The Rams took a step closer to winning the Division 2 North Conference title on Sunday with another good all round performance against an under strength Mersey side. Unfortunately the game had to be stopped at half time, result standing, as injuries to the visitors made it impossible to carry on

Yorkshire scored on their first drive from the Mersey kick off starting with a good return by Tonie Browne to the Nighthawk’s 40 yard line. Paul Calvert gathered in a pass from Simon Dewdney at the 9 yard marker to set up Jay Alexander’s touchdown run on the next play, Dewdney kicked the extra point. Good defence by the Rams kept Mersey pinned in their own half and midway through the quarter a fumble by the visitors was recovered by Yorkshire’s defensive MVP, Andy Hill, at the 19 yard spot. A couple of plays later Justin Lester went in from the nine for his first score, Dewdney again adding the point after. The Wakefield side put more points on the board just before the end of the quarter following a hit on the ball carrier by Ram’s Ben Walsh with Hill again getting the recovery at Mersey’s 22. Offensive MVP Alexander ran the ball but was brought down short of the endzone by some good tackling, though on the next play he went in for a 1 yard score to finish the period with the Rams 20 points up.

Yorkshire scored early in the second quarter when another forced fumble on Mersey, this time by Adrian Hirst, was picked up by Stuart Jones to set up the touchdown drive. Lester went in from six yards for his second and Dewdney split the posts to put the score at 27 - 0. With the Nighthawk’s players visibly tiring, Stuart Muir being awarded the ‘Hawks MVP, Yorkshire added to their score approaching the end of the half when Lester got his hat trick with a 43 yard sprint down the left sideline. Dewdney once more kicked the extra point. With Mersey conceding the game at the half it leaves the Rams in a strong position at the top of the table to go into the play-offs with home field advantage.

Yorkshire finish their regular season schedule on Sunday when the Staffordshire Surge travel to Wakefield where a win for the Rams would get them the Conference title. Kick off is 2:30 at the Westgate Redoubt ARLFC, Broadway, Lupset