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Team News - 17 to Face RhinosHead Coach, Dave Plange has named his starting line up to face his old team Leeds Rhinos, this is DaveÆs first trip back across the Pennines to Headingley in charge of the Wolves. 1. Lee Penny 28. Danny Halliwell 34. Ben Westwood 11.Darren Burns 26. Dave Alstead 33. Nat Wood 6. Lee Briers 10. Dale Laughton 9. Jon Clarke 8. Mark Hilton 18. Nick Fozzard 15. Paul Marquet 13. Sid Domic Subs: 16. Jerome Guisset 21. Paul Wood 24. Paul Noone 22. Kevin Crouthers
Head to Head: Wolves v RhinosThursdayÆs game will be a fight between animals, Rhinos against Wolves. Leeds had an excellent last match against Wakefield managing to pull back a small but significant lead however the Wolves were less successful against Wigan but ThursdayÆs match is open to either team. Who will meet head to head? The WolvesÆ Nick Fozzard and the RhinosÆ Barrie McDermott had a clash as they fought for Yorkshire and Lancashire, leading to a frustrating time in the sin-bin for both. Will they see this as an opportunity for a replay or a way of getting their own back? Fozzard has incredible stamina, pace and strength but he adds aggression to the Wolves, will this be his winning contribution to the match? McDermott is said to be a leaner player this year, so will he use a æLean mean fighting machineÆ attitude to help him score in the crucial moments as he has done in the past? WarringtonÆs Nathan Wood will face LeedsÆ Rob Burrow who plays scrum half. Burrow is classed as a surprise package so the Wolves will have to watch out. His debut was against Warrington in 2001. Nathan Wood is one of WarringtonÆs new players who, along with Westwood only had their home debut recently. The Wolves will use his knowledge and experience as an excellent weapon against the Rhinos. The WolvesÆ young new player Ben Westwood will fight off LeedsÆ Chev Walker with his enthusiasm. This match will be an excellent opportunity for this exciting young player. If we look at the whole picture it is clear to see that Leeds have a head start owing to their reasonably high position on the league table but the Wolves will come out in fighting form ready to give Leeds their toughest match ever. Will the Wolves manage to improve their position with their new weapons out on the pitch?
Squad to face the RhinosHead Coach, Dave Plange has named his training squad for the game on Thursday against Leeds Rhinos at Headingley. Plange will name the final 17 later in the week. Lee Penny Dave Alstead Danny Halliwell Ben Westwood Rob Smyth Kevin Crouthers Sid Domic Lee Briers Dale Laughton Nat Wood Paul Wood Darren Burns Mark Hilton Nick Fozzard Jerome Guisset Paul Noone Jon Clarke Graham Appo Tommy OÆReilly Paul Marquet Leon Felton, Leroy Rivett, Matt Sturm and Steve Maden will feature in the Senior Academy this week. Dean Busby has been sidelined for another week through injury, but has returned to full training.
Team News - Round 16Head Coach, Dave Plange has named a 19-man squad to face Wigan Warriors on Saturday 29th June 2002, 19:05. 26. Dave Alstead 2. Rob Smyth 11. Darren Burns 34. Ben Westwood 28. Danny Halliwell 6. Lee Briers (C) 34. Nat Wood 10. Dale Laughton 9. Jon Clarke 8. Mark Hilton 18. Nick Fozzard 15. Paul Marquet 13. Sid Domic Subs From: 21. Paul Wood 16. Jerome Guisset 1. Lee Penny 24. Paul Noone 22. Kevin Crouthers 14. Tommy OÆReilly Dean Busby, Steve Maden and Matt Sturm are back in full training but have not been selected for this weekÆs clash. Kevin Crouthers returns to selection after spending two months with Chorley Lynx in a bid to prove that he is of Super League status. Paul Noone has returned from a recent stint at Chorley Lynx. Tommy OÆReilly is doubtful after suffering a reoccurring foot injury during the London clash last weekend.
Wolves v Warriors - Head to Head
SaturdayÆs game against Wigan will be a clash of the physical as WiganÆs Hodgson comes up against Westwood, who makes his home debut for the Wolves after scoring 2 tries against London at the weekend against London in Carcassonne, France. Hodgson is a fast and elusive winger who can also play centre and has been an important factor in the Wigan line up this season. Westwood is a speedy and strong runner, who is set for future stardom, brought in to strengthen the WolvesÆ centres which has been greatly effected by injury and players leaving the club. Westwood and Hodgson where recently team mates in the last Origin game at Headingley, Hodgson starting and Westwood on the bench. SaturdayÆs game sees them go head to head with the intention of coming out on top, a clear winner. Westwood has a lot to prove in front of the home crowd, there is a lot of expectation resting on the shoulderÆs of the 20 year old, exûWakefield Trinity Wildcats player. Wolves are in need of points; they stand third from bottom on 6 points while their competitorÆs stand in third position on 20 points. A big difference on paper, but how will they compare on the field. Another physical clash will be that of WolvesÆ prop Nick Fozzard and WiganÆs Terry OÆConnor. OÆConnor is a popular front row forward at Wigan who has proved himself to be a powerful force in their defence. Fozzard has been a consistent player for the Wolves this season ever since he exploded on to the scene after a long period out through injury. The two came up against each other in the recent Origin Series; Fozz for Yorkshire and OÆConnor for Lancashire, both played a physical game with Lancashire coming off the better overall. SaturdayÆs game is a rematch, which will come out on top?
SaturdayÆs game against Wigan will be a clash of the physical as WiganÆs Hodgson comes up against Westwood, who makes his home debut for the Wolves after scoring 2 tries against London at the weekend against London in Carcassonne, France. Hodgson is a fast and elusive winger who can also play centre and has been an important factor in the Wigan line up this season. Westwood is a speedy and strong runner, who is set for future stardom, brought in to strengthen the WolvesÆ centres which has been greatly effected by injury and players leaving the club. Westwood and Hodgson where recently team mates in the last Origin game at Headingley, Hodgson starting and Westwood on the bench. SaturdayÆs game sees them go head to head with the intention of coming out on top, a clear winner. Westwood has a lot to prove in front of the home crowd, there is a lot of expectation resting on the shoulderÆs of the 20 year old, exûWakefield Trinity Wildcats player. Wolves are in need of points; they stand third from bottom on 6 points while their competitorÆs stand in third position on 20 points. A big difference on paper, but how will they compare on the field. Another physical clash will be that of WolvesÆ prop Nick Fozzard and WiganÆs Terry OÆConnor. OÆConnor is a popular front row forward at Wigan who has proved himself to be a powerful force in their defence. Fozzard has been a consistent player for the Wolves this season ever since he exploded on to the scene after a long period out through injury. The two came up against each other in the recent Origin Series; Fozz for Yorkshire and OÆConnor for Lancashire, both played a physical game with Lancashire coming off the better overall. SaturdayÆs game is a rematch, which will come out on top? Wolves Sign Up YoungsterThe Wolves have signed Richard Mather, 18 from Leeds Rhinos Academy until the end of the season with a view to extending his contract further. Mather has the ability to play at numerous positions - fullback, stand off, scrum half and wing. Mather has featured in the Yorkshire Academy in the recent U19s Origin Series scoring a try in the second game at Wilderspool. He has also toured Australia and New Zealand with the GB Academy last July. Head Coach, Dave Plange commented, "I've known Richard a while and have kept an eye on his development since leaving Leeds last year. He is a young player with tremendous potential with great attitude towards the game. I believe he will go to the top, the club is looking to take him further in his development. There will be an opportunity for him the gain first team experience at the back end of the season. "By taking him on contract until the end of the season, it gives us the opportunity to satisfy ourselves that he can play at this level, before investing in his future. He looks like the calibre of player that we are looking for here at the Wolves. We are looking for young players to develop and make a strong Warrington over the next few years. He will feature in this week's Academy game against Wigan before the main game." Richard was excited by the offer to play first team, "Warrington came in with an offer to play first team rugby and this was an opportunity that I have craved. I feel that I will bring enthusiasm to the team as I am looking to learn. This is a new experience for me and a big step from Academy. I am just going to do my best and take on board all the advice and experience that I am going to gain at Warrington." Academy Fixture: Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors @ Wilderspool KO: 4.30pm, Saturday 29th June 2002
Wolves Attendance Project Presentation DayThe Wolves will be holding a presentation day for the pupils who attended the "The Warrington Wolves Attendance Project", this will be held on Saturday 29th June before the Wolves taken on Wigan Warriors. The event will start at 4:00pm with members of the press invited to attend from 5:00pm. The presentation is to celebrate the pupils finishing "Attendance Project" and also completing their final year at high school. The event will be held in the "Playing for Success" centre at Wilderspool Stadium. There will be a prize giving for all children who have attended and completed the project. Followed by refreshments before kick off of the evening's game. What is the Attendance Project? The Wolves Attendance Project first started in September 2001; it was a joint initiative with Warrington Education Department, Connexions and the European Social Fund. The aim of this project is to improve the attendance record of high school pupils in the Warrington area. The idea is to improve their attendance record through 'the power of sport' which will result in improving their confidence and life skills by being in association with the club. There are four high schools in the Warrington area working within the scheme, William Beamont, Padgate, Penketh and Sir Thomas Boteler, with five pupils attending one day a week at the Playing for Success Centre. The schools participating in the project have noted a 30/40% increase in attendance at school since being involved with the scheme. The pupils have worked on their education, sport and life skills while at the Centre. There have been numerous visits to local amenities within the scheme, which have been organised and booked by the pupils themselves to improve their communication skills and confidence in human interaction. Pupils from the above four high schools had attendance records of between 30-70% during their academic career and this was the reason for them being nominated to attend the project by their respective schools. As a result of this academic year's Attendance project Shaun Chilvers from Penketh High School as been signed to the Wolves Junior Academy team.
Let The Challenge BeginThe Wolves take on Wigan Warriors in Round 16 of Tetley's Super League VII. The Wolves are in need of points having only won three games so far in the campaign. Head Coach, Dave Plange accesses the situation of the upcoming game and last weekend's fixture in Carcassonne, France. "Stuart Raper's influence is now paying dividends for the Wigan outfit and as such, this fixture represents a massive challenge for us. Having said that, I'm sure that the conditions cannot come close to the levels of physical demand placed upon the players in last week's inferno in Carcassonne. It was a pity to have undergone such torture to get back within striking distance only to have the game cruelly sealed in London's favour some six minutes from time. Having said that the players are looking forward to the challenge and are confident of coming up with a committed display over the eighty minutes and if this can be achieved, then I'm sure there will be plenty of excitement for both sets of supporters." Warrington and London saw over 500 fans travel to the South of France for Round 15 to support the team, "I would at this stage like to pay the utmost respect to all of the travelling supporters who ventured out to the south of France. It was a remarkable effort on your part and was very much appreciated by all concerned with the club." This weekend will see the possible return of Warrington's long term injuries, "On the injury front, we are now close to reaching a full strength squad of players with Dean Busby and Lee Penny close to returning to full active condition which of course presents us with selection headaches but I would much rather have these kinds of problems."
Hot in the Cite
The Wolves trip to Carcassonne was big hit with the army of travelling fans from Warrington, but the heatwave in the area caused problems with not just the fans looking for shade on the open terracing but the players on the field. The temperature, even at 7pm in the evening was scorching hot, being reported as in the 90's gave both squads some problems. The subs benches had to be covered with towels to try and shade the players from the sun and extra water carriers were drafted in to help with the constant supply of liquids needed by the players. Match commissioner Ray Tennant also arranged for the game to be played in four quarters with a longer break for half-time to give players and officials much needed rest and recovery time in the sweltering conditions. Wolves coach David Plange commented, "Carcassonne as place is tremendous, the ambience and culture are fantastic but I wouldn't want to subject my players to those kind of conditions again." The Wolves have extended a welcome to the French side to play a friendly next year as part of pre-season preprartions.
The Wolves trip to Carcassonne was big hit with the army of travelling fans from Warrington, but the heatwave in the area caused problems with not just the fans looking for shade on the open terracing but the players on the field. The temperature, even at 7pm in the evening was scorching hot, being reported as in the 90's gave both squads some problems. The subs benches had to be covered with towels to try and shade the players from the sun and extra water carriers were drafted in to help with the constant supply of liquids needed by the players. Match commissioner Ray Tennant also arranged for the game to be played in four quarters with a longer break for half-time to give players and officials much needed rest and recovery time in the sweltering conditions. Wolves coach David Plange commented, "Carcassonne as place is tremendous, the ambience and culture are fantastic but I wouldn't want to subject my players to those kind of conditions again." The Wolves have extended a welcome to the French side to play a friendly next year as part of pre-season preprartions. t color="#F7D608" face="Arial" size=+2>Q&A
Then evening was opened by Supporters' Trust Treasurer Richard Shanks who gave a presentation on the Trust and it's aims and benefits. On the "Top Table" were Coaches David Plange and Paul Darbyshire, Chief Executive Andy Gatcliffe, Board member Peter Carey and players Dean Busby and Jon Clarke. Chief Executive Andy Gatcliffe continued with a presentation on the new stadium. Andy told the room that the stadium would be try and be utilised 365 days of the year to maximise it's use and profit. News of the stadium being used by a "Premier League reserve side and also increasing the actual pitch size by 10 metres means it can be utilised by other sports." "Interior designs for the stadium are being presented to us next week and we will look at them and discuss them then." "We are hoping to break ground in January or February of next year with a 42 week build programme getting us ready for opening for the start of the Super League 9 season." Head Coach David Plange went through the "ins and outs" of the club for this season and finished up with announcing the signing of Leeds and Yorkshire Origin Academy player Richard Mather. The floor was then open to questions to the panel and the Wolves supporters took full advantage. Andy Gatcliffe gave a firm "No" when asked if the club had made an illegal approach for halfback Nathan Wood. Matters concerning the stadium were also at the forefront of some fans questions and whether the development was dependant on Super League status, again there were positive answers from the panel. "The stadium isn't dependant upon Super League status of the club" and David Plange further commented, "Are we going to stay up? Yes!". The name of the proposed stadium was asked about and news of negotiations with "a number of big name companies and big money" were currently being discussed.
Then evening was opened by Supporters' Trust Treasurer Richard Shanks who gave a presentation on the Trust and it's aims and benefits. On the "Top Table" were Coaches David Plange and Paul Darbyshire, Chief Executive Andy Gatcliffe, Board member Peter Carey and players Dean Busby and Jon Clarke. Chief Executive Andy Gatcliffe continued with a presentation on the new stadium. Andy told the room that the stadium would be try and be utilised 365 days of the year to maximise it's use and profit. News of the stadium being used by a "Premier League reserve side and also increasing the actual pitch size by 10 metres means it can be utilised by other sports." "Interior designs for the stadium are being presented to us next week and we will look at them and discuss them then." "We are hoping to break ground in January or February of next year with a 42 week build programme getting us ready for opening for the start of the Super League 9 season." Head Coach David Plange went through the "ins and outs" of the club for this season and finished up with announcing the signing of Leeds and Yorkshire Origin Academy player Richard Mather. The floor was then open to questions to the panel and the Wolves supporters took full advantage. Andy Gatcliffe gave a firm "No" when asked if the club had made an illegal approach for halfback Nathan Wood. Matters concerning the stadium were also at the forefront of some fans questions and whether the development was dependant on Super League status, again there were positive answers from the panel. "The stadium isn't dependant upon Super League status of the club" and David Plange further commented, "Are we going to stay up? Yes!". The name of the proposed stadium was asked about and news of negotiations with "a number of big name companies and big money" were currently being discussed.
