Match Report | Dewsbury Rams 16-18 Sheffield Eagles

30/03/2026

Written by Spencer Arnold

Kieran Gill’s try after the hooter and Jordan Lilley's touchline conversion saw the Eagles come from behind on Sunday afternoon to return to winning ways in the Betfred Championship against Dewsbury Rams.

The Eagles were hoping to hit back after last week’s defeat to Oldham, our first defeat of the season, as we headed to the FLAIR Stadium for this Round 8 clash.

Joe Brown slotted in at fullback to replace Matty Marsh, who came off injured in last week’s defeat, and Will Oakes moved onto the wing to make room for Gill’s return at centre, as minimal changes were once again made to the side by Head Coach Craig Lingard.

It was a windy day at the FLAIR stadium, making conditions tough for either side to compete in.

The first twelve minutes of the contest was a slugfest of trading tackles and sets with both sides marching their way up and down the pitch with errors and strong defence preventing either side from gaining the advantage, but an early penalty awarded to Dewsbury resulted in them taking the two points for an early lead.

Gill, alongside Masi Matongo, George Griffin and Connor Bower, were all held up over the Dewsbury line as the Eagles looked to edge ahead, but it was the home side who edged themselves further ahead 21 minutes in as George Senior reached out in the left corner to score.

Both sides had tries ruled out in the final ten minutes of the first half, but it was the home side who headed into half time with a singular-score lead.

The hosts extended their lead early on in the second half through Bailey O’Connor, who kicked through on the last tackle, and the bounce of the ball benefitted the Dewsbury centre, who collected his own kick to score. 

With a 12-0 lead, the home side then found themselves level in the contest as quick-fire tries from the Eagles saw us respond in West Yorkshire.

First, a pinpoint pass from Kai Morgan put Billy Walkley through in the corner, before moments later, Blake Broadbent barrelled his way over to score underneath the sticks from close-range.

With the wind favouring the Eagles in the second half, you might have thought we'd have lined up for a drop goal, but the chance went away when Dewsbury edged themselves back ahead through Callum Jordan, who dotted down in the right corner on 73 minutes. 

With the game seemingly won for Dewsbury, the ball was in the Eagles' possession, and as the full-time hooter ran out across the stadium, Gill crossed over the tryline to quickly bring us back level, before a perfect left touchline conversion from Jordan Lilley sent the Eagles into raptures as we came from behind to get back to winning ways.

A tough test awaits the Eagles this coming Friday, but one which will excite everyone involved, as we take on South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster at the Steel City Stadium (3pm KO).

Dewsbury Rams: McShane, Jordan, O’Connor, Senior, Delaney, Coates, Hookem, Collinson, McShane, Nelmes, Summers, Graham, Addy

Interchanges (all used): Mearns, Roberts, Bateman, Tomlinson

18th Man: Everett

Tries: Senior (21’), O’Connor (47’), Jordan (73’)

Goals: Hookem (2/4)

Sheffield Eagles: Brown, Oakes, Gill, Hodson, Walkley, Morgan, Lilley, Matongo, Johnson, Reilly, Bower, Farrell, Griffin

Interchanges (all used): Bussey, Butterworth, Broadbent, Bowes

18th Man: Ellis

Tries: Walkley (54’), Broadbent (58’), Gill (80’)

Goals: Lilley (3/3)

Referee: M. Lynn