Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

[Druzik]

All news related to Wakefield here.

[Druzik]

www.superleague.co.uk/report.php?id=3086281

Wakefield Wildcats withstood a Catalans fightback at Belle Vue to condemn the Dragons to a fourth defeat in five games.

The hosts saw their lead pegged back to two points shortly before half-time, but they reasserted their control in the second half to banish any doubt over the result.

The Wildcats were bolstered by the return from injury of scrum-half Danny Brough, hooker Tevita Leo-Latu and winger Aaron Murphy, who scored the last of his side’s five tries on his first appearance of the season.

They edged the first half thanks to tries from centre Sean Gleeson and stand-off Tony Martin in the first 15 minutes, both converted by Martin, which put them in the driving seat.

But Wakefield winger Damien Blanch conceded a soft drop-out restart from a speculative kick and the Catalans built pressure from the error for substitute Jean-Phillippe Baile to go in for a try, converted by Thomas Bosc.

Five minutes from the break the visitors got to within two points at 12-10 when when winger Dimitri Pelo crossed wide out to leave the game finely balanced.

However, the Wildcats took charge in the second half with the aid of tries from Blanch and centre Ryan Atkins before the hour mark.

A Martin penalty on 70 minutes and another two minutes from time finally clinched a fourth win of the season that lifted the Wildcats back into the top four before Murphy picked up a loose ball on the hooter to wrap things up.

[Druzik]

Tragedy has struck Wakefield today. One of their players in their reserve team had a heart attack and unfortunately could not be saved.

The Main game has been postponed in the wake of this.

Condolences and prayers to the family involved. Apparently the parents are still driving to south wales and dont know. So no names so far.

A tragic loss.

[Druzik]

www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/09/03/22/RUGBYL_Wakefield.html

WAKEFIELD'S WALKER DIES

Wakefield's engage Super League match against Celtic Crusaders this evening was postponed following the death of one of their reserve players.

Leon Walker, 20, who was in his first season with Wakefield, is thought to have suffered a heart attack during the Wildcats reserves' match against their Crusaders counterparts at Maesteg this afternoon.

Eye witnesses reported the player going awkwardly into a tackle, getting to his feet and playing the ball before then collapsing.

Attempts were made on the field to revive him and the match was abandoned after 63 minutes while he was airlifted to the Morriston Hospital in Swansea, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Rugby Football League took the decision to postpone the Super League match between the two clubs, which was due to be shown live on Sky Sports.

Initially no reason was given for the decision, other than "unforeseen circumstances", because the player's parents had not been informed.

Tonight Wakefield chairman Ted Richardson said: "This is a tragic loss for all involved within rugby league.

"Clearly everybody at the club is devastated by this news and all our sympathies and prayers are with his family at this time."

RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said: "This is truly shocking and tragic news and our heartfelt condolences go to the parents, family and friends of Leon as well as the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats club.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those involved at this devastating time."

Walker joined the Wildcats from Salford City Reds on a one-year deal in November.

The second row or loose forward joined Salford from Leeds amateur club Churwell Chiefs and during his three years with the Manchester club earned representative honours at academy level with Yorkshire and England in 2007.

Today's death is the latest in a series of tragedies to hit the Wakefield club in the last 10 months.

The Wildcats players have dedicated this season to the memory of popular prop forward Adam Watene, a Cook Island international who collapsed and died of a heart attack during a weight training session in October at the age of 31.

The club were already mourning the sudden death of Great Britain and Wakefield legend David Topliss, who collapsed during a five-a-side football match in June at the age of 58.

And the club also lost two members of their 1968 Challenge Cup final team during 2008.

In August Don Fox, who was the Lance Todd Trophy winner in their Wembley defeat by Leeds, lost his long battle with illness and in December centre Ken Hirst passed away.

In addition, prop forward Richard Moore has yet to play this season after being diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and only last month stand-off Jamie Rooney revealed his heart stopped for 30 seconds during routine knee surgery and he had to be resuscitated.

Wakefield's next scheduled match is against St Helens at Belle Vue on Friday and a decision is expected to be made tomorrow on whether it will go ahead.

[HKR AWAY DAYS]

The whole of British RL is shocked and saddened by the news. This hits us all, being the RL family we are. RIP.

[Druzik]

Mar 24, 2009 0:28:31 GMT 10 HKR AWAY DAYS said:

The whole of British RL is shocked and saddened by the news. This hits us all, being the RL family we are. RIP.

I know mate, TRL, LU and rleage went into overdrive with with sympathy last night. I hear the Dewsbury team knew him and heard coming abck from the Blackpool match and were deeply shocked and effected too.

I hope that next week there willl be a minutes silence not only through the british ranks but farnce and australia as well... we all may be 16,000 km appart but we are all one big family.

[England 3 Lions]

Very sad. Shocking too. I hope the RFL offer him a wonderful tribute at his funeral.

[Druzik]

Interview with Leon Wal;kers dad.

news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7964517.stm

Its just sad what happened, I think each ESL and Championship match will be having a minutes silence this weekend.

[Druzik]

www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=13515

RFL Statement Leon Walker (Wakefield Wildcats)
Friday 27th March 09

RFL Statement – Post-mortem into the death of Leon Walker (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats)

The post-mortem into the death of the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats player Leon Walker has now been completed.

The results have shown that the death was not caused by trauma or any injury sustained as a result of playing Rugby League but a confirmed cause of death has yet to be fully established.

A coroner’s inquest has now been opened and adjourned by the relevant agencies in the South Wales area.

The funeral of Leon Walker will take place on Thursday 2nd April 2009 at St Anthony’s Church, Old Lane, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 7AA.

It will begin at 12.45pm.

[jim]

www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=15185

Wakefield promote young Wildcats

Friday 28th August 09

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have promoted seven of their academy youngsters into their engage Super League squad for 2010.

Danny Cowling, 17, James Davey, 19, and 18-year-olds Dale Morton, Russ Spiers, Matt Wildie, Kyle Trout and Matt King have all been given full-time two-year contracts.

Davey and Morton have both made engage Super League appearances this season, with winger Morton scoring on his full debut in the 40-28 win at Warrington last week.

Wildcats coach John Kear said: “It is an indication of the direction the club has taken over the last three years whereby we have employed home-grown talent and local players.

“It's a tribute to our talent identification, recruitment and player development systems and structures we have in place at the club.”

The youngsters will join new signings Terry Newton, Shane Tronc and Glenn Morrison at Belle Vue as the Wildcats prepare for Super League XV.

[jim]

Aug 29, 2009 12:45:14 GMT 10 jim said:

www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=15185

Wakefield promote young Wildcats

Friday 28th August 09

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have promoted seven of their academy youngsters into their engage Super League squad for 2010.

Danny Cowling, 17, James Davey, 19, and 18-year-olds Dale Morton, Russ Spiers, Matt Wildie, Kyle Trout and Matt King have all been given full-time two-year contracts.

Davey and Morton have both made engage Super League appearances this season, with winger Morton scoring on his full debut in the 40-28 win at Warrington last week.

Wildcats coach John Kear said: “It is an indication of the direction the club has taken over the last three years whereby we have employed home-grown talent and local players.

“It's a tribute to our talent identification, recruitment and player development systems and structures we have in place at the club.”

The youngsters will join new signings Terry Newton, Shane Tronc and Glenn Morrison at Belle Vue as the Wildcats prepare for Super League XV.

I played with Wildie for about 10 games, he is a great young player and I hope he goes really well. Hopefully will be challenging for a five eight spot this year.

I still remember the hit he put on when I was playing with him, it was on a representative front rower that was about 6ft4" and he lifted him off the ground with a shoulder charge that would put Sonny Bill to shame.