Defeat to Bury ends Rams' season

Wed Aug 10 2016

The Yorkshire Rams suffered defeat in their play-off quarter-final as the Bury Saints imposed themselves in a 35-0 win.

On the road after defeat in the previous week’s regular-season finale, the Rams had several players injured or unable to travel. With the skill positions particularly effective, it was a struggle to move the ball against the home team’s lively defence which led to a disappointing second shutout of the season.

Good blocking sprung Saints running back Cory Jenkins down the right for a 35-yard opening score and he made further yards on a fake field goal to put the hosts in position for an 11-yard touchdown to wide receiver Joe Hill.

Constant pressure was forcing Rams quarterback Taylor Umland, left, to show his scrambling and improvisational skills, but it was opposite number Fred Boyle who again hit Hill for a long score and after Jenkins slipped two tackles to cross again, Derek White’s two-point conversion made it 27-0 at half-time.

With some observers looking towards a ‘50-burger’ an improved defensive showing from the Rams coupled with Bury resting some players resulted in a more respectable second period. A holding flag also denied the fleet-footed Jenkins a hat-trick.

There were some highlights for the Rams offence as Spencer Whybrow and Amit Singh showed great tenacity while Liam Austin absorbed some big hits and Faheem Hasan continued his late-season breakout - though for the second week running, the latter should have had a long-range touchdown, this time dropping a deep pass after Umland’s pump-fake and rollout.

White added to the score with an incredible 75-yard run, staying in bounds by the narrowest margin, and Boyle and receiver Derek Harrington hooked up for another two-pointer.

Despite a disappointing end, it has been a proud season for the Rams after last year’s relegation and a youthful roster will be looking to push on next season and make it back to the top flight. Good luck to Bury in the remainder of the play-offs - we hope to see you at South Leeds Stadium for August 28’s Division One final!