A season that posed so many challenges on and off the field due to the pandemic meant camaraderie was essential, and the Rams had it in abundance. They rounded their season off with an excellent performance, beating Oldham 21-14 to finish 10th.
This came a week after a memorable away win at close rivals & neighbours Batley Bulldogs, an edgy encounter where Dewsbury ran out 24-31 victors.
The West Yorkshire club can take confidence from their strong finish to 2021, and Head Coach Lee Greenwood will no doubt have them prepared for another season in the second tier. The former England winger has gained a reputation of being a hands-on boss, always doing more for the club than what would typically be expected of someone in his position. His side have had some seriously stern tests in preparation for the new season, clashing with Betfred Super League clubs.
Groundwork for the 2022 season began with a visit from Huddersfield Giants for Michael Knowles' testimonial, and although the top-flight side came out 12-42 winners, they didn't have it easy. The Rams battled throughout and levelled the scores twice, really making the Giants work for their win.
The opposition didn't get any easier for Dewsbury, as 2021 Super League play-off semi-finalists Hull KR rolled into town. A star-studded KR team eventually had too much for the Rams, winning 12-60.
Squaring off against some of the sport’s most talented & physical players over the course of pre-season can only benefit Dewsbury as they look ahead to the 2022 season - they made a great account of themselves in two battles against elite sides, with some new signings bedding in nicely.
Transfers in:
- Dale Ferguson (Featherstone Rovers)
- Jake Sweeting (Featherstone Rovers)
- Jimmy Beckett (Featherstone Rovers)
- Ross Peltier (Doncaster)
- Matty Beharrell (Doncaster)
- Oliver Greensmith (Wakefield Trinity)
- Harry Kidd (Hunslet)
- Owen Harrison (Hull KR)
- Harry Copley (Dewsbury Celtic)
- Jackson Walker (Dewsbury Moor)
- Brad Graham (Castleford Tigers)
- Callum Turner (Newcastle Thunder)
Transfers out:
- Tom Garratt (Hull KR)
- Matty Fleming (Widnes Vikings)
- Liam Finn (Retiring)
- Bayley Liu (Sheffield Eagles)
- Rhys Davies (Rochdale Hornets)
- Will Oakes (York City Knights)
- Sam Day
One to Watch
Halfback Matty Beharrell has spent much of his career in League One, leading Doncaster around since joining the South Yorkshire club in 2018.
But the Hull KR academy product gets his Championship opportunity with Dewsbury this year as they aim to replace Liam Finn following his retirement.
The 27-year-old, who stands at 5 foot 4 inches tall and became Super League's shortest-ever player when he made his debut for Hull KR in 2012, stood out for a Doncaster side who produced an incredible run to the League 1 play-off final against the odds in 2021, and will be hoping for more of the same as he steps up a division in 2022.
2022 FULL SQUAD:
Andy Gabriel, Adam Ryder, Davey Dixon, Lewis Carr, Alex Smith, Matty Beharrell, Jimmy Beckett, Reiss Butterworth, Harry Kidd, Jason Walton, Michael Knowles, Chris Annakin, Dom Speakman, Keenen Tomlinson, Jordan Schofield, Ross Peltier, Ollie Greensmith, Jake Sweeting, Aaron Hall, Brad Graham, Jon Magrin, Dale Ferguson, Harry Copley, Jackson Walker, Callum Turner
The Rams will kickstart their 2022 season at home to Bradford Bulls on Sunday 30th January, at 15:00.
