Northern Rail Cup Preview: Dewsbury v Halifax (Thurs, TV)

Dewsbury Rams duo Ben Jones and Aaron Brown face late fitness tests before coach Glenn Morrison can finalise his side to face Halifax in Thursday’s televised Northern Rail Cup clash.

The pair picked up injuries in last week’s 18-10 win over Keighley Cougars – Dewsbury’s first victory in five games.

Morrison said: “Our second half was really good and it just eases the pressure a bit.”

He added: “Halifax hold the Northern Rail Cup and they won’t want to give it up.

“We’ll have to be at our best, but if we are at our best then we know we can compete with most teams.”

Halifax coach Karl Harrison will be without Scott Murrell for Thursday’s match.

Harrison said: “We were affected by injury last week at Sheffield, but we weren’t far off.”

He added: “I went to watch Dewsbury (against Keighley) and they played pretty well. We’re expecting a tough encounter.

“It’s always tough at Dewsbury with it being a small field. When they’re at home they’re a good side, there’s no doubt about that.”