Dewsbury Rams refuse to panic after '˜frustrating' fourth defeat in a row

Rams will try to salvage something from the Easter weekend when they play host to Halifax in the Betfred Championship tomorrow (3pm), three days after an 18-10 derby loss at Batley Bulldogs.

Kelly’s side led at half-time and played downhill in the second period, but a succession of errors allowed Batley back into the game.

The coach is confident his players are good – and hard-working – enough to turn things around, but feels they “self-destructed” from a winning position at Mount Pleasant.

“In the first half our completion rate was more than acceptable,” Kelly said.

“We were 10-6 ahead at half-time and a lot of hard work had created a platform to go on and win the game.

“The players deserve a lot of credit for that, but with a completion rate of 42 per cent in the second half, compounded by the opposition completing at 82 per cent, there was only going to be one result.”

Kelly stressed: “It was not through lack of effort.

“It was basic rugby, all we needed to do was complete some sets and earn some field position and scores will come if you have enough creativity in your team.

“I think we have enough creativity in the team. I expressed my frustration to the players, having watched them work so hard to create an opportunity, then work equally hard to throw it away.

“I am frustrated for the players and I want them to be frustrated.”

Halifax were 30-4 victors against Barrow Raiders on Good Friday. Kelly knows his team have a tough task on their hands, but he insisted: “I am not down, there’s no panic or anything like that.

“We need a win, but our league position is still a healthy one and we are in a tough run of fixtures. We are in a tough league and that’s what we want.

“We have to play well to win and we have to do that for 80 minutes.

“In the first half [on Friday] we played really well, but why do that in the first half if you are going to play equally badly in the second half?”