MARTN Ridyard, our captain, main tactical kicker, marksman off the tee, talisman and chief organiser, has been cleared to play against Midlands Hurricanes at the Vestacare Stadium tomorrow (Sunday), kick-off 3pm.
Riddy went off near the end of Wednesday’s 40-24 win against Workington Town at Boundary Park, but managing director and interim coach Mike Ford has since confirmed that his withdrawal was precautionary and that Ridyard will be ok for the Midlands game, which is the last game of our regular league season and also our last at the Vestacare Stadium after a connection there for 13 years, give or take the odd season or two we had at Bower Fold.
Harvey Wilson and Matty Wilkinson also picked up bumps in the mid-week win. They were due to be assessed last night, but they were named earlier in the 21-man squad for the game, so we can perhaps regard that as a good sign.
Gregg McNally and Jamie Ellis, both of whom are battling to overcome hamstring injuries, are not included, nor is Deane Meadows, who is replaced by Sam Bardsley.
Assistant coach Brendan Sheridan spoke highly of the team’s performance against Workington, given that it was the Roughyeds’ second game in three days, and he paid special tribute to the backroom staff and the way they managed the situation when there was no time for rest, recuperation or full-on preparation.
“Some of the boys were busted,” he said, “but they did a terrific job in the circumstances and a lot of that was down to the backroom staff and the way they coped so well with the situation.”
Ford, Sheridan, players and fans are bound to be interested in the Doncaster v Dewsbury result, but as Ford was quick to point out, the main focus tomorrow has to be on beating Hurricanes. Said Ford:
“We have no control over what happens at Doncaster. First and foremost, we have to play Midlands and our total focus will be on that, believe me. We won 50-16 down at their place, but it was 12-12 at half-time and it needed a very strong game from us in the second half to get on top of them. Since then, they’ve given some good performances and it’s not long ago that they won very well indeed at Doncaster. I’m expecting a tough game tomorrow and we’ll have to be on our mettle.”
If we beat Hurricanes to finish with 27 points, we want Dewsbury to win at Doncaster, in which case we will finish third and Doncaster will come to us in the play-off. If Doncaster win, the reverse would apply and we would go there, but the problem is Dewsbury are already promoted and they may be in party mood.
Talking of the play-off formula, Ford said:
“It gives each team a clear advantage over the side immediately below it and, as such, it has a lot going for it. If things go our way we could be in the final at Boundary Park, but the main thing for now is to beat Hurricanes tomorrow.”
