5TH TACKLE July 1st. 2014 | Page 9

Tom Gilmore extends Widnes stay

Widnes Vikings have confirmed that half-back Tom Gilmore has signed a two year contract extension.

Gilmore, 20, who learnt his trade at the Vikings Academy, has collected five tries in seven appearances for the club this season. Tom Gilmore said “I’m very pleased to sign my contract and I feel I’ve got lots more to give Widnes. Denis Betts trusts me and always has done. He knows what I’m capable of and I’m looking forward to developing even more and bringing that on to the pitch.

“I’m pleased to get some more game time this year and I’m keen to push on and get more games under my belt at the back end of the season.

“My plan has always been to stay at Widnes and eventually become the scrum-half here. Widnes Vikings is my home town club and I’m proud to represent it and pull on the shirt.”

Widnes Vikings coach Dennis Betts added “Tom is really starting to mature as a player and I believe he’s a half-back with huge potential. We’ve seen him play a good number of games for the first team where he’s impressed.

“I’m really pleased that Tom has signed a two-year deal with the club as he is part of a young group of players that we have developed and they enhance our culture and environment.

“It’s important that we keep hold of young players like Tom who are improving all the time. He’s been in our system since he was a teenager and has come through the ranks. He is part of a group of players who we think will develop and play a big part in making the club successful.”