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Wakefield Trinity boss Willie Poching wants rule scrapped after heartbreaking and ‘tough’ defeat to St Helens

Wakefield Trinity went down 13-12 to St Helens this afternoon in heartbreaking circumstances.

If you were watching this game, you would have been forgiven in thinking that Wakefield were the team in form as they raced into a 10-0 lead from which the reigning champions had no answer to in the first-half.

Mason Lino kicked another penalty goal early on in the second forty minutes to make it 12-0, but Regan Grace replied on 55 minutes to finally breach the Wakefield line.

Jon Bennison notched a second for Saints with 13 minutes to go, and, with Jonny Lomax’s superb touchline conversion, the visitors were back level at 12-12.

Three drop goals were missed by Saints and one by Jacob Miller as the two teams went into golden point to decide such a bizarre game.

Lino missed his first attempt before Jack Welsby slotted over the winner to break Trinity hearts.

For Willie Poching, it was a hard defeat, but praised his players immensely.

“It was a tough one to take, very tough. They are a quality team and we knew that we had to play the we did and defend the way we did.

“We knew we had to have some of the aggression that we had in order to get something out of the game.

“I thought we did enough but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. It was gut-wrenching and we can be proud of a lot of things we did today.

“I thought we took some real strides forward but the fact of the matter is we have to rest and recover for Friday.

“It was our best defensive performance (of the season). There are loads of positives and we need to deliver that and understand there is some belief that we can do that and do it against the best.”

Poching is, however, keen to get away from the golden point extra-time rule.

“I’m not a fan; it’s a drop kick-a-thon, I would like to see some attractive footy.

“I’m not just saying this now but for the effort a draw should be enough. I understand people like car crash TV.”

Focus now turns to the Jungle on Friday night against local rivals Castleford Tigers and Poching wants to turn that hurt into drive.

“It’s a local derby. They had a fantastic win on Friday and they are another dangerous side.

“We have to dust ourselves off and go again. It’s a pretty dejected dressing room after that, and they are hurting and disappointed.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Herb

    July 25, 2022 at 8:22 am

    Willie has my sympathy. I believe a draw is a valid result for two clubs that have slogged it out all afternoon and scored the same number of points.

    For me, Golden Point should be employed only in knock-out matches, to avoid the clubs having to replay.

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