Just watched Wakefield v Oldham in 88.
Second division top of the table game.
Boy we played some good stuff under Topliss.

We won promotion that year.

Harcombe, Haggerty, Helliwell, Mason., Fox, Conway, Bell, Rayne (c) Conway, Mallinder, Douglas, Kelly, Sheldon with Topliss and Van Bellen on the bench.

Really good game. Great to see these guys play again.

Is this the game that was shown on scrumdown? I used to have it on VHS but lost years ago. Whereabouts did you find it?

Thanks

Harcombe if I remember correctly signed from Rochdale. He was an excellent kicker but not entirely a reliable defender who on occasions would follow the Brian Clough teachings of none shall pass. This unfortunately would include him throwing out his arm should they try to side step him in a sort of clothes line motion.
That team includes the players signed under the deal of the century with Leeds signing two in exchange for four and some cash. Gary Spencer was a good defensive full back but unfortunately lacked pace.

If you are on Facebook, search for rugby league cares.
They have converted old VHS videos like yours.
And yes it's the scrum down game.

We swapped Spencer and Lyons for Rayne, Mason, Fox and Conway.
Rayne was coming to end of his career but was valuable and a good captain.
The other three would look good in today's era. Especially Conway. Oh to have him now

And we got Spencer back 3 years later.

As an aside, Spencer was a fireman and is now chairman of Wakefield Trinity Players Association.

1988 was the year I started going as a 7/8 year old.

There are some good heritage videos on RLC. The Wakefield Vs Wigan cup game from 1990 is on with the power station cooling towers in the background.

I remember us playing them later in the year in a nail biting game and we lost 22-23 and Harcombe had to kick it from touch line to win game and missed. Think it was Steve Halliwell who scored in corner. We tailed off back end of season and won promotion by finishing 3rd and top 3 went up.

Cheers mate!

Yes I still have that video plus a few other scrumdown games, I also kept my the player, don't know why but glad I did. I might play some again whilst we are in lockdown and I will report back anything interesting.