Sat 14 Feb 2026, 13:30
The home win against Hoylake on 10th January gave a little glimpse of what Ramsey were capable of despite their position at the bottom of Counties 3 ADM Lancs/Cheshire. This weekend in the first round of fixtures in the Counties 3 Minor Conference the little glimpse turned into a full showing when they beat Dukinfield 43-19 at the Mooragh Park. The Manchester side are the highest placed team in the conference and the defeat will raise a few eyebrows. To be fair to Dukinfield their flight was delayed for three hours and that coupled with an early start won’t have helped their preparation, however that particular sword has two edges and produced little sympathy from a ruthless Ramsey side which has suffered similarly.
From the start the game was played at a breakneck pace and it looked like Dukinfield were going to score when centre Charlie Smith broke clear from inside his own half. His punt ahead earned his side an attacking scrum inside the Ramsey twenty two. As the scrum was fed, the Ramsey tight five roared into life and stole the ball. Matt Meechan launched from the base and broke the Dukinfield line. Keiran Kneale and Brandon Atchison went with him and they linked to send Jake Richmond in for the opening try. Dan Kelly converted for a 7-0 lead. Three minutes later Kelly’s penalty attempt went wide but the drop out was fielded by Matt Meechan who ran it straight back. Ben Hardman added continuity and his pass sent Brayden Roche over the line. Kelly converted and the lead was suddenly 14-0.
Just after the twenty minute mark Kelly made it 21-0. Ramsey had earned ruck ball in the shadow of the Dukinfield posts and Kelly sneaked down the side of the ruck and dotted down. He then converted his own try.
Dukinfield struck back immediately. Stand off Dave Whitham carved his way through the Ramsey line and touched down under the posts with Jonny Sculthorp converting. Five minutes later they were in again. Ramsey indiscipline conceded a midfield penalty. Whitham fired it into the corner to give his forwards a shot at a catch and drive line out. This was executed effectively and hooker Ben Pugh was the beneficiary, making the score 21-12. That scoreline didn’t last though. Ramsey reclaimed the restart and Ben Hardman stretched a big arm out to score and make the Ramsey half time lead 26-12.
Seven minutes into the second half Josh Corteen tapped a quick penalty for Ramsey. Matt Meechan slammed into the visitors’ midfield and flipped the ball out of the tackle for Kieran Kneale to score and extend the lead. Dukinfield then took some control. They slowed the play down and concentrated on working the ball with their forwards. Aaron Pashdale made some big carries as they worked downfield and after Ramsey conceded a string of penalties the defence was stretched and Ben Pugh forced his way over the line for his second of the day. Sculthorp converted and reduced the Ramsey lead to 31-19.
That effort however seemed to take it out of Dukinfield and with ten to play they were struggling. Ramsey made the most of this. Jake Richmond ran back an attempted clearance, Meechan was on his shoulder and he drew in the defence before popping to Brandon Atchison to score. Three from the end Ramsey replacement Ross Quayle bulldozed his way over the line for the final try of the afternoon which Dan Kelly converted.
From the start the game was played at a breakneck pace and it looked like Dukinfield were going to score when centre Charlie Smith broke clear from inside his own half. His punt ahead earned his side an attacking scrum inside the Ramsey twenty two. As the scrum was fed, the Ramsey tight five roared into life and stole the ball. Matt Meechan launched from the base and broke the Dukinfield line. Keiran Kneale and Brandon Atchison went with him and they linked to send Jake Richmond in for the opening try. Dan Kelly converted for a 7-0 lead. Three minutes later Kelly’s penalty attempt went wide but the drop out was fielded by Matt Meechan who ran it straight back. Ben Hardman added continuity and his pass sent Brayden Roche over the line. Kelly converted and the lead was suddenly 14-0.
Just after the twenty minute mark Kelly made it 21-0. Ramsey had earned ruck ball in the shadow of the Dukinfield posts and Kelly sneaked down the side of the ruck and dotted down. He then converted his own try.
Dukinfield struck back immediately. Stand off Dave Whitham carved his way through the Ramsey line and touched down under the posts with Jonny Sculthorp converting. Five minutes later they were in again. Ramsey indiscipline conceded a midfield penalty. Whitham fired it into the corner to give his forwards a shot at a catch and drive line out. This was executed effectively and hooker Ben Pugh was the beneficiary, making the score 21-12. That scoreline didn’t last though. Ramsey reclaimed the restart and Ben Hardman stretched a big arm out to score and make the Ramsey half time lead 26-12.
Seven minutes into the second half Josh Corteen tapped a quick penalty for Ramsey. Matt Meechan slammed into the visitors’ midfield and flipped the ball out of the tackle for Kieran Kneale to score and extend the lead. Dukinfield then took some control. They slowed the play down and concentrated on working the ball with their forwards. Aaron Pashdale made some big carries as they worked downfield and after Ramsey conceded a string of penalties the defence was stretched and Ben Pugh forced his way over the line for his second of the day. Sculthorp converted and reduced the Ramsey lead to 31-19.
That effort however seemed to take it out of Dukinfield and with ten to play they were struggling. Ramsey made the most of this. Jake Richmond ran back an attempted clearance, Meechan was on his shoulder and he drew in the defence before popping to Brandon Atchison to score. Three from the end Ramsey replacement Ross Quayle bulldozed his way over the line for the final try of the afternoon which Dan Kelly converted.
