Last Chance for Wakefield

Tonight sees one of the biggest games in the history of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. Defeat tonight against Bradford will condemn the Wildcats to relegation the National League.






The appointment of John Kear has lifted the Wildcats into at least a salvagable position, after looking certain to fall through the trap door five weeks ago. Victories over Castleford and Catalans have since given them at least some control over their own destiny. With teams above them in the relegation mire playing each other, a victory at Odsal tonight as well as a result against Castleford on the last day of the season will give them a fighting chance of avoiding trips to Whitehaven, Halifax and Batley next season.

The Wildcats have been odds-on for relegation for some time given their daunting looking run-in. For the final seven games of the season they had been drawn against Leeds Rhinos, St Helens and Bradford twice, whereas the teams above them have had perceivably easier games.

But tonight, past form will count for little. The basic fact is that if Wakefield lose, they will go down. They will take confidence from previous encounters with Bradford, where in 2005 they did the double against the Bulls and the men from Belle Vue are well known for raising their game against the bigger sides.
Wakefield do have a talented side. The likes of Rooney and Jefferies can create play from nothing, Ryan Atkins will want to prove a point against his old club and the Wildcats pack, containing David Solomona and Michael Korkidas are capable of holding their own against the Bradford front six.

This is sure to be a pulsating contest. Wakefield are fighting for their livelihoods tonight. I'd go as far as saying that they'll win tonight, setting up a superb last day finale.