Ben Jones-Bishop scored two second-half tries as Wakefield beat Wigan in a thrilling Super League encounter.
Here’s our verdict.
MATCH DETAILS
Joe Burgess put Wigan ahead with his sixth try in three games and ended on the losing side despite a hat-trick.
Wakefield turned it around to lead 16-4 at half-time with tries from Craig Kopczak, Joe Arundel and Max Jowitt.
Jones-Bishop’s double proved enough for the home side and, despite Burgess completing his treble and George Williams going over, Wigan fell short.
Reece Lyne became the second Wakefield player to be helped from the field before the home side, who had looked set for a four-point deficit at half-time, stunned Wigan with three tries in three minutes just before the break.
Kopczak’s direct drive saw him force his way over, Ryan Hampshire’s short pass set up Arundel and David Fifita fed Jowitt following a lightning quick break down the left-hand side to set up a 12-point lead.
Jones-Bishop’s first was set up by great work from Justin Horo and he later collected a kick from Kyle Wood.
On both occasions, Wigan hit back as Williams spun away from a tackle to go over and Burgess grabbed his second in the left-hand corner.
Burgess completed his hat-trick when he beat his man to dive over but the comeback was too late for last year’s champions.
FOUR POINTERS
Wakefield make waves
Since their narrow home defeat to the league challengers Warrington Wolves, Wakefield have come away with three consecutive wins. This means their fine run of form has landed them in the Super League top four.
Concerns for Wigan
The Warriors have now faced back-to-back defeats and remain in the bottom three, with London Broncos and Leeds Rhinos. However, there will be no doubt that Wigan will take positives from when they started to climb back and finished the game with a 10-point deficit behind their opponents.
They will definitely need the positives when they host their historic clash over St Helens.
Fifita is on fire
The prop forward has shown once again why he deserves to be challenging for this year’s Man of Steel award after another sensational performance. His fearless carries and powerful hand-offs had even landed David on the wing at one point as he made a clean break. Fifita is certainly one to watch this year.
Injury worries
The visitors were dealt a blow on their arrival at the stadium when full-back Zak Hardaker had to pull out of the squad because of a family emergency. Wakefield lost Anthony England inside the opening 10 minutes to a knee injury as well as Jacob Miller, Kyle Wood and Reece Lyne throughout the game.
THE RESULT
Wakefield 30
Tries: Kopczak, Arundel, Jowitt, Jones-Bishop 2
Goals: Brough 5
Drop Goals:ย n/a
Wigan 20
Tries: Williams 2, Burgess 2
Goals: Escare 2
Drop Goals:ย n/a
SQUADS
Wakefield Trinity: Hampshire, Jones-Bishop, Lyne, Arundel, Jowitt, Miller, Brough, Fifita, Wood, England, Pauli, Ashurst, Arona.
Interchanges:ย Horo, Kopczak, Hirst, King.
Wigan Warriors: Escare, Davies, Sarginson, Gildart, Burgess, Williams, Jake Shorrocks, Bullock, Leuluai, Navarrete, Isa, Paisley, Smithies.
Interchanges: Powell, Tautai, Partington, Joe Shorrocks.
