Old home's life goes on (From Warrington Guardian)

Old home's life goes on

WILDERSPOOL Stadium's life will continue as a Rugby League venue for at least one more season.

Warrington Wolves' first team may only have two more friendlies to play there but Wilderspool will continue to be home for under 18s and under 21s Academy matches this year.

Crosfields will play their Challenge Cup third round home tie at Wilderspool and it is expected that Warrington Woolston Rovers will play their second season of National League Three action at the 106-year-old ground too.

At this stage, it is impossible to say who will be playing in the last match at Wilderspool and when it will be played.

The new Halliwell Jones Stadium will be the venue for Wolves' 14 home Super League games and any home Challenge Cup matches but the Guardian understands a settling in period is needed for the turf, hence a restriction on the number of games to take place there in 2004.

The official last first class match at Wilderspool between Wolves and New Zealand A took place in October, 2003, but Paul Cullen's Super League squad have two trial matches still to take place there.

Wolves will entertain Salford City Reds on Sunday, February 1, kick-off 3pm, in a match in which Cullen plans to field his new signings Mike Forshaw, Danny Lima, Chris Leikvoll and John Wilshere.

Then on Saturday, February 7, Wolves will face Cambridge University at Wilderspool, kick-off 2pm. This match will be played as Lee Penny's Testimonial game. Penny, who was released by Wolves at the end of last season, did not have a Testimonial game in his time at Wolves.

The following day, Arriva National Conference amateurs Crosfields will meet professional Cumbrian outfit Workington Town at Wilderspool in a Powergen Challenge Cup third round tie which will kick off at 2pm.

Discussions are due to take place shortly as to where Warrington Woolston Rovers will be playing their summer home games this year but Wilderspool was their base last term when they stormed to Grand Final glory and it is understood to be the favourite choice again.

Wolves' Academy fixtures for 2004 have not been announced as yet. It is thought a few under 18s Academy ties may be played as curtain-raisers to Super League matches at the Halliwell Jones Stadium but Wilderspool will be the host in the main.