DEWSBURY Rams face what will probably be the biggest challenge in their Northern Rail Cup group when they meet Halifax at The Shay on Sunday (3pm).

Halifax are desperate to win trophies this time as they seek a Super League franchise. Leigh are also in the group but they have to visit the Rams so Sunday’s trip should be the toughest fixture and a good gauge of how far Dewsbury have come in the last 12 months.

They can look back at excellent performances at Sheffield and Barrow in cup games last season when they were desperately unlucky to be beaten in both, especially the latter.

Rams’ coach Warren Jowitt said: “In those games we matched teams who were in a higher division. But that is forgotten, we have to settle into our own style this time and make an impact.

“It was a relief to get in a game against London last Sunday and we had some good moments. The groundsman had again done an excellent job. It was firm but comfortable to play on and there were some good skills on show.

“We did everything to the letter in the first half but in the second we fell away from what we had been doing so well.

“That isn’t good enough, we have to be able to concentrate for the full 80 minutes. We can’t afford to come away from the game plan and slacken off because good teams will punish us. But it was our first competitive game and we will learn.”

Stand-off Pat Walker came off early with a dislocated finger but has been able to train this week and will come into the reckoning. Rob Spicer struggled a bit with the leg injury that has been troubling him but should be fit.

Jowitt felt all the players had done well last weekend and mentioned in particular the front three of Keegan Hirst, Mike Emmett and Anthony England, while Andy Robinson had a big effect when he came off the bench. His 35-yard try delighted everyone and Jowitt may have been serious when he remarked: “I used to run 80 yards but I was a pacy second row and only went to prop when I came to Dewsbury.”

The coach also praised Dominic Brambani for some clever touches and the all-round effort of Adam Hayes.

England’s sending off after a flare-up in the closing minutes, which also saw two London players sent off, will be considered by the RFL’s disciplinary committee next Tuesday.

There are claims he reacted to being gouged and a touch judge was running onto the field when the incident blew up. The club say the video evidence on the events is clear. This was the first time England has been sent off and he has never been sin-binned, all of which should work in his favour.

Sunday’s game will bring back memories for Jowitt as a league match at Halifax was his first in charge in May, 2008, during his trial period before he was given the job on a permanent basis.