Castleford 16-37 Wakefield (abandoned after 73 Minutes)
Wheldon Road
29/03/13
Att: 7,705
"It's like the holy grail"
In Rugby League there are three grounds that we never been to despite our best efforts. Those three come in the form of Odsal, Huddersfield and Wheldon Road. With Broncos game against Cas having been the week before we somewhat expected our main chance of visiting as having past, but thankfully we were in luck. While rummaging through fixtures in the Evening, within driving distance of Rochdale, we noted the Local derby against Wakefield and before long our plans had been made. Saying that, we're still yet to see a full game at Cas.
After grabbing something to eat at the indoor ski slope we made the short drive, and parked at the far end of Wheldon road. We had pre-bought tickets and when questioning the stewards as to where we had to go to pick up our tickets they both pointed in different directions. In the end we found the ticket office and made our way into the ground, now one of my favourites that I've visited this year. Old grounds under floodlights have that special effect that you can't get anywhere else. Everything is dark and gloomy apart from the pitch, and this is the impression we got tonight. It will be a massive shame when the club finally get to relocating to their new ground.
Wheldon road, or the Wish Stadium, opened in 1927 and has a current capacity of 11,750, with the majority coming in the form of terracing. The main side is split into thirds. One end is an uncovered section of terracing, which is members only. Next to this is the wooden main stand which is able to house 1,500 people. The other side is again a strip of uncovered terracing, although Non-members are able to stand here. This sweeps round onto the Railway end, a large uncovered terrace with a social club to the rear. This is where the majority of away fans congregate. In the corner is the scoreboard, although this was broken for tonight. As a Broncos fan I found it amusing as it must've broke in our game, with the score fixed at 12-26. Along the side opposite the main stand was more terracing, although covered. This continued to sweep round to the main covered terrace although this is also members only. This backs right onto the road, and the local pub.
In terms of the game, the result should stand. Castleford put in the worst performance I've seen from a SL side this year. This is including the Broncos home games v Widnes and KR. The first half they were simply outmuscled and outplayed to the stage that the Wakefield team were running through 3 or 4 men at a time such was the inability of Cas to make a tackle. Wakefield really deserved their 25-0 lead at halftime, Paul Sykes being that standout player for the Wildcats. After the break Cas got a succession of quick try's although this proved to be only slight comfort as Wakefield continued to extend their lead. Shortly after scoring the try to go 37-16 up the referee pointed to the corner that we were standing in. We were very confused as all of a sudden lots of stewards were ushering us towards the Covered home terrace, evacuating the stand. Just as we got there the referee called FT 7 minutes early and the fire brigade turned up. It was confusing as there was no evidence of a fire. Upon searching on Twitter we learnt that they believed the Floodlight closest to us had started sparking and there were fears it would catch fire.
A strange finish, but at least nothing serious happened, and in the end probably the right call. Saying that if you like old grounds with lots of terracing I'd get to Castleford before this place disappears.
After grabbing something to eat at the indoor ski slope we made the short drive, and parked at the far end of Wheldon road. We had pre-bought tickets and when questioning the stewards as to where we had to go to pick up our tickets they both pointed in different directions. In the end we found the ticket office and made our way into the ground, now one of my favourites that I've visited this year. Old grounds under floodlights have that special effect that you can't get anywhere else. Everything is dark and gloomy apart from the pitch, and this is the impression we got tonight. It will be a massive shame when the club finally get to relocating to their new ground.
Wheldon road, or the Wish Stadium, opened in 1927 and has a current capacity of 11,750, with the majority coming in the form of terracing. The main side is split into thirds. One end is an uncovered section of terracing, which is members only. Next to this is the wooden main stand which is able to house 1,500 people. The other side is again a strip of uncovered terracing, although Non-members are able to stand here. This sweeps round onto the Railway end, a large uncovered terrace with a social club to the rear. This is where the majority of away fans congregate. In the corner is the scoreboard, although this was broken for tonight. As a Broncos fan I found it amusing as it must've broke in our game, with the score fixed at 12-26. Along the side opposite the main stand was more terracing, although covered. This continued to sweep round to the main covered terrace although this is also members only. This backs right onto the road, and the local pub.
In terms of the game, the result should stand. Castleford put in the worst performance I've seen from a SL side this year. This is including the Broncos home games v Widnes and KR. The first half they were simply outmuscled and outplayed to the stage that the Wakefield team were running through 3 or 4 men at a time such was the inability of Cas to make a tackle. Wakefield really deserved their 25-0 lead at halftime, Paul Sykes being that standout player for the Wildcats. After the break Cas got a succession of quick try's although this proved to be only slight comfort as Wakefield continued to extend their lead. Shortly after scoring the try to go 37-16 up the referee pointed to the corner that we were standing in. We were very confused as all of a sudden lots of stewards were ushering us towards the Covered home terrace, evacuating the stand. Just as we got there the referee called FT 7 minutes early and the fire brigade turned up. It was confusing as there was no evidence of a fire. Upon searching on Twitter we learnt that they believed the Floodlight closest to us had started sparking and there were fears it would catch fire.
A strange finish, but at least nothing serious happened, and in the end probably the right call. Saying that if you like old grounds with lots of terracing I'd get to Castleford before this place disappears.