Betts calm over pitch critics
February 07, 2012 11:24:24 UK
Widnes Vikings head coach Denis Betts had dismissed criticism of the club's new 'iPitch', insisting that the surface is perfectly safe for competition.
The Vikings crashed to defeat in their first game back in Super League when they hosted Wakefield on Friday evening, but one of the main talking points was created after the match, when Wakefield full-back Richie Mathers took to Twitter to complain about the artificial pitch.
But Betts says that Mathers was the only one to raise any concerns and is confident that other players will enjoy visiting the Stobart Stadium.
"I think it's definitely down to the conditions. We had 34 blokes running about the pitch on Friday night, but only one complaining and I think that speaks for itself. It's a very tough sport and I think you've just got to man up," said the Widnes boss.
"It was extreme conditions and there was ice on the ground. It can hurt when you land on ice and you can see from the other games, like at Salford and at Leeds, that these injuries can happen on any surface.
"Everybody is happy about how hard we've worked to make sure that this is a fantastic safe surface for a high contact sport like Rugby League to be played on.
"We've covered ourselves and to judge it on one fella's little rant is a bit extreme."
The Vikings will look to bounce back from Friday's 14-32 defeat when they visit Huddersfield Giants this Sunday.
Widnes are 15.00 to finish in the top eight and reach the play-offs this season, with Wakefield 4.33 and Hull KR 2.37.
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