Wizards hoping for Warrington cheer
Warrington Wizards and Huddersfield Underbank Rangers will battle it out to be crowned Co-operative Rugby League Conference National champions in the first game of an exciting triple header at The Co-operative Championships Finals Day on Sunday.
After seeing Warrington Wolves lift the Carnegie Challenge Cup last month the Wizards will be keen to emulate their neighbour’s success when they make the short journey to the Halliwell Jones Stadium for the club’s biggest game in six years.
Wizards’ Player coach Chris Campbell, a former Super League player with Warrington, is establishing himself as one of the brightest young coaches in the game and is delighted with his team’s success.
Chris Campbell said: “We’ve had a number of years when we’ve been there or thereabouts, but we’ve never made it to the big stage until now.
“To reach the Grand Final is an immense achievement for everyone involved and to be playing at the Halliwell Jones Stadium is fantastic.”
“As tenants at the Wolves’ former home, Wilderspool our links run deep and we have a number of former Wolves players in our ranks.
“We’ve followed their success over the last year or so with a great deal of interest, and there’s a real carnival atmosphere in the town especially given the exciting brand of rugby that they play.
“Now it’s our turn to get into the spotlight.”
“We hope the Wolves fans will turn out in force and join our own loyal band of supporters at the Finals Day. The lift they can provide the lads could be a big factor.”
Huddersfield Underbank Rangers will be aiming to make amends for last year’s Grand Final heartbreak when they line up at lunch time on Sunday.
After being on the wrong end of a 38-22 score line against Bramley Buffaloes last year, Rangers will not be short of motivation when they travel over the Pennines.
The side booked their appearance at the showpiece event with a great display over Bramley in the final eliminator last week, eventually running out 24-12 winners, and coach Richard Knight believes his side will arrive full of confidence.
Richard Knight said: “Our win last week was our tenth on the bounce and was also the first time the club has ever won at Bramley.
“Our last defeat was way back in June, ironically against Warrington, but I don’t think either of our meetings with them this season will have an effect on Sunday.
“We go into the game with some Grand Final experience after being there last year and know that if we win we write our name into the history books as no team has ever won the title from fourth place.”