Chris Chester’s Wakefield Trinity side have been slightly hit and miss in terms of league form so far in 2019. However there huge pack and slick half backs punished Salford in the first half at Belle Vue to take a 24-10 lead at the break.
Trinity were immediately on the front foot after a comedy of errors by Salford gifted David Fifita the games first try.
Salford hit back to level the scores, Derrell Olpherts breaking away to hug the touch line superbly before finding full back Niall Evalds who raced over to touch down. 6-6.
Ryan Hampshire regained the lead for Wakefield, his weaving run across the pitch split the Red Devil’s defence. The full back then straightened up to show a clean pair of heels to score.
Things got worse for Salford though and another disappointing try was conceded from Jacob Miller’s cross field kick. Pin point accuracy saw the kick float in between Jake Bibby and Olpherts for Reece Lynne to pocket the ball and fall over the line. Danny Brough’s third successful conversion extended Trinity’s lead to 18-6.
Wakefield were very much on top as Salford’s pack struggled to gain any momentum. Jackson Hastings worked tirelessly to make things happen for his side. The Australian cut loose to make a thrilling break, unfortunately Josh Jones in support couldn’t hold the pass and the chance was gone.
Salford hit back with a piece of brilliance though, a huge looping Robert Lui pass to winger Ed Chamberlain provided the opening for Kris Welham to drag The Red Devil’s back in to the match. 18-10.
Salford’s revival became short lived as Trinity scored again before the half time hooter. A very deep attacking line from the hosts saw the ball fanned from left to right. Pauli Pauli powered over to score despite some desperate defence.
Trailing 24-10 at half time Salford needed the first points of the second half. It wasn’t to be though as Brough and Miller combined brilliantly. Miller reading the veteran Brough’s slide rule kick to dive over for a fine try. 30-10.
The game was looking well beyond Salford’s reach but Ian Watson’s men hit back with two well taken tries of there own. Good centre play from Bibby squeezed Olpherts in at the corner. Then the non stop grafter Hastings crashed over for a well deserved try showing tremendous strength as the Trinity defence desperately tried to hold him up. Chamberlain with the conversion pegged Wakefield back at 30-22.
Brough, Miller and hooker Kyle Wood managed the remaining minutes of the match masterfully. Brough kicked a penalty goal before putting the match to bed with a drop goal.
An upbeat Ian Watson wasn’t to despondent after the match but did criticise his teams slow start and lack of concentration at crucial moments of the match.
“We’re probably not starting with the same intensity as were playing in the second half. It’s taking us forty minutes to build ourselves into the game. We’ve got to start better.”
Salford are back in action at home to Hull next Sunday at 3pm.
Final score
Wakefield 33 Salford 22
Paul Whiteside.
Pictures by Steve McCormick
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