In our weekly wrap up of the goings-on in the world of Super League this week, hot prospect, Danny Walker crosses Cheshire to join his hometown club.
DANNY WALKER SIGNS FOR WARRINGTON
This years beaten Grand Finalists, Warrington Wolves secure a three-year-deal for Danny Walker, who leaves Widnes after their relegation from the Super League. The 20-year-old hooker, played quite a big role in the Widnes set up over the course of the 2018 season, after Lloyd White’s injury. After signing for the Wire, Walker spoke to Wolves Media and said “it means the world to me”. He also went on to say, “I’ve supported Warrington all my life and my family has too. I used to stand on the terraces so it means the world to me to have signed.”
Walker is built quite small compared to a lot of players, most dummy halves are small but Walker likes to pick up the ball and run, rather than playing it on. He hopes to add a bit more aggression to the Wolves, as and when he comes on from the interchange in place of Daryl Clark.
Staying in Cheshire, three more deals have gone through over the course of this week at the Select Security Stadium.
TOM GILMORE COMMITS TO THE VIKINGS
The halfback, Tom Gilmore has extended his stay at Widnes, stretching his playing time there until the end of the 2019 season. The 24-year-old has been with the club since Academy level and has racked up 47 appearances, including 17 last season where the Widnes number 7 scored two tries and then going on to get 100 points from the boot. Tom spoke to the Widnes media team saying, “I wanted to stay here and give it my best shot to help the lads get back to where they belong.” Gilmore speaks about the importance of togetherness in Widnes’ 2019 campaign which will see them play Championship Rugby League for the first time, for seven years.
At the moment, Gilmore is on a tour of Australia and Papa New-Guinea with the England Knights squad.
LIAM HOOD LEAVES LEIGH FOR WIDNES
Former Leigh Centurion, Liam Hood, signs for the Widnes Vikings. The hooker seems to be the ideal straight swap for Danny Walker as he starts life at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. With 65 appearances for Leigh, most coming in the Super League in 2017. In an interview with the Widnes media team, Liam put across his relief in getting the deal complete. “I’m really happy to have got it sorted.”
MATT WHITLEY BECOMES A CATALAN DRAGON
One of Widnes’ top players, a young hot prospect who is in the England Knights squad right now, Matt Whitley signs for the 2018 Challenge Cup winners, the Catalans Dragons. He will fit right in, in Steve McNamara’s second row, the 22-year-old earns his big move after a terrific couple of seasons, breaking through into the Widnes first team.
CROSBY MAKES LOAN DEAL PERMANENT
After failing to settle into life at Warrington, 2016 Grand Final winner, Dominic Crosby went out to Leeds on a loan deal. He has now secured a three-year-deal with the Rhinos. Over his time on loan, Crosby made seven appearances, and in that time helped Kevin Sinfield and Leeds, keep their Super League status. He joined Wigan’s academy back in 2010 from Hindley, and after a very brief dual registration with Widnes and South Wales, he made his first team debut against North Wales Crusaders in the 2012 Challenge Cup. His time with his hometown club Wigan will be forever in his heart. After making an impression in the Warriors side that reached consecutive Grand Finals between, 2013-16. In total he made 106 appearances for then, Shaun Wane’s side.
Crosby added, “I’m delighted to have signed with Leeds Rhinos for the next three years and extremely excited and grateful for this opportunity.”
JACK LITTLEJOHN TO LEAVE SALFORD
It was announced in the week that Australian playmaker, Jack Littlejohn is to leave the Salford Red Devils. Little john joined the Red Devils ahead of the 2017 season from the Wests Tigers, he also had a spell with the Manly Warringah Sea-Eagles. The Australian made just 19 appearances for Salford, scoring only three times. Salford wish him the best of luck.
BEN REYNOLDS EARNS SUPER LEAGUE MOVE
Leigh halfback, Ben Reynolds earns his big Super League move after signing with Wakefield Trinity. Reynolds signs on for two years. The 24-year-old his from Pontefract and made his professional debut for his hometown club, Castleford Tigers back in 2013 before spending most of the 2014 season on a dual registration at York City. He signed for Leigh in 2015, playing for the Centurions, 65 times.
Reynolds will link up with his new team-mates in Pre-season, hoping for a big 2019 with the Trinity.
DUO SIGN NEW DEALS WITH THE GIANTS
Duo, Aaron Murphy and Dale Ferguson have both signed new deals with the Huddersfield Giants. Murphy, who the transition from centre in the 2018 season, has scored 75 tries in 166 appearances for the Giants since joining Huddersfield from across Yorkshire, in Wakefield back in 2012.
Ferguson, who has been appointed as Scotland’s new captain, is in his second spell with the Giants after, a stint with Bradford.
Huddersfield coach, Simon Woodford said, “These deals were done a while back and I’m happy to endorse them and have the guys around for another two years.”
https://nothingbutleague.com/2018/10/28/test-match-report-england-18-16-new-zealand/
