Wakefield Trinity 30-12 Wigan Warriors: Highlights, player ratings and talking points

Wakefield Trinity took on Wigan Warriors this afternoon at Belle Vue.

Trinity were in the mood for a big performance in scorching conditions and they opened the scoring early through Lee Kershaw.

Another two efforts from Jai Whitbread and Jacob Miller firmly handed the ascendancy to the home side with a 16-0 lead.

Wigan did manage to hit back just after the hour after a weaving Bevan French run set the platform for Sam Halsall, but a Mason Lino penalty on the hooter handed Trinity an 18-6 lead at the break.

Patrick Mago was sinbinned a minute into the second-half for a crusher tackle, but Trinity failed to capitalise.

That being said, Lino’s lovely short ball to Kelepi Tanginoa extended Wakefield’s to 24-6, though Jai Field did bring Wigan back to within 12 with a superb chip and chase.

However, Trinity had the last laugh when Lewis Murphy intercepted from halfway to put the icing on top of the cake.

Highlights

Jacob Miller weaving his way through the Wigan defence for a fine individual score.

If Miller’s weaving run was good, then Bevan French’s to set up Sam Halsall was even better.

Jai Field’s chip and chase from halfway was mesmerising.

Lewis Murphy intercepted and ran over from 40 metres out to show some brilliant speed.

Talking points

1. Wigan never really got going

Wigan were down 18-6 at half-time and they never really got going. Maybe it was the weather, but it was the same for both sides with Wigan’s forwards unable to make any inroads against a formidable Wakefield pack.

2. Superb Lino and Miller

All the talk before the game was about Bevan French and Jai Field, but it was Jacob Miller and Mason Lino that stole the show with some incredible kicks and passes. The duo also stood up magnificently in defence.

3. Wakefield safe

Wakefield are pretty much safe in Super League for another season after a brilliant win at Belle Vue. This two points takes them four points clear of Toulouse Olympique who went down 32-18 to Warrington on Thursday. It’s been a real slog for Trinity in 2022, but Willie Poching should take so much credit for the way in which the club has turned things around.

Player ratings

Wakefield Trinity

38 Jamie Shaul – 7
18 Lee Kershaw – 8
30 Corey Hall – 8
17 Lee Gaskell – 7
27 Lewis Murphy – 8
6 Jacob Miller – 9
7 Mason Lino – 9
15 Jai Whitbread – 9
14 Jordy Crowther – 7
10 Tinirau Arona – 8
11 Matty Ashurst – 8
12 Kelepi Tanginoa – 9
16 James Batchelor – 8
Substitutes
8 Eddie Battye – 7
21 Brad Walker – 6
22 Yusuf Aydin – 7
37 Josh Bowden – 7
Also in 21-man squad
9 Liam Hood
20 Jack Croft
24 Harry Bowes

Wigan Warriors

23 Jai Field – 8
1 Bevan French – 7
25 Sam Halsall – 6
2 Jake Bibby – 6
5 Liam Marshall – 6
6 Cade Cust – 5
16 Harry Smith – 5
8 Brad Singleton – 7
28 Brad O’Neill – 4
36 Mike Cooper – 5
11 Willie Isa – 6
21 Kai Pearce-Paul – 6
20 Liam Byrne – 6
Substitutes
10 Patrick Mago – 7
15 Kaide Ellis – 5
17 Oliver Partington – 5
22 Joe Shorrocks – 5
Also in 21-man squad
12 Liam Farrell
24 Abbas Miski
37 Harvie Hill