Newsome Panthers are still top of the Yorkshire Men’s Rugby League Premier Division after six matches – winning five and losing one.
Last time out they beat King Cross Park 28-16 and although it was a convincing win for Hawkyard’s men, the experienced player/coach doesn’t want his side to take their foot off the gas.
He said: “It is great we are in this position and that we have won five games. The loss to Fryston Warriors was disappointing but it gave us a kick up the backside and made the lads realise that if they aren’t on it, they will get beat.
“We have seen some interesting results lately with Doncaster and Fryston both losing games to sides lower in the league. So when lads are shocked in the WhatsApp group it’s a reminder to them that this is what can happen.
“We play Doncaster Toll Bar at the Eco-Power Stadium on June 11. It’s a curtain raiser as Doncaster RLFC take on Rochdale Hornets in their League One game. It’s a good chance for our lads to play in a stadium like that so it’s quite exciting.”
One frustration for Hawkyard is that Newsome’s league cup match against Brighouse has been moved to Thursday June 15, a date Hawkyard isn’t impressed with.
He added: “It is a quarter-final tie and Brighouse couldn’t play the original date and said this is the date they can now play the match. They wanted to play it this weekend but it’s Magic Weekend in Super League and my lads have booked time away as no one was playing anyway.
“To rearrange it for June 15 is quite frustrating though, especially with trying to arrange lads to play after they’ve worked all day.
“We won’t use that as an excuse, though. We are out to win the game and put out a strong team so we’ll play the game and hopefully win it.”
