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English relishing tough conditions at Barrow

Rams prop Matty English can’t wait to go to Barrow on Sunday, saying the worse the conditions the better, as the 20 year old loves the rough and tumble of Cumbria’s harsh weather.

English, who has only recently joined the Rams, has so far settled into the club well, and has played a major part in Dewsbury’s good start to the season.

He said on the trip to Barrow on Sunday: “Cumbrian sides are always the same, tight little grounds, not much space to play in, horrible pitches and it normally rains. Plus you have to factor in the long journeys and they always like the home advantage, it just makes it one of the toughest places in the country to go to.

“It’s always wet and muddy up there, I don’t think the sun ever shines up in Cumbria, but I love those sorts of days and pitches. The game is all played at one speed and as a centre you prefer that, you can store your energy and put some big hits in. I can’t wait to get up there and to play at Barrow, I’m really looking forward to the game.”

English was chosen as the man of the match after the win against the Swinton Lions last Sunday, a victory which puts them fourth in the Betfred Championship and means the Rams have now won three games out of their first four fixtures.

On the game against Swinton English commented: “It was a really physical game and Swinton came out to bash us about a little bit, it was good to get out there and get my first victory for the Rams at home.

“It feels great to get out and play in front of nearly a thousand people and I am enjoying my time at the club so far. I’m only a young lad and every game I play I am still learning the ropes, but games like today is why I came into the sport.

“They are such a great bunch of lads at this club and that sort of performance shows that we are as one and that we play for the shirt and for each other.

“I thought the likes of Aaron Brown and Toby Everett were brilliant in there with me today, we all play as a team and help each other out. Neil spoke about going forward more at half time so we in the middle tried to lay a platform for those outside backs to go and score the tries.

“Keeping the oppostion to zero points is the most important score in Rugby League, we did that against Swinton and hopefully we can do that again when we go up to Barrow on Sunday.”

After keeping a close eye on Dewsbury’s progress over the last few seasons, he now wants to see the club go one step further and achieve even bigger things this year.

He said: “I want us to compete and I want us to go to the bigger sides and compete, I want us to challenge the likes of the Leigh and Toronto and put them under pressure. We are Dewsbury and we are going to give them a game.

“I’m a local lad and have always kept an eye on results and every season they do ok but just not enough to achieve what they could have. I’m hoping this season will be different for the club, hopefully we can go one step further.

“I don’t know if I’ve made a big difference by coming in to the club, I just give my all every week and hope its good enough.

“It’s a bit early yet to be looking at the table, however a good start sets you up nicely for the rest of the season and now we just have to make sure we push on and give it our all. However to get three wins from four is a very good start indeed.”