Hawkins bomb shell hits Brods
Old Brodleians have been hit by a hammer blow ahead of Saturday's mouthwatering home North East 1 clash with league leaders Sandal (2.15).
Out of the blue their rangy and skillful back-row forward Ollie Hawkins has informed the club he has quit the game at the age of 26.
Skipper Ollie Akroyd, speaking from a mid-season family break in Lanzarote on Wednesday afternoon, informed Echo Sport that Hawkins had said he couldn't commit anymore.
"He may have other underlying reasons but they haven't surfaced at this moment in time, however, he will be a big loss. It is a real shame as he was playing well and he is one of our bigger and more imposing players, one tailor made for this division.
"In one way it does give the opportunity for others to stake their claims, as we do have a welter of talent coming through at Woodhead.
"Obviously it will be the talking point amongst the players and the supporters for the rest of the week but come Saturday we have a job to do against Sandal.
"With Billingham losing for the first time last Saturday, to Percy Park, and Sandal winning-they now have each lost one-the Wakefield side have gone to the top on points difference.
"With their away support and an expected increase in our support for this one, it is going to be a bumper crowd that witnesses this exciting match.
"We played them two seasons ago at Huddersfield in the Yorkshire Shield when we were a division below them and they play an entertaining style of rugby and I can see now under their coach Jim Kilfoyle, the former Rotherham Titans boss, why they are top.
"They will prefer top of the ground conditions and not what is expected come Saturday after another week of rain.
"I am looking for a repeat of the Pontefract form from out lads when we annihilated them three weeks ago. There is no reason why we cannot in front of our home crowd perform as we did then and take the points and cause the upset of the day.
"So far we have played 11, won five and lost six, which is quite an achievement in this tough league. There are some old timers and some good up and coming youngsters playing in it, and we are just looking for consolidation and to stay in there this time around.
"We will then know what it takes to advance our position next term, and so this season is all about a learning curve and improving week in, week out. Plus, I want to also see a higher level of discipline so we do not concede penalties within kicking range or to set up the opposition on attack."
Prop Calum Thompson will have an outing with the Second XV this weekend to gain more fitness after his back injury.
Long term injury casualties Ben Hoyle and Danny Melia are looking at March for their comebacks, while Adam Standeven could be fit for a January run out after knee surgery.
Team for Saturday: McLaughlin, Morrell, D. Skinner, Willis, Hanson, Steve Shaw, Naz Salama, Akroyd, Holbrough, Scott, Hotham, G. Standeven, A Fowler, M. Hoyle, Marshall. Replacements: A. Skinner, J. Moon, Nalton.
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Weather for Halifax
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
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