Mathers wants Wakefield fortress

Wakefield full-back Richie Mathers says the Wildcats want to make the Rapid Solicitors Stadium a fortress this season.

They managed just four wins at home last season and it is something the club, which has undergone somewhat of an overhaul both on and off the pitch, wants to improve upon.

Mathers told the club’s official website: “We were playing our main game at home and this is our ground and we’re proud of our patch and defensive of it.

“It’s a bit of a cliché but we want to make it a bit of a fortress.  We wanted to put a good defensive effort and hopefully that pleases the fans.”

Mathers, 28, was speaking after the Wildcats defeated local rivals Castleford 40-20 in a pre-season game on Sunday, with the former Warrington and Wigan man touching down against the club he is on loan from for 2012.

He added: “I’m sure it will on the back of the effort we put in.  It’s not all going to be plain sailing. We’re a new team and still getting used to new combinations.

“But in terms of effort and endeavour, that’s what we want to hang our hat on and if we can do that I think we’ll go a long way to being consistent this year.”

The Wildcats have won both their home friendlies, against Sheffield and Castleford, but have suffered defeats on their travels at Leeds and Catalan.

They take on Batley at Mount Pleasant on Sunday, before opening their Super League campaign with a trip to new boys Widnes on February 3rd.