Page 34 - Rugby League World (February 2020)

DEWSBURY RAMS

RLW PREDICTS: 11th

One thing Lee Greenwood will hope his squad and his recruitment.
for from this season is that it isn’t as Young talent like Sam Moorhouse, Morgan
challenging as the last. Punchard and Will Oakes have all been
Greenwood took on an unenviable task brought in to help feed Greenwood’s
last season. Joining the club deep into the craving to unearth new talent.
off-season with an incomplete squad and He himself admits that some will work
most free agents snapped up, he had to and some will not, as was proven last
complete his squad using unproven and year. But 2019 saw Tom Garratt, among
unheard of talent. others, emerge from the amateur game
Yet they survived the season, staying and become a success, and if the Rams
up despite the mean demands of the can have similar success stories to go
competition. alongside their better-known players, it
It wasn’t always pretty but the fact the has the makings of a promising year.
Rams got the job done shouldn’t be Like many other clubs, their home form
underestimated. will prove to be key. The Rams almost
Now, with the coach and the players dispatched with Toronto early on in 2019
having a full year under the belt to but they only picked up seven points at
acclimatise to the Championship, they’re the Tetley’s Stadium all season.
in a much better position to move up the To better that record, they will stress
table and away from the relegation zone. the importance of ensuring leads don’t
They have a stronger squad for starters. dissipate into thin air. No club in the
Chris Annakin and Matty Fleming Championship dropped as many points
add genuine quality while Jon Magrin, from winning positions than Dewsbury
Jason Walton and Dom Speakman add did last season, with the Rams seeing
Championship know-how. many impressive wins ruined in the final
But for every senior signing there is a quarter of games. If they can sort that out,
project. Greenwood’s background of working they’ve got a chance of being this year’s
and developing youngsters is evident within surprise package.
2020 SQUAD: STAR PLAYER COACH

1 Joe Martin
2 Andy Gabriel
3 Adam Ryder
4 Matty Fleming
5 Will Oakes
6 Paul Sykes
7 Liam Finn
8 Frazer Morris
9 Dom Speakman
10 Tom Garratt
11 Jason Walton
12 Michael Knowles
13 Chris Annakin
14 Sam Day
15 Liam Johnson
16 Connor Scott
17 Martyn Reilly Like his squad, Lee Greenwood will be
18 Davey Dixon It came as a genuine surprise when Chris much better off for last year.
19 Sonny Esslemont Annakin decided to make the move back With a better knowledge of his squad,
20 Morgan Punchard to his hometown club. the competition and himself, the former
22 Luke Nelmes The 28-year-old has spent nine England winger will hope the opportunity
seasons at Wakefield, making almost to test himself again will see more
23 Jon Magrin
80 appearances in that time and going recognition for the work he did last year.
24 Tommy Brierley
against the toughest there is to face. Those around him will say he is hard to
25 James Thornton He will add some much-needed talent please, but he’s also earning a reputation
29 Rhys Davies to the Dewsbury pack. While not the for identifying potential and then
30 Sam Moorhouse biggest, he brings good ball skills and a unearthing it.
work ethic that won’t go unnoticed. He’ll look to enhance that this year.

PAGE 34 RugbyLeague ISSUE #466 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @RLWORLD
WORLD