Pre-season '˜mission accomplished' reckons Dewsbury Rams boss Kelly

DEWSBURY RAMS will go into the new Betfred Championship campaign in confident mood after the 24-0 win over Bradford Bulls which completed their pre-season schedule.
Satisfied so far: Dewsbury Rams coach, Neil Kelly.Satisfied so far: Dewsbury Rams coach, Neil Kelly.
Satisfied so far: Dewsbury Rams coach, Neil Kelly.

Boss Neil Kelly insisted he would not read too much into victory over young opposition, from a lower division, in Paul Sykes’ testimonial game, but said it was a case of mission accomplished and Rams have something to build on ahead of the visit of Sheffield Eagles on Friday, February 2.

“There were two things I was looking for,” Kelly said of the game two days ago.

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“One was completion rate when we got the ball. It was difficult conditions, but overall, apart from one or two areas, we did that.

“I was also looking for our defence and we defended resolutely and efficiently all afternoon.

“Bradford’s completion rate was 70 per cent in the first half – which was amazing in the conditions – but they were unable to turn that into any scores because of us and I was quite pleased from that point of view.”

Kelly added: “It was difficult to play a game in the conditions so credit to both sides and there were definitely some positives for us.

“On the face of it there are no injuries, that’s the last pre-season game out of the way and now we have 10 days’ preparation before we play Sheffield in round one.”