Wakefield Trinity coach Chris Chester has hailed his 300-match man Jay Pitts and says there are plenty more miles left on the clock.
The 31-year-old forward reached the 300-appearance milestone at home to Catalans on Friday, when a 38-18 defeat left Chris Chester’s side still without a win this season.
Pitts is back where it all started, having played his first senior match in 2008 during his first spell at home-city club Trinity.
He returned to Wakefield from London Broncos ahead of last season, and in December signed a new two-year contract with an option of an extension to take in 2023.
In total, the Catalans clash was his 41st for Trinity, while he has played 27 times for Leeds, four on dual-registration for Doncaster, 53 for Hull, 83 for Bradford and 92 for London.
Like current Wakefield players Alex Walker and Eddie Battye, Pitts was on duty for the Broncos as captain when they suffered the misery of final-day relegation in 2019 after losing 19-10 at Wakefield.
“Pittsy has been a fantastic servant to all his clubs,” said Chester, whose side is next in action away to Leeds on Friday week.
“The leadership and professionalism he showed at London was exceptional, and that’s a big part of what brought him to Wakefield.
“He’s here for the next couple of years, and he’ll play a really important role.”
Meanwhile, loans have been at the forefront of Chester’s agenda.
Huddersfield fullback Olly Ashall-Bott and St Helens hooker Josh Eaves have arrived as cover for injuries while centre Jack Croft has joined Oldham for the season (Trinity have a recall clause) and scored a try in Saturday’s 16-12 Championship win over Halifax.
Croft’s fellow centre Ollie Greensmith is joining Doncaster, while halfback Connor Bailey is at Newcastle and prop Yusuf Aydin at York.
Teenage hooker Harry Bowes, who made two first-team appearances last year, could also head out for a spell and Chester explained: “It would help him develop physically and mentally.
“We’re playing the long game with Harry, and Under-19 rugby and maybe a spell in the Championship is the plan for this year.”
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