Derrell Olpherts hopes to have friends gritting their teeth by downing Wakefield
DERRELL Olpherts knows seeing him continue his hot scoring streak may lead to several people biting their tongue.
For they will be in the Wakefield end with divided loyalties.
The Castleford winger bagged four tries in last week’s destruction of Hull FC – now for the big one, facing his hometown club.
And while several Trinity fans will be glad for him if he adds to his try collection, they may not necessarily be happy or show it.
Olpherts, who grew up in the Lupset area of Wakefield said: “Quite a lot of my mates are Wakefield fans.
“A lot of people I know are, although I’ve converted some of them to Castleford. They’ll be cheering me on, though, while hoping Trinity win at the same time.
“They’ll be cheering on through gritted teeth. We’ve won 17 derbies on the bounce – they want to get one over us at some stage.
“Last week was good, I don’t think I’ve ever scored four tries in a game other than maybe at amateur level for Westgate Redoubt, Shaw Cross Sharks or Sharlston.
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“It’s always good playing my hometown club, I’m looking forward to it. There will be no taking it easy on them, though. Not a chance.”
Olpherts, who now lives on the Castleford side of the M62, has established himself as one of Super League’s most lethal wingers.
Some rise from working as a JCB driver on building sites who always thought appearing for Wakefield was beyond him.
And having been brought up in a rugby league hotbed, he knows how big a blow relegation would be, both to the club and the city.
The 30-year-old added: “That would be massive. It’s the only professional sports club that’s in the city. It would be a huge loss, both for the area and Super League in general.
“Playing for Wakefield has never really been an option, I never thought I’d play in Super League. I was only in League One six or seven years ago.
“Wakefield and Super League in general always seemed a bit beyond me. I enjoyed working and playing for Hemel and Newcastle but the opportunity to play full time came and I snapped Salford’s hand off.
“It’s not been too bad a decision really, it’s worked out all right!”
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