Trio doubtful for final game

DEWSBURY Rams bring the curtain down on an interesting season this Sunday when play-off bound Sheffield Eagles visit Tetley’s Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

The Rams will finish seventh in the Co-operative Championship, a marked improvement on last term, but they will be keen to sign off with a win against a side who are harbouring hopes of reaching a second successive Grand Final.

Centre Ayden Faal (hand) and prop Steve Crossley (broken collar bone) are yet to play under interim coach Paul Broadbent and both are rated as extremely doubtful for Sunday’s final game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Winger Austin Buchanan captained the Rams in Broadbent’s first game in charge but he limped off against Batley on August 12 and was ruled out of the following game against Hunslet Hawks and he too looks set to miss Sunday’s match.

Perhaps the main topic of conversation among Rams supporters will be next Wednesday’s Fans Forum, when the new permanent coach will be revealed.

The Rams have had a superb response to the job with interest from some coaches with Super League experience but it has not yet been decided who the new boss will be and chairman Mark Sawyer is appealing to supporters to attend Wednesdays meeting when further announcements will also be made.

Broadbent is certainly in the frame to be in charge next season after guiding Dewsbury to a 34-22 victory at Hunslet a fortnight ago, while they also pushed Batley close in their previous game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Broadbent has enjoyed his initial month with the Rams and is hoping they can sign off in style, saying: “The aim is for the guys to have a final strong hit out against Sheffield, we want to finish the season on a positive.

“Sheffield have plenty to play for and will come at us all guns blazing but we will focus on the last game and if we turn up with a good attitude we can go away with credibility.”

Speaking of the injured trio, Broadbent added: “All three are valuable and give something to the side but if they are injured there is nothing you can do and it would give the opportunity for someone else to come in.”

After the final whistle the entire Rams squad, including the injured players, will get chance to thank supporters and everyone is then invited into the Royal Suite, free of charge, for the player of the year presentations.