Hunslet Hawks: Bramald's bracing his troops for a tough encounter at the Raiders

Hawks – who have signed their former player Lee Mapals until the end of the season – won 46-12 at home to Barrow in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup third round, but coach Matt Bramald reckons tomorrow’s away game in Kingstone Press League One (3pm) will be much tougher.

“I think it will be a different type of game,” Bramald predicted.

“Barrow will be a different proposition at home – Cumbrian teams are always tough on their home ground.

“We are going into the game with a level of confidence, but we’re also mindful there are no guarantees. We need to work really hard and be at least as good as we were last time, but we also know they will be better this week. We need to take our chances when they come, that’s what we did in the Cup game.”

Hawks’ campaign began with a defeat at Rochdale Hornets last weekend and Bramald admitted: “Our first three league games are tough, with Rochdale, Barrow and Keighley.

“Hopefully that will stand us in good stead, but we need to get some points out of the first three. If we do lose all three we will be playing catch-up, so we definitely need to get some points on the board. It won’t be panic stations if we don’t, but we’re pretty confident if we get things right we can go up to Barrow and get the win.”