Wakefield Trinity stormed to a comprehensive 22-4 home victory against Huddersfield Giants and maintained their 100% record this season.
MATCH DETAILS
Former Leeds winger Ben Jones-Bishop scored a brace of tries in a complete performance from the in-form Wakefield outfit. His first finish came just over half-way into the first half and was soon followed by a conversion from the Liam Finn. Huddersfield, however, mustered a reply just over 10 minutes after, with Lee Gaskell crossing in the 35th minute.
Wakefield made a marked improvement in the second half and registered early points in the form of two Liam Finn penalties. Finn continued his finesse with the boot when setting up Jones-Bishop’s second try of the game with a deft chip to the corner. Finn converted to extend his side’s lead to 12 points and the two sides traded blows for the second part of the second half, before Mason Caton-Brown provided a clinical finish to seal the game for Wakefield.
FOUR POINTERS
Changing fortunes for Chester and Wakefield
In 2015, Wakefield sacked James Webster halfway through the season and went on to play in the Million Pound Game and win. Chris Chester was appointed head coach for the 2016 season and Webster went on to join Hull KR’s coaching team. Hull KR soon fell foul of a heartbreaking relegation and Chester led Wakefield to a top eight Super League finish in 2017 and a perfect start in 2018. What a difference a few years can make.
Liam Finn flourishes in the foul weather
Liam Finn was pivotal in Wakefield’s victory in dire conditions. After a ball change from white to orange, Finn had a hand in the next ten Wakefield points with two penalty goals, one conversion and a try assist. His 100% record from the tee gave him a personal ten point tally. Overall, with a hand in fourteen Wakefield points and the margin of victory at eighteen, he stood out as the difference between the two sides.
Giant task ahead for Huddersfield
Huddersfield now stand 11 of 12 with just one win from four games, two points ahead of Catalans Dragons. Granted it’s early days, but the Giants already look in trouble with to many errors and a distinct lack of points from their opening four games; they have only hit over twelve points once. The positive, however, is that the Giants have played the first, second, fifth and seventh in the league, so they’ve got opportunities to come – they just need to convert them.
Orange the order of the day
After what seemed like a dissatisfaction with the standard white Rhino ball in the below par playing conditions, the decision was taken to treat the crowd and players to an orange variety. An entertaining, yet refreshing play from the decision makers.
THE RESULT
WAKEFIELD TRINITY 22
Tries: Jones-Bishop (23,54), Caton-Brown (78)
Goals: Finn (24,42,45,56,79)
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS 4
Tries: Gaskell (35)
Goals: n/a
SQUADS
WAKEFIELD TRINITY: 1. Scott Grix, 3. Bill Tupou, 5. Ben Jones-Bishop, 6. Jacob Miller, 7. Liam Finn, 8. David Fifita, 9. Kyle Wood, 10. Anthony England, 11. Matty Ashurst, 12. Danny Kirmond, 16. Tinirau Arona, 18. Joe Arundel, 24. Mason Caton-Brown.
Interchange: 15. Pauli Pauli, 17. Craig Huby, 20. Keegan Hirst, 25. Ryan Hampshire
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS: 1. Jake Mamo, 2. Jermaine McGillvary, 4. Jordan turner, 5. Aaron Murphy, 6. Lee Gaskell, 7. Danny Brough, 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe, 14. Dale Ferguson, 15. Jordan Rankin, 16. Ollie Roberts, 17. Ukuma Ta’ai, 18. Paul Clough, 21. Adam O’Brien.
Interchanges: 8. Sebastine Ikahihifo, 9. Kruise Leeming, 11. Tom Symonds, 19. Daniel Smith.
