Kear factor to inspire Wildcats

Wakefield Wildcats are worth an interest at 2-1 with totesport to surprise favourites Hull in their Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final at Doncaster on Sunday.

It is fair to say the Wildcats are not in the best of form - they go into the match on a run of four defeats - but in John Kear they have a wily coach who is guaranteed to have them at their best on the day.

Kear is an expert exponent of bringing teams to a peak for one-off contests, and has masterminded cup final wins for Sheffield Eagles and Hull, his opponents here, against the odds.

He is inclined to think the prospect of a cup final appearance has undermined his team’s league form, and it is worth remembering that Wakefield are still three places above Hull in the table.

Wakefield are likely to be boosted by the return of Ryan Atkins, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury, but still have a doubt over their other specialist centre, Tony Martin.

Hull, a top-priced 4-7 with Boylesports, will field their strongest team of a year dogged by injuries. They are buoyed by the return of Great Britain internationals Gareth Raynor and Garreth Carvell, and overseas duo Adam Dykes and Todd Byrne, for the visit to the Keepmoat Stadium. They also go into the match on the back of consecutive wins.

Yet Kear’s record speaks for itself, and it is the Wildcats who offer the value in an intriguing match.