WOLVES prop forward Mark Hilton will start his Testimonial year feeling certain that the best of his rugby career is still ahead of him.

The 28-year-old will start his benefit term with a dinner on July 9, with the nightmare of three shoulder reconstructions and three broken arms well and truly behind him now that he has been an ever present in the side since the start of last season.

Hilton said: "I've had a lot of setbacks and I've missed a lot of games. But last year and this season I'm playing the best rugby of my time at the club.

"I've got at least a couple more years left in me. I don't see this as a Testimonial of 10 years I've completed and then I go downhill from there. I can go on from here.

"I've been told all of my career that prop forwards only come into their prime in their late 20s and it's fair comment on my part.

"I did get hampered a lot with injuries when I was aged 21/22 at a time when I thought I was doing well.

"Since then, I've settled down in the game and I'm more relaxed and I think that has helped me on the field. I'm enjoying the game more now and that helps too.

"I had time out in 2001 because my body needed a rest and that made me appreciate the game a little bit more and maybe want to look after my body a little bit better by having some self preservation on the field.

"I've done all that and everything's now going well."

Beast will be organising a small number of quality events for his Testimonial and he hopes supporters will join in to celebrate the 10-year milestone with him.

He said: "The plan is to have four or five big events over the year. Hopefully there will be a golf day, a ladies' night and I'm looking towards having a game at the end of the year or the beginning of next year.

"I'd like to think there will be support for the last 10 years that I have put in. I've worked hard and I've been very loyal to Warrington. I've been through some hard times too but hopefully people will be able to enjoy these events with me."

Hilton's launch night dinner for men and women will take place at Tetley Walker club on July 9 and a feast of entertainment is being lined up. There will be an auction with a unique item on offer - an Aboriginal tribal painting, by Hilton's teammate Sid Domic, depicting the Wiganer's 10 years at Wilderspool.

The event starts at 7.30pm and further details plus tickets, priced £25 each, are available from Julie Cleave at Wilderspool on 635338.