Warrington survived a late Trinity surge to keep their second-place hopes alive, whilst Wakefield missed the chance to seal their safety.
MATCH DETAILS
Needing a strong start against a side who had lost its last six league matches, things couldn’t have gone worse for the visitors when Daryl Clark claimed the opening score of the game early on and, to condemn matters even more, Broncos raced ahead against Hull KR.
Warrington’s victory – their first in seven Super League games – leaves them in third place, level on points with Salford, and keeps their play-off push on track.
The Challenge Cup winners then went about building a significant buffer in the first forty as tries from Ben Currie and star winger Josh Charnley gave them a comfortable 16-0 half time lead.
But the hosts came out for the second half in complacent fashion – with Trinity taking advantage.
First, Morgan Escare got the away side on the board, before Ben Jones-Bishop’s try threw the game wide open.
Ultimately, though, their efforts were in vain as Bryson Goodwin responded for the Wire and a kick a piece from Stefan Ratchford and Declan Patton made the lead insurmountable as they kept their hopes of finishing second alive.
There was still time for Ryan Hampshire to go over for Wakefield and give the scoreline a much more truthful fairer reflection of the game, but Trinity remain in peril.
Defeat in London next week followed by wins for Hull KR and Huddersfield would see them relegated in the first season since the scrapping of the Million Pound Game.
Wakefield could still mathematically be relegated if they, Rovers and the Giants all lose, but thanks to their superior points difference, unless they lost by over eighty more points than their rivals, they would be safe.
FOUR POINTERS
Warrington are back on form
Having lost their last six Super League matches, the Wolves weren’t exactly in the best of form going into what was a pivotal match in both team’s seasons, but a determined second half display ensured they still have a chance of claiming second spot ahead of Wigan.
Wakefield are in danger
A win next week guarantees survival for Trinity, but it is not going to be easy. London have just beaten Hull KR in their own backyard in the dying minutes to keep the battle for survival alive so will go into the game with a head of steam and, arguably, as favourites.
Wire will be a force in the play offs
Cup rugby has been the place to be if you’re a Warrington fan this season. Challenge Cup glory is still rife in the veins of both supporters and players, so expect them to carry it over into the play offs.
It’s going to an incredible final day.
Many doubt were cast over the omission of the Million Pound Game at the start of the year, but the drama has burst through all roofs created for it. No one would have imagined that four teams face the possibility of relegation when the ruling was passed, and with two of them facing off against each other, it promises to have more twists and turns than ever before.
THE RESULT
Warrington Wolves 23
Tries: Clark, Currie, Charnley, Goodwin
Goals: Ratchford (3)
Drop Goals:ย Patton
Wakefield Trinity 16
Tries: Escare, Jones-Bishop, Hampshire
Goals: Brough (2)
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Warrington Wolves:ย Ratchford, Lineham, Goodwin, Charnley, Austin, Hill, D Clark, Cooper, Currie, Murdoch-Masila, J Clark, Patton, T King.
Interchanges:ย Philbin, Akauola, Mamo, Smith.
Wakefield Trinity:ย Hampshire, Lyne, Jones-Bishop, Miller, Brough, Kirmond, Randell, Kopczak, Arundel, Crowther, Tanginoa, Escare, Tangata.
Interchanges:ย Wood, G King, Gwaze, Green.
Referee:ย Chris Kendall (RFL).
