HALIFAX coach Karl Harrison is leaving nothing to chance in his side’s bid to retain the Northern Rail Cup.
Harrison’s Cup holders head to fellow Championship side Dewsbury Rams tonight (7.30) as the red-hot favourites to reach the quarter-final stage.
They will again be without inspirational captain Scott Murrell, who suffered a hamstring injury on the eve of his side’s 28-12 Tetley’s Challenge Cup fifth-round defeat at Sheffield Eagles six days ago.
Harrison admits that’s a blow to his side.
But he is hoping a spying mission to Dewsbury on Sunday to watch the Rams secure an 18-10 home Championship triumph against Keighley Cougars will stand Fax in good stead.
“Dewsbury played pretty well that day, so we’re expecting a tough encounter,” reported Harrison. “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, but we’ll be ready for them.
“We were affected by injury at Sheffield, but we weren’t far off, and we’re not using that as an excuse.
“Although we were bitterly disappointed to lose at Sheffield, we’re going to Dewsbury fully expecting to win.”
Dewsbury duo Ben Jones and Aaron Brown face late fitness tests before coach Glenn Morrison can finalise his side to face Halifax.
The pair picked up injuries in last week’s win over the Cougars – Dewsbury’s first victory in five games.
And Morrison is looking for his side to build on that.
“Our second half was really good and it just eases the pressure a bit,” he said. “Halifax hold the Northern Rail Cup and they won’t want to give it up.”
