Dewsbury v West Hull preview: Rams set to face ‘one of best amateur sides in country’ in Challenge Cup this weekend

That is the viewpoint of Rams’ head coach Paul March who insists his side, which got off to a flying start with a 20-12 win in their Championship season-opener at Hunslet last Sunday, can’t be complacent against last season’s NCL Premier champions.

March said: “It is going to be a tough challenge. They are one of the best amateur sides in the country. They don’t play that expansive but they are very clinical in what they do, they will keep going for 80 minutes, they will come out of yardage with hardly any passes and they will kick the ball into corners.

“We will have to make sure that we are patient and match their enthusiasm. If we do that we will win comfortably. If we don’t, it will be a dog fight and it could be anybody’s game.

“We started talking about it straight after the Hunslet game on Sunday. The lads will be ready. We were super happy with last weekend’s win and now we go into West Hull full of confidence.”

Analysing the victory in South Leeds, March said: “We didn’t start right well but we soon sorted that out and came away with the win. We have been working hard in pre-season on our defence and fitness and that showed through.

“We can be more clinical with the ball in hand because we missed a few opportunities but I was pleased overall.

“We had a couple of times where we had to defend three sets on our line and I thought our game management from our halves was second to none. They controlled the full second half.

“Hunslet should have probably taken their penalties in the first half and I think it came back to bite them.”

Praising Bailey O’Connor and Brad Graham, two former Rams stars who have recently returned to the club, March said:

“It just shows that players are wanting to come to Dewsbury even though our budgets are only small. It is about making them feel welcome and enjoying their rugby.

“I think that is one of the main reasons they have both come back. They are going to start repaying on the field for what we have given them.”

Another former player is making great strides in the game with Jimmy Beckett, who moved to Featherstone Rovers during the 2024 season, signing for Super League side Castleford Tigers.

“He deserves a chance,” March said. “He is a workhorse and he was a big standout at Featherstone in a team full of experienced players.

“I know Ryan Carr really well who has taken over at Cas. He speaks very highly of Jimmy and I am very happy he has got his opportunity. The hard work starts now for him in that full time environment.

“I am sure there will be a few more Championship players heading towards Cas and Ryan making them into Super League players.”

Adult tickets for this weekend’s game are priced at £15, with under 18s getting in for free (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult).