Dewsbury Rams 20-30 Hunslet RLFC

Hunslet turned in one of their better performances of the season at the FLAIR Stadium, Dewsbury (2 August 2026) as they sought revenge on Dewsbury Rams for their opening day defeat at the South Leeds Stadium.

Hunslet have not won at Dewsbury since 2004, but looked a different team to previous weeks as they controlled the game and scored some superb tries, despite a late Dewsbury comeback to add a little tension.

It started well for Hunslet as the kick off went dead. The Parksiders got on the front foot and both Dan Abram and Harrison Gilmore went close, before a neat kick just beat the Hunslet attackers to the dead ball line.

Unfortunately Eddie Battye prevented a quick tap and found himself sent to the sin-bin reducing Hunslet to 12 men, meaning Dewsbury could get on the front foot.

Penalties and ‘6 again’s’ were costing Hunslet, but Mackenzie Turner saved the day with a superb try saving tackle on Liam Copland.

Although Harrison Gilmore was again held up, The Rams took the lead on 23 minutes when Louie Walker took an easy two points for holding down. 2-0

7 minutes later and at last Hunslet got over the line. Ethan O’Hanlon had battered a hole in the Dewsbury defence before Lee Gaskell kicked through and Myles Harrop stuck out a hand to score. Dan Abram converting 2-6

Hunslet now played some lovely rugby, and on 35 minutes a great move saw Dan Abram send Sam Grice into a gap. The loanee showed good pace to score and with Abram converting Hunslet led by 2-12.

That would have been a fair half time score. But Dewsbury got some possession and a neat kick through saw Bailey O’Connor follow up to score, the fans calling for off-side. Walker converted and we went in with Hunslet leading 8-12 at the break.

Dewsbury came out on the attack in the second period, but Mackenzie Turner took a great catch to stop the Hunslet line being breached.

On 47 minutes, after a good set, Aiden Doolan chipped forward on the last tackle and backed up his own kick to score. Abram converting 8-18

With a bit of breathing space Hunslet started to play some good rugby. Harrison Gilmore backed up last week’s brace with another strong run and try and although Lee Gaskell had to leave the field Dan Abram added the extras to make it 8-24.

Ant Walker and Charlie Graham both came close to scoring before, on 61 minutes, Watson and Harrop combined on the left to cut Dewsbury open before Ethan O’Hanlon stretched out to score. Abram converting 8-30.

It could now be a big score as O’Hanlon, Gilmore and Doolan all went close for Hunslet, but credit to Dewsbury who had played at Keighley on Wednesday night. The Rams found a gap down the left and Dan Coates finished off a good try, Walker converting. 14-30 on 71 minutes.

Nerves jangled a bit when a lucky bounce led to another Coates try and Walker conversion on 76 minutes, but although the momentum was now with Dewsbury a joint Jimmy Watson/Dan Abram tackle in the corner snuffed out any chance of late drama.

On the hooter Hunslet were deserved winners and can now hopefully take this confidence into their remaining three fixtures.

Doolan was excellent around the ruck, Hatton was a welcome returnee, Grice and O’Hanlon ran powerfully and Dan Abram controlled the midfield well, especially after the departure of Lee Gaskell, but it was a good all round team performance where Hunslet were hard to break down and made few mistakes.

Dewsbury Rams:  O’Connor, Copland, Carr, Senior, Delaney, Coates, Walker, Nelmes, Lyne, Collinson, Graham, Bateman, Addy.  Interchange: Lumb, Lingard, Roberts, Briggs. 18th Player: Thompson.

Hunslet RLFC:  Watson, Graham, Hatton, Harrop, Turner, Gaskell, Abram, Grice, Doolan, Laidlaw, Gilmore, Carr, Battye.  Interchange: Baldwinson, O’Hanlon, Walker, Broadbent.  18th Player: Berry.