Championship Preview: Dewsbury Rams

Last season: 1st (Championship 1)

The Rams face an almighty task in 2010 if they have any hope of matching the achievements of the previous season. Warren Jowitt’s men won all 18 league games, equalling a 33 year old record set by Hull FC, not dropping a single point on their way to the title and an immediate return to the Championship.

Championship 1 player of the year Liam Finn has joined rivals Featherstone but the bulk of the squad that swept all before them in 2009 have remained at the Tetley’s Stadium, ready for their next challenge. Local lads Andy Bostock, Alex Bretherton and Pat Walker attracted the attention of clubs in the Championship and Super League last season and will be keen to enhance their reputations in an increasingly competitive division.

Jowitt has added real strength in depth to his squad who, it has to be said, were extremely fortunate with injuries in 2009. Scrum-half Dominic Brambani, who spent last season in Australia with Hinterland Storm, will fill the gap left by Finn, whilst Luke Menzies, Luke Stenchion and Anthony England will add aggression and size to the Rams pack. Much will be expected from Adyen Faal who has joined from Hunslet and the club will be keen to get the former Leeds academy centre back in action following a hernia operation.

The Rams learnt a harsh lesson about life at this level in 2008, finishing bottom of the pile, with only two wins to their name. However, Jowitt’s appointment towards the end of that ill-fated campaign has breathed new life in to the club, with emphasis placed heavily on fitness, teamwork and workrate – a formula which paid dividends in Championship 1. If the partnership of Walker and Brambani at half-back clicks and if the side can find the right combination in the three-quarters, Dewsbury can feel quietly confident about their chances of competing in the Championship.

Prediction: 10th
Key-Player: Dominic Brambani