Rookie Stags looking to enjoy the occasion

Even with a raft of youngsters in their side, Richard Agar’s team are fully expected to comfortably brush past Hemel Stags in their Tetley’s Challenge Cup fourth round tie.

Their opponents only joined the professional ranks this year when they were elevated to Championship One and they remain very much a work in progress.

Nonetheless, Hemel coach Troy Perkins said: “To be in the mix at this stage is great for the club and it doesn’t get much bigger or better than drawing Super League opposition.

“Wakefield are a great club so the experience for our guys to play against them will be fantastic.

“Most of our players have never been in the situation to play against players of this calibre before and they may never be in the situation again.

“Wakefield have some world -class players like Tim Smith, Ali Lauitiiti and Justin Poore and to be on the same field as those players and test ourselves against them is a huge opportunity.

“People also talk about the financial benefit for the clubs in these types of games and while there is certainly an aspect of that, the biggest thing for Hemel is the experience our players will gain.”

Hemel made their bow in the professional ranks in the Northern Rail Cup earlier this season and followed up their maiden professional win against University of Gloucestershire All Golds with victory over London Skolars in the opening round of Championship One.

“Championship One is clearly our focus but it’s a massive bonus to be going up against Wakefield,” he said, the tie having been switched to Belle Vue.

“We’ve nothing to fear. We know there’s no pressure on us.

“We’ve had a few good wins and we’ve gone close in the others so we’re in pretty good form

“I just want our players to go out there and compete and we’ll enjoy the moment and work hard – this is the cup and it’s anyone’s game.”