butler charging in for his second. Tyrer converted. In the final quarter, QLT slipped Tyrer over then added his first try for the club, collecting Murrell’s chip and chase before racing clear from 60 metres.
A long-range charge from Sharp, converted by Tyrer, rounded things off.
Dewsbury: Guzdek; Worrincy, Glover, Hallet, Morton; Sykes, Moore; Sheriffe, Ward, Teanby, Crowther, Spicer, Brown. Subs: Speakman, Walshaw, Annakin, Trout
Halifax: Laulu-Togagae; McGrath, Tyrer, Saltonstall, Sharp; Murrell, Johnston; Fairbank, Moore, Maher, Butler, Grady, Grix. Subs: Kaye, Morris, Fleming, Green
Referee: M. Griffiths.