Dewsbury Rams 18, Keighley Cougars 10

Cougars surrendered a half-time lead today but climbed off the bottom of the Kingstone Press Championship after claiming a losing bonus point at Dewsbury.

Tries from Jesse Sheriffe and replacement Scott Law put Paul March’s men 10-4 up at the break against a Rams side coached by former Bradford forward Glenn Morrison and featuring ex-Bulls winger Karl Pryce.

But Dewsbury, who also included young Bradford hooker Adam O’Brien on dual registration, upped the tempo after the break and claimed victory with three unanswered second-half tries.

The result left March bitterly disappointed as he tasted defeat against his home-town club in today’s rearranged fixture – a match which saw Cougars include centre James Haley following his return from Australia.

Dewsbury had lost their previous seven league outings, and March, who lined up at half-back alongside Danny Jones, said: “I’m very disappointed.

“We went from total domination of a game to total lack of respect for the ball.

“First half I thought we defended for each other, even when we were under the pump.

“The boot was on the other foot in the second half and we just invited them in.

“They still worked their socks off, and if we’d have taken our opportunities, it would’ve been a different game.”

Cougars began the brighter and, after Daley Williams had a try ruled out, they led in the 16th minute when Wales international Jones threw a fine pass out to Sheriffe, who finished well in the corner.

Jones could not convert and Dewsbury steadied themselves before Pryce – released by Bradford at the end of last season – powered his way over the line in the 22nd minute.

Yet Cougars fashioned the perfect response three minutes later when Law collected possession after good work from Sean Hesketh to crash over the line for a try which Jones converted.

Whatever Morrison said to his players at half-time worked as they scored within two minutes of the restart when second-rower Lucas Walshaw outmuscled the Cougars defence to score.

Former Cougars half-back Jy-mel Coleman added the extras and Dewsbury began to move through the gears.

In the 47th minute, they scored again when winger Dale Morton touched down after Danny Lawton spilled a kick, and then shortly after the hour mark Cougars erred again, allowing Dewsbury a fourth try.

Winger Paul White failed to deal with a high kick from Aaron Brown and the Rams worked the ball out wide for Greg Scott to score in the corner.