Been recalled by Wigan and in their squad this weekend
Yes he'll play first team for Wigan - great opportunity for him he's more than earned it with his performances for us. Obviously weakens us but that's the loan system for you, he's not our player.
Good luck to the lad. He's worked hard while he's been playing for us and performed well. We can't ask more than that.
Agreed, Robbo and Viking Man, unlike other loan players he has worked hard for us and well deserves his chance at SL.
Wigan, of course, ought to be pleased with Widnes Vikings as we did after all keep him match fit and play him each week!
Imagine he will acquit himself well if he gets a chance. Good luck to him. Makes our task at Odsal that bit tougher though.
Disappointing for us but a clearly well earnt opportunity for the lad.
Else has not let us down, but another loan hooker or preferably the return of Tomkins is needed!
Disappointing for us but a clearly well earnt opportunity for the lad. Else has not let us down, but another loan hooker or preferably the return of Tomkins is needed!
Think we need a fitness update from the club on Tomkins, Dwyer, Jewitt & Calum O Neil. Not heard anything for a while.
Good Luck to the lad , looked a SL standard player from the off with us .
The Vicar
Dwyer has left I believe.
O'Neil has been a good player for us and an example of how beneficial a loan arrangement can be for both clubs and the player. Widnes have had the benefit of a decent player available to cover a key position for nine games; the player has had game time in a competitive environment; and Wigan have a young player who has kept fit and gained experience with game time.
Good luck to him at Wigan and hope we can resume the loan arrangement, if Tomkins shows no signs of returning. Lewis Else has not let us down, but we do need more cover at hooker.
It also shows the downside of the loan arrangement, which seems to be one-sided in favour of the parent club. What is the point of a year long loan, if the parent club can call them back at short notice? There should be a minimum notice period for a player to return. I presume we have to pay for a loan player and wonder whether the club taking the loan player can end the loan arrangement without notice eg if we no longer need the cover as injured players returned.
Fingers crossed this is just to see Wigan through the period where there's an international game plus a midweek game, and he'll be back sooner rather than later.
We've re-signed Lewis Hulme.
Signing of Hulme surely suggests O’Neil won’t be coming back?
Surprised Hulme wasn’t kept on from last season, did ok in the game he played
Got man of the match didn’t he? The cup game vs Swinton before it all ground to a halt. Certainly looked good enough to be given a chance to establish himself.
Is Hulme's reappearance also a nod to the fact we are unlikely to see Tomkins?
Hulme I thought looked decent and was a bit surprised when he wasn't kept on, at least as a squad player.