Great Britain legend Fox dies

A GENUINE rugby league legend in Don Fox sadly died on Thursday morning.

Fox, who was 73, had suffered from a long illness. The former Featherstone, Wakefield and Great Britain scrum half and loose forward died at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield with his family at his bedside.

Fox will always be remembered for his missed conversion attempt in the famous 1968 "watersplash" Challenge Cup final between Wakefield and Leeds.

He had already been named as man of the match and winner of the prestigious Lance Todd Trophy when he had the chance to win the match for Trinity, but he fluffed the goal from in front of the posts in atrocious conditions to leave Leeds 11-10 winners. He was one of three rugby-playing brothers from the pit village of Sharlston who all made a mark on the game.

Peter Fox is a former Featherstone, Bradford and Great Britain coach, while Neil holds the world record for most points in the game during a glittering career with Wakefield, York, Bramley, Huddersfield and Bradford.

Meanwhile, Bradford Bulls prop forward Joe Vagana has decided to retire at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old New Zealander put off retirement a year ago and he has been in good form this year, despite being out for more than two months with a broken arm, but he has now decided it is time to hang up his boots. Vagana, who has played 239 times for the Bulls since joining them from Auckland Warriors in 2001, will make his farewell appearance against Hull KR at Odsal on Bank Holiday Monday.

"For a player, it's always hard to say when, but I think the time is right for me now to make the ultimate decision," he said. "I have been at Bradford for eight years and a professional for 15 and I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, but the old body is telling me to give it away.

"We have some great players coming through here - players like Sam Burgess, Andy Lynch and Koppy (Craig Kopczak) - and I just feel the time is right to hang up my boots and enjoy the game from the sidelines."