Worrying sight as second player stretchered from St James’ Park during Magic Weekend

Josh McAllister
Jack Croft, News Images

Photo by Gareth Evans/News Images.

It was yet another worrying sight inside St James’ Park as Jack Croft was stretchered from the field against Leigh in the second half.

Play was stopped for 10 minutes in the opening game of day two as teams underwent their own sessions to remain ready to resume play, with 23:08 still left on the clock.

Croft, 22, was only featuring in his second game for Wakefield following his return from Australia on a deal until the end of the current campaign.

The centre had been plying his trade with Wynnym Manly Seagulls after leaving the club at the end of 2022, having failed to reach an agreement to extend his contract at Bell Vue.

However, the Wakefield academy product returned earlier in May to help revive the side’s struggling season. He made his return against Catalans in Perpignan. 

Wakefield fell to their 14th straight defeat of the 2023 Super League season with a 30-4 score against Adrian Lam’s Leopards.

Jack Croft sent to hospital

Providing an update post-match, Wakefield head coach Mark Applegarth said: “Jack Croft is at hospital now getting some scans and that.

“When we know more, we’ll provide an update. I think he landed wrong in a tackle.”

James Batchelor issues positive update

James Batchelor was stretched from the field during the opening game of 2023 Magic Weekend between Hull KR and Salford.

The back-rower was sent to hospital for a precautionary scan on a neck injury.

The 25-year-old left the action 25 minutes in to their Magic match against Salford after being knocked out when making a tackle.

Batchelor has since provided a positive update via social media.

He wrote: “Thanks for the messages everyone, cleared at the hospital and on the way home now.

“Just took a leaf out of Sam Luckley’s book and tried making Magic Weekend all about me.”

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