First-half attempts by Ryan Hampshire and Matty Ashurst put Trinity up 12-0 at halftime and while Umyla Hanley scored in the second half for Wigan, it wasn’t enough to prevent Wakefield from recording her fourth win of the season.
Both teams were hit hard by injuries and representative calls, with Wakefield’s Joe Westerman and Reece Lyne in England, Kelepi Tanginoa and Liam Kay with the Combined Nations All Stars, and Bill Tupou injured.
Wigan did not have 10 members of the first-choice squad, with the likes of John Bateman, Liam Farrell and Jackson Hastings on proxy roles, while Zak Hardaker, Tony Clubb and Brad Singleton were suspended.
Hooker Brad O’Neill made his Warriors debut off the bench, with rare outings to youngsters James McDonnell and Kai Pearce-Paul.
It was Wigan who started the match stronger, Thomas Leuluai pushed his way down the line after seven minutes only to be held back.
After several penalties, the visitors continued to put pressure on Trinity’s try line, but Wakefield rose to the occasion and repelled set after set with impressive defense.
It was the home team that broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through Hampshire.
Tom Johnstone returned a kick and made a break down the left flank, finding the mid-back in support for the try. Mason Lino’s successful conversion gave Trinity an early 6-0 lead.
The Warriors’ mistakes ensured that Wakefield remained in the middle of his opponents and enjoyed a good position on the field.
Wigan sought to respond and in the 26th minute Leuluai was again stopped trying to score.
But Trinity’s defense held firm and the Warriors struggled to keep the ball.
Shortly before halftime, Ashurst lunged for his team’s second of the night after a kick wreaked havoc on the away line.
Lino nailed the conversion to make it 12-0 at halftime.
In the second half, it was Wakefield who continued his momentum, and Hampshire forced an early abandonment from the goal line.
Clear attacking opportunities were rare and both teams struggled at times to maintain possession in the slippery conditions.
In the 51st minute, Johnstone retired after sustaining a leg injury.
The Warriors continued to investigate for an answer and, with 20 minutes to go, Ethan Havard made his way downfield.
The propeller was dragged yards from the test line and Trinity was quick to keep her lead intact.
But in the next set, Hanley crossed, after a quick shift to the left wing, to give Wigan hope.
Harry Smith hit his conversion to make it 12-6 with 18 minutes to go.
In the 68th minute, David Fifita was stopped on the Warriors’ try line as Wakefield sought to seal his victory.
However, it mattered little as seven minutes from the end Lino shot a penalty goal to make it 14-6 and confirm the victory.
Wakefield: Jowitt, Kershaw, Arundel, Senior, Johnstone, Hampshire, Lino, Battye, B. Walker, Arona, Pitts, Ashurst, Crowther.
Subsidiaries: K. Wood, Y. Aydin, Fifita, Batchelor.
Wigan: Marshall, Bibby, Isa, McDonnell, Hanley, Leuluai, Smith, Bullock, Powell, Havard, Smithies, Pearce-Paul, Partington.
Subs: Byrne, Clark, O’Neill, Shorrocks.
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Source: www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-06-24 22:18:17
