Trinity boss Chester determined to see Super League season completed

ON A day when another two Super League games were cancelled, Wakefield Trinity coach Chris Chester described talk of ending the season early as “madness”.

Given the number of games being called off, the competition has been discussing finishing the regular campaign early this weekend and holding an extended play- off system instead.

The initial season is due to finish in a fortnight’s time before top- four semi- finals take place.

However, under new plans, that could be increased to the top- six or even the top- eight to create more meaningful games.

But Chester, whose side sit 11th having battled on through numerous issues with Covid, is insistent that should not be the case.

“It’s madness, crazy,” he said, with his improving side looking for a third win in eight days when they face Leeds Rhinos tonight.

“I’ve not had anything from Michael ( Carter, Trinity’s chief executive) or the people upstairs, but we have worked so hard as a club to make sure we fulfil our obligations to Sky.

“With everything we’ve gone through, as a club, I’d be really, really disappointed if they went down that route.

“At times we’ve had 11 people stood down, nine people stood down... We could very easily have said we can’t play, we’ve got too many players out. We’ve not done that, we have fulfilled our fixtures.

“There was one game we had to call off against Leeds, but we are picking that up now.

“We’ve 20 games to play. I think let’s get it played, let’s get it done.

“It’s been a difficult year for everybody but I’d be disappointed if it finished early.”

Castleford Tigers yesterday cancelled tomorrow’s game against Huddersfield Giants – planned for John Smith’s Stadium – after reporting 12 positive Covid tests.

Salford Red Devils then revealed they have forfeited tomorrow’s televised game against Warrington Wolves.

However, that was not because of the pandemic – they have no positive cases – but owing to having just 13 fit players after a run of seven games in under a month. It is the first time a game has been forfeited this term and, under competition rules, means Wolves were awarded a 24- 0 win with the matter also referred to the RFL’s Compliance Department.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield will now instead meet Warrington at the Totally Wicked Stadium tomorrow ( 5.30pm) in a game brought forward and televised by Sky Sports.