Dewsbury Rams: Part-timers put Broncos on full alert

TOMORROW'S VISIT of London Broncos (3pm) is an opportunity for Dewsbury Rams to lay down a marker, coach Neil Kelly says.
Dewsbury Rams coach, Neil Kelly.Dewsbury Rams coach, Neil Kelly.
Dewsbury Rams coach, Neil Kelly.

Rams began their Betfred Championship campaign with a 20-18 win over visitors Sheffield Eagles eight days ago.

London also got off the mark at the first attempt, beating Barrow Raiders 56-12 and Kelly reckons victory over one of the division’s full-time teams would prove Rams mean business.

“It is a good test of our ambitions,” Kelly said.

London Broncos' Dewsbury-born coach, Danny Ward. PIC: London Broncos RLFCLondon Broncos' Dewsbury-born coach, Danny Ward. PIC: London Broncos RLFC
London Broncos' Dewsbury-born coach, Danny Ward. PIC: London Broncos RLFC
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“If we are ambitious it doesn’t guarantee we’ll get the result, but if London go home with the points we expect it will be after a battle.

“If we can beat a full-time team it will be a confidence and morale-booster and it is another two points on the league ladder.”

Kelly reckons both teams will improve on their round-one performance.

He said: “They never looked like they were going to lose, but they didn’t cut loose until the final 20 minutes. They will want to do better and establish their dominance over the part-time team earlier.”

London Broncos' Dewsbury-born coach, Danny Ward. PIC: London Broncos RLFCLondon Broncos' Dewsbury-born coach, Danny Ward. PIC: London Broncos RLFC
London Broncos' Dewsbury-born coach, Danny Ward. PIC: London Broncos RLFC
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London have finished in the top-four in each of the past two seasons.

Former Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers prop Danny Ward, who is from Dewsbury, took over as coach in the closed season and Kelly feels he can maintain their recent improvement.

“You always wonder about the investment in London,” he said. “But on the evidence of last week’s performance, the transition from the last two seasons seems to almost have been seamless. Considering Andy Henderson was coach of the year last year, that’s tribute to Danny Ward.”

Rams will be without Rob Worrincy tomorrow due to work commitments, but full-back Jared Simpson and prop Matty English – both signed on loan from Huddersfield Giants – could make their debuts.