Wakefield Trinity hosted Hull KR in Round Two of Super League and here’s our verdict on how it all unfolded.
Hull KR were pushed all the way by Wakefield Trinity who were perhaps unlucky not to win in the end as they fell to a 14-12 defeat.
A late Oliver Pratt try looked set to level it up but star man Max Jowitt missed the sideline conversion as Hull KR came through a tough test.
Both teams were without star men as Wakefield Trinity, who had been heavily hit with injury anyway, saw Jake Trueman miss out through illness whilst Hull KR were without Tyrone May.
That saw Oliver Russell brought in for the home side and Peta Hiku shuffled into the halves for Hull KR as Willie Peters tried to fill the void left by his classy playmaker.
Here’s our verdict on the game.
Hull KR defeat Wakefield Trinity but lose Mikey Lewis to injury
Hull KR opened the scoring after six minutes through Tom Davies with the winger reacting quickest to a Mikey Lewis kick that hit the bar. The Wakefield of 2023 would have folded and allowed the floodgates to open but this is a very different beast.
Max Jowitt continued to show why Wakefield have extended his contract with the full-back making brilliant defensive reads and also triggering attacks from his smart play under the high ball, however, it had amounted to nothing by the half hour mark with the score still 6-0 to the visitors.
Jowitt’s brilliance was on show just after the half hour mark when his pinpoint short drop out was claimed by Tom Johnstone to relieve huge pressure. The ensuing set forced Niall Evalds into an error giving Wakefield some of their best territory but they again failed to utilise it.
Man of Steel Mikey Lewis got Hull KR into great territory just before half time but lashed out at the tackler to give away a penalty, granting Wakefield the ball which the hosts used to march down the field and register two points on the hooter.
Hull KR claimed those two points back quickly after the half with Rhyse Martin slotting a penalty from in front of the posts but the lead didn’t last long as Wakefield made good on a penalty and saw a classy Max Jowitt pass play in Tom Johnstone to level the scores.
The scores weren’t level for long as Mikey Lewis forced his way over but it left the Man of Steel writhing in pain leading to his ankle being heavily strapped. Lewis eventually had to limp off and that injury is certainly a concern to look out for going forward.
A Micky McIlorum sin bin put pressure on Hull KR and they couldn’t handle that as standout centre Oliver Pratt scored a brilliant try in the corner but a missed Jowitt conversion ensured the Robins held on to win 14-12. Ultimately, the major talking point will be Mikey Lewis leaving the ground on crutches.
Good day for
Wakefield Trinity are back in Super League and they’re proud to celebrate it. They sold out the DIY Kitchens Stadium and after a Round One win over Leeds Rhinos and this performance tonight, fans will be sure to have plenty to celebrate going forward.
Bad day for
Mikey Lewis did get on the scoresheet and Hull KR managed to escape Wakefield with a well-fought win but the injury sustained by Lewis looked a bad one and you fear that his brave decision to continue could have worsened that injury. All eyes will be on Willie Peters’ press conference next week especially given that Lewis was seen on crutches and with his foot in a boot.
Star man
Max Jowitt didn’t deserve to be on the losing side tonight as the full-back put in a near flawless performance. After his record-breaking season in the Championship when he scored 500 points, his confidence was bound to be high but he’s also taken his game to another level.
Teams
Wakefield Trinity: Jowitt, Walmsley, Pratt, Hall, Johnstone; Russell, Lino; McMeeken, Doyle, Hamlin-Uele; Croft, Storton, Pitts
Interchanges: Vagana, Rourke, Smith, Faatili
Hull KR: Evalds; Davies, Broadbent, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, Hiku; Sue, McIlorum, Waerea-Hargreaves; Martin, Batchelor, Minchella
Interchanges: Litten, Hadley, Whitbread, Tanginoa
Getting Round 2 underway at a sold out DIY Kitchens Stadium 👊
Watch Trinity face the Robins on @SkySports 📺#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/uu9OOZpzyR
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 20, 2025
