WAKEFIELD Wildcats have forged a partnership with Championship One newcomers Oxford Rugby League.

Super League club Wakefield will work closely with semi-professional Oxford to develop the 13-man code in Oxfordshire.

Oxford board member Tony Colquitt said: “It makes a lot of sense for us to partner up with the Wildcats.

“They are a club making great strides and it’s a big positive for us to have them working closely with us.

“There are lots of opportunities for us to make a real success of rugby league not just in Oxford itself, but across the county.

“I think there’s a fantastic opportunity to link up with the educational establishments in Oxford, with current students and alumni providing the future generations of rugby league players and administrators.”

Oxford will play their home games at Iffley Road when the Championship One season starts in March.

Wildcats chief executive, James Elston, said: “We’re delighted to go into partnership with Oxford and are sure it’ll be a successful link-up for both clubs.

“As a club they have some very experienced people working there who have the expertise to make a great success of rugby league in Oxfordshire and we’re happy to be able to add our support to that.”

Meanwhile, Oxford’s second trial session attracted players from the south coast, London, Bristol, the north and Ireland to the Southern Bypass ground on Sunday.

Head coach Tony Benson said: “We have taken great strides over the last few weeks on all fronts with the club, but our fundamental target is the recruitment of players and after today it is taking shape nicely.”

Their next session will be for scientific fitness analysis at Oxford Brookes University.