By Rowan Sykes

The University of Huddersfield Blue Ghosts Rugby League team are looking for revenge this year at Lockwood Park as they are preparing to take on the University of Bradford’s Rugby League in this year’s Varsity matchup. Last season the team fell short 36-20 at the home of the Bradford Bulls Odsal. And for the first time they will be going head-to-head in three games of 9-a-side. This highly anticipated best of three clash will kick off at 1:30pm.  

Ben Cawte-Davey, Captain of the Blue Ghosts, and Oliver Brown, Sports Development Officer, have both shared their feelings heading into the matchup, especially with this being the sides first game as a group. 

 “It’s definitely something I have been keeping in the back of my mind as captain” Ben Says. 

“They all have come from a background of playing rugby, so I’m confident they know what the game is like and what is physically demanded of them.” 

This is no regular game though and as captain Ben knows this, “It will be a big shock to them, Uni rugby, Varsity, a big event, hopefully they can step up” 

Oliver shared that it will be the job of the veteran players of the side to help the newer recruits in their first game for the university, “It just falls onto the shoulders of the more experienced players to guide them through the games.”  

But, even with them not playing a single fixture this season the side have been training hard under the watchful eye of coach Tim Jones, to give them the best possible opportunity to right the wrongs of last year’s result.  

“We have worked more on the technical side, looking at our plays, our moves, making sure that the finer details of our game are put in place”, Ben described.   

Whilst Oliver praised the players fitness levels during their preparations for Varsity but stated that it is not the only quality required to win the game. “What wins you the game is effort, so you can do whatever you want in training it’s about what you do on the day that counts.” 

Ben will be competing in his last Varsity match as captain of the side this Wednesday after suffering back-to-back defeats during his time at the university, he has spoken about how important it is to have the home advantage against their bitter rivals. “You feel at home, you feel better, it’s just a better place to go.”  

So, make sure to get down to Lockwood Park on Wednesday and support the Blue Ghosts in their push to regain their Varsity crown.