Bramald banking on stability after taking over from Eaton at Hawks

Matt Bramald has stepped up from assistant to team boss after Barry Eaton’s departure and will take charge when Hawks visit Featherstone Rovers for the Gareth Swift memorial match tomorrow (3pm).

“It’s an opportunity to look at where the players are,” Bramald said.

“Things are not going to change drastically.

“I have got very similar ideas and philosophies, broadly, to how Baz plays.

“I just want to see if they are picking up on our structures and things we’ve practiced in pre-season.

“It is another stepping stone towards the competitive games. Baz had his ideas and mine are similar, but I will put my own little spin on it.”

Ayden Faal, an off-season signing from Batley, is still ruled out following shoulder surgery and Brooke Broughton (knee) will also miss tomorrow’s game.

Rovers coach Jon Sharp is relishing seeing recruits Kyle Briggs and Danny Craven make their first appearance of pre-season.

He said: “I have been really impressed with both of them (in training), their level of skill and ability with ball in hand. I am looking forward to getting them in the team and seeing where we are.”