Championship: Dewsbury Rams v Halifax Panthers LIVE

Nervy start from both sides as Jacob Hookem just about avoids making an error from the kick off. The Rams complete their set and Greg Eden similarly avoids making a mistake. Fax complete their set but they are then adjudged offside and the Rams have the ball on half way.

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We are underway!

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And here they are! Fax are out first, closely followed by the Rams! The Championship season for these two sides is nearly upon us!

There will be some sibling rivalry this afternoon as Dewsbury's Curtis Davies comes up against twin brother Connor Davies who signed for Halifax from Dewsbury ahead of the 2024 campaign! Will be interesting to see them two do battle!

Both sides have completed their pre-match warm-up routines and are applauded off. Kick off is about five minutes away.

Fax's defence of their 1895 title didn't last very long as they were knocked out at the group stage. However, they are still in the Challenge Cup after wins against Whitehaven, Hammersmith Hills Hoists and York Acorn. Next up, Catalalans Dragons at The Shay this time next week!

The date of Dewsbury's last competitive game in 2024, as York Knights knocked them out of the Challenge Cup. That followed on from two defeats in the 1895 Cup at the hands of Keighley Cougars and Bradford Bulls. How will they cope physically against the Panthers this afternoon?

And this is how Halifax line up:

Woodburn-Hall, Saltonstall, McComb, Tibbs, Eden, Jouffret, Keyes, Tangata, Inman, Larroyer, Kavanagh, Gee, C Davies

Interchanges: Widdop, Fairbank, Lannon, O Davies

This is how Dewsbury line up this afternoon:

O’Connor, Whiteley, Greensmith, M Walker, Carr, Hookem, Turner, Beckett, Davies, Bibby, Garside, Dawson, Collinson

Interchanges: Rush, Billington, J Walker, Hird

Whoever was in charge of the fixture generator ahead of this new Championship season definitely had a cheeky smile on their face when determining the first round of games!