Wakefield Trinity 30-24 Salford Red Devils: Highlights, player ratings & talking points

Wakefield Trinity took on Salford Red Devils at Belle Vue this Sunday afternoon.

Trinity were up 24-4 at half-time, courtesy of incredible tries from Tom Johnstone as well as two stellar efforts from Jacob Miller and Reece Lyne.

That being said, the second-half was completely turned on its head as Salford lost by just six points in the end at 30-24.

Highlights

Tom Johnstone leaping like a salmon for his first try was like something out of the Olympics.

Reece Lyne’s try came off the back of stellar work by Johnstone and Liam Kay. Trinity went the full 100 metres in just one tackle.

Johnstone’s afternoon got even better with a superb second effort, scything through the Salford defence and past six defenders to go under the posts.

Talking points

1. Tom Johnstone for England

The Wakefield Trinity winger Tom Johnstone can find himself bitterly unlucky not to be in Shaun Wane’s England squad. And, there was big evidence of this against Salford this afternoon. The winger made numerous breaks, scored two brilliant tries – one of which came after being in agony moments earlier. What a player!

2. Salford’s first-half

Salford’s first-half was absolutely dreadful. Down 24-4 at the break made it too difficult for the Red Devils to come back from despite an incredible effort in the second-half. Paul Rowley certainly would not have been happy and they dominated the second forty minutes.

3. Poching’s passion

Wakefield look like a completely different side in 2022 to the one in 2021 and that’s full credit to Willie Poching who has turned the place around at Belle Vue. Trinity won’t get relegated, that’s for sure and it’s now four wins in a row.

Player ratings

Wakefield Trinity

1 Max Jowitt – 9
2 Tom Johnstone – 10
30 Corey Hall – 8
4 Reece Lyne – 8
19 Liam Kay – 9
6 Jacob Miller – 7
7 Mason Lino – 8
12 Kelepi Tanginoa – 8
9 Liam Hood – 7
10 Tinirau Arona – 7
11 Matty Ashurst – 8
13 Jay Pitts – 7
16 James Batchelor – 7
Substitutes
8 Eddie Battye – 7
14 Jordy Crowther – 8
15 Jai Whitbread – 7
22 Yusuf Aydin – 7

Salford Red Devils
1 Ryan Brierley – 8
22 Rhys Williams – 8
28 Deon Cross – 7
4 Tim Lafai – 9
2 Ken Sio – 8
6 Brodie Croft – 8
7 Marc Sneyd – 7
15 King Vuniyayawa – 7
9 Andy Ackers – 7
29 Alex Gerrard – 6
13 Elijah Taylor – 7
16 Ryan Lannon – 6
19 Jack Ormondroyd – 6
Substitutes
8 Sitaleki Akauola – 8
10 Greg Burke – 6
18 Chris Atkin – N/A
26 Sam Luckley – 7