After a sensational two point victory over the North Wales Crusaders in the fourth round of the Coral Challenge Cup, Thatto Heath Crusaders were rewarded with a fifth round home tie against the semi-professional side from Dewsbury, as the Rams and their supporters travelled to Crusader Park in St Helens.
Thatto Heath named the same staring thirteen who were victorious last time out in the Cup as the National Conference Premier League side hoped to repeat their heroics against the ninth placed Championship side who were beaten last weekend by the Bradford Bulls in the league.
It was a good crowd and a terrific atmosphere, the magic of the cup was in evidence as the last community club left in the competition had another roll of the dice.
Thatto Heath spilled the kick-off and with their back line under pressure Andrew Gabriel scored the first Rams try through a lacklustre Crusaders defence. Liam Finn missed the conversion attempt.
Thatto Heath equalised on sixteen when Matty Norton picked up a bouncing ball to spin out of the tackle and drop over the line to ground from five metres out. Bobbie Goulding was unable to kick the extras from the touchline but after a shaky start to the game the home side had grown into it and were deserving of being level after eighteen minutes.
On twenty-three Rob Worrincy used his strength to push over Ben Heyes to ground in the right corner for the Rams second. Finn converted from wide on the touchline for a 10-4 lead.
Mike Stark responded within five minutes as he ran over the top of Robbie Ward to get the Crusaders second try of the afternoon, Bobbie Goulding added the extras and the sides were tied up at 10-10, the Rams far from having it all their own way in a highly competitive first forty minutes against a committed performance from the community club side.
It was the best possible start to the second half for Dewsbury when a high kick hit a Crusaders player on the head and bounced into the hands of Lucas Walshaw who just had to step over the line to score. Finn dropped his conversion just over the crossbar for a 16-10 lead.
On fifty-two the man mountain Sam Kibula crashed over under the sticks to give the Rams some breathing space. Finn added the extras for a twelve point lead.
Adam Ryder showed a great turn of speed to run free down the left touchline and score by the cornerflag to ease the visitors closer towards victory. Finn again converted brilliantly from the touchline for a 28-10 lead.
The game was won on seventy-one when Tom Garratt was the last man in a left to right passing move to cross for the Rams sixth try of the afternoon. Finn was unable to add the extras, his side now 34-10 ahead.
There was a twenty minute stoppage in play with seven minutes left on the clock after a heavy collision between two players. After much on-field attention, both players were stretchered off by medical staff.
The remainder of the game was played out under a cloud as both sides went through the motions, waiting for the final hooter after the long injury suspension. Robbie Ward ran in a fifty metre try off a Sheriffe pass on the final hooter to add a little insult to the scoreline, Finn failed to add the extras, the Rams with a 36-10 win.
It was a brave first half performance from the community side but the added fitness and experience shone through in the second forty as the Rams put the game to bed with a professional performance which saw then run in five unanswered tries to seal their progress to the sixth round. All credit to Thatto Heath for their brilliant and entertaining cup run, doing the amateur game proud.
Crusaders: Heyes, Saunders, Lee, Norton (T), Allen, Crehan, Goulding (G), Stark (T), Foster, Lea, Prendergast, Dwyer, Tracey, Bradshaw. Subs: Dutton, Heskey, Dudley, Quinn.
Rams: Gabriel (T), Leeming, Ryder (T), Sherrife, Ward (T), Walshaw (T), Knowles, Andrade, King, Worrincy (T), Garratt (T), Kibula (T), Finn (4G). Subs: Whiteley, Mackay, Richardson, Field.
Referee: Cameron Worsley.
Half-Time: 10-10.
Full-Time: 10-36.
Attendance: .
