“A mockery and a shambles” – Mark Applegarth slams pitch debacle

Wakefield Trinity vs Hull KR will go ahead as scheduled on tonight.

The RFL have determined that Friday’s Betfred Super League fixture between Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR can go ahead as scheduled at the Be Well Support Stadium.

An inspection of the playing surface has been conducted, with officials of both clubs present, following issues since the pitch was relaid during the off-season.

An independent consultant confirmed that the playing surface has improved significantly in the 17 days since the Huddersfield fixture on 3 March, and the RFL Board have therefore ruled that the match can go ahead as planned.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds this week, Wakefield boss Mark Applegarth stated that it would have been a “mockery” had the pitch been deemed unfit for use after being played on three weeks ago:

“I’ll be honest with you, I’ve not even thought about it at all. I got asked last week and it’s just one of those things that I’ve not even thought about because I just knew the game would be on.

“It’d just make an absolute mockery and a shambles of everything if it wasn’t on. I can’t say the players have even thought about it, they didn’t even realise that there was a pitch inspection on Monday morning.

“I’d not really mentioned that to them but it’s in good nick. It’s not where you’d want it to be in terms of I think it’s about 65 to 70% grass now.

“I think when we played Huddersfield it was a lot lower than that but I don’t think any sets of players after Friday night will be complaining too much about the field.”