DEWSBURY Rams will have Liam Crawley, Andy Bostock and Alex Bretherton back in contention for the Co-operative Championship One game against Swinton at Tetley’s Stadium on Sunday (3pm).
It is only Dewsbury’s second home game in the last seven week
s and the club are hoping the fans will respond to a side with an outstanding 11 wins out of 11 to their credit and the best points difference in the division by more than 200 from any other club.
The lack of home games with bills to pay makes it difficult financially and that £50,000 for finishing top of the table is a big incentive.
Crawley, Bostock and Bretherton were omitted from the game at London last Sunday when the Rams scored 11 tries but still didn’t completely satisfy their ‘Mr Grumpy’, coach Warren Jowitt, who was critical of handling mistakes and penalties conceded in the first 25 minutes when London had the upper hand. Perhaps the time to worry is when their coach is happy.
Jowitt observed: “There were times when we put ourselves under unnecessary pressure and we can’t afford to do that on Sunday because Swinton gave us a big test at their place in May.
“London included some players on loan from Harlequins, including a couple of props, and were a better side than when we met them at home. But to leave out three quality players and still come up with 64 points indicates our strength in depth and I was pleased that we again prevented them from scoring a point.
“Taron Wildey had a massive game, he was outstanding in attack and defence and gave us the right lead all round.”
New signing Loz Wildbore came on as a substitute and played in three positions, full-back, stand-off and loose forward and collected two tries.
Jowitt commented: “He played very well in each position and looks a good acquisition. I’m hoping to keep him for next year.”
Jamie Lockwood came off the bench for the second successive game and this time had an extended run-out. Jowitt enthused: “He is going to be a very good player. It’s a big jump from the Yorkshire League to this level and he had a lot of game time at London and did well. He has a very good attitude, trains hard and has a professional mentality. I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t make it.”
Winger Bryn Powell collected a hat-trick of tries at London, his best tally since he scored four against Keighley three years ago.
Jowitt said: “He also set up two tries for people out wide and one for Liam Finn. He’s been talking about making the tries all week.”
The 10 goals by Pat Walker took his tally for the season to exactly 100 while Finn’s try means he has scored in nine of the 11 league games to date.
While the Rams could reach the 500 points mark this weekend - they are on 484 - they are still a very difficult side to score against and have conceded an average of only 11 points a match, which is exceptional.
Swinton are regarded as a threat.
