Wilkes ready to give Wildcats a Leigh shock

Leigh forward Oliver Wilkes is hoping that the Centurions can demonstrate just how far they have progressed in recent years, when they face Wakefield in the Challenge Cup sixth round this weekend.

Wilkes, 35, is a former Wildcat who last played for Wakefield in 2013. Trinity have lost their last 11 Super League games, but Wilkes is taking nothing for granted.

“Obviously it’ll be a great achievement to show how far Leigh have come,” he said.

“It’s going to be a tough game, especially with them in their own backyard. I know what it’s like to win there and nobody likes to go to Wakefield.

“It’s a traditional ground where the fans are right on top of you. It’ll be very interesting.”

Wilkes also knows that a Cup tie is always a one-off, with the result determined by which team turns up with the better atttidue on the day.

“It’s a Challenge Cup tie, so it’s whoever turns up with their A game on the day who will come away with the spoils,” he said.

“Form is temporary, class is permanent. Wakefield have a good squad, and they started really well. Unfortunately for them they’ve been battered by injuries so they’ve found it really difficult to get any momentum.

“They’ve had a few high-scoring games recently, but they’ve been on the wrong side of the scorelines.”