It’s been a tough few weeks for Wakefield at the start of the season. In the opening three rounds, the performances were there but the results weren’t forthcoming.
Then last week they were humbled in the first half by rivals Leeds as they sunk to a fourth consecutive defeat to start the campaign. However, tonight they claimed a vital first win at the expense of a gusty Toulouse side.
Highlights:
Hood’s heroic comeback
On his return to the side, Liam Hood opened the scoring darting over from dummyhalf showing good footwork as he did.
Tanginoa’s key try
Wakefield went into the break just 8-6 up after Guy Armitage’s try cancelled out Hood’s earlier effort before a penalty on the halftime hooter gave Wakefield a two-point lead. However, Kelepi Tanginoa poached a vital try shortly after the break to swing the game back in Trinity’s favour.
Hall the hero
We often see Tom Johnstone score tries, but tonight he helped create the decisive try when his offload allowed the returning Corey Hall to secure Wakefield’s first win of the season with seven minutes to go.
Match Report:
Hardly a classic affair, this fixture was always going to be about the result and little else with both sides entering the game winless.
After dominating proceedings early on with the likes of Tom Johnstone often getting their sets off to a good start, Wakefield eventually broke the deadlock after 13 minutes and deserved to do so. On his return to the side, Liam Hood darted over from dummyhalf to nudge Wakefield in front. The resultant conversion took their lead out to 6-0 but instantly their momentum tailed off.
A minute later Toulouse’s top try scorer Guy Armitage got them back in the game on the back of a nice move. Chris Hankinson missed the conversion but 10 minutes later made amends levelling the game with a penalty.
However, the French side would still go into the break behind. After going close on the back of a Johnstone break, Wakefield received a penalty which would give them an 8-6 lead at the interval.
They would quickly add to that lead with what would prove to be a game breaking try from substitute Kelepi Tanginoa within the first five minutes of the second half. Brad Walker’s conversion gave Trinity an eight-point lead.
From there, Wakefield mostly bossed proceedings with Mason Lino’s kicking game causing havoc for Toulouse. However, the French side stayed in the game and asked questions of the Wakefield defence as the contest entered the last 15 minutes.
However, the game would truly escape Toulouse’s grasp seven minutes from time when Corey Hall scored Trinity’s third off the back of Tom Johnstone’s brilliant offload.
After missing last week’s battle with his former side Leeds, it will have been a lovely moment for the promising young centre.
Tries: Hood, Tanginoa, Hall Goals: Walker 3/4
Toulouse Olympique
Team: Olly Ashall-Bott, Paul Marcon, Guy Armitage, Chris Hankinson, Matty Russell, Tony Gigot, Lucas Albert, Joe Bretherton, Eloi Pelissier, Harrison Hansen, Maxime Stefani, Andrew Dixon, Anthony Marion
Substitutes: Dominique Peyroux, Maxime Puech, Justin Sangare, Ellis Robson
Tries: Armitage Goals: Hankinson 1/2
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