Derwent Park
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| Full name | Zebra Claims Stadium |
|---|---|
| Former names | Derwent Park |
| Location | Workington, Cumbria |
| Coordinates | 54°38′53″N 3°33′20″W / 54.64806°N 3.55556°WCoordinates: 54°38′53″N 3°33′20″W / 54.64806°N 3.55556°W |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1956 |
| Opened | 1956 |
| Tenants | |
|
Workington Town (1956–) Workington Comets (1970–1981, 1999–) Workington Tigers (1987) | |
The Zebra Claims Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Workington, England situated beside the Cumbrian River Derwent. It is used mostly for rugby league matches and is the home stadium of Workington Town who play in Championship, the second tier domestic competition in the United Kingdom. The Zebra Claims Stadium is also the home of the Workington Comets who race in the Premier League, the second division of motorcycle speedway in the UK.[1]
The Zebra Claims Stadium has a capacity of 10,000 people with 1,200 seats.
History
The stadium was opened in 1956. The record attendance at Derwent Park was set in 1965 when 17,741 spectators turned up for a third round Challenge Cup match against Wigan.
The football pitch at Derwent Park is surrounded by a 398 yards (364 metres) motorcycle speedway track.
Floodlights were installed in 1990 and were first used on 17 October when Cumbria faced the touring Australians during the 1990 Kangaroo Tour in front of 6,750 fans on a cold night with Australia victorious 42–10 in a dominant display. Derwent also hosted the opening game of the 1994 Kangaroo Tour between Cumbria and Australia on a cold, wet day in front of only 4,227 fans. Australia were again dominant, winning 52–8 (Note that in both 1990 and 1994, the Australian team was composed mainly of the mid-week team and not those who were expected to play Test matches).
International venue
On 19 May 1994 was host the rugby union between Italy versus Ireland game for warming-up before 1995 Rugby World Cup. Italy defeated Ireland 32–26 in front of 3,000 fans.
Derwent Park held its first full international match on 1 December 2000 with the Aotearoa Māori versus Samoa game in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. Samoa defeated Aotearoa Māori 21–16 in front of 4,107 fans.
On 14 July 1990 the stadium was host to the "Cumbria Rock Festival" and bands included: Magnum, Saxon, Dogs D'Amour, Wolfsbane, the Almighty and Romeo's Daughter. On 13 July 1991, the second edition of the festival saw appearances by Marillion, Wolfsbane (who replaced Blackfoot on the bill as special guests), the Almighty, Atom Seed, Cheap and Nasty, FM, Jagged Edge, Sweet Addiction, Loud, Lisa Dominique, Dumpy's Rusty Nuts and Rattlesnake Kiss.[2]
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The stadium hosted two matches at Rugby League World Cup 2013: Scotland's ties against Tonga on Tuesday 29 October, watched in front of 7,630, and Italy Sunday 3 November, watched in front of 7,280.
As part of the 2014 Rugby League European Cup, Derwent Park hosted the match between Scotland and Wales on 17 October. Scotland won the game 42-18.
On 5 December 2014 it was announced that Workington Town had signed a lucrative sponsorship deal that would see the stadium renamed as the Zebra Claims Stadium for the start of the 2015 season.
As part of the 2016 Rugby League Four Nations, the Zebra Claims Stadium hosted the match between New Zealand and Scotland on 11 November. The game ended in an 18-18 draw.
Summary
List of Test and International matches played at Derwent Park since its opening in 1956.[3]
| Game No. | Date | Result | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 September 1949 | Other Nationalities def.  England 13–7 | 17,500 | Played as part of the 1949–50 European Cup |
| 2 | 1 November 2000 | Samoa  def.  Aotearoa Māori 21–16 | 4,107 | Played as part of the 2000 World Cup |
| 3 | 29 October 2013 | Scotland  def.  Tonga 26–24 | 7,630 | Played as part of the 2013 World Cup |
| 4 | 3 November 2013 | Scotland drew with  Italy 30–30 | 7,280 | Played as part of the 2013 World Cup |
| 5 | 27 October 2014 | Scotland def.  Wales 42–18 | 2,036 | Played as part of the 2014 European Cup |
| 6 | 11 November 2016 | New Zealand  drew with Scotland 18–18 | 6,628 | Played as part of the 2016 Four Nations |
References
- ↑ Bamford, R & Jarvis, J.(2001). Homes of British Speedway. ISBN 0-7524-2210-3
- ↑ Cumbria Rock 1991 – ticket stub
- ↑ "Derwent Park". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 29 May 2015.