Wakefield Trinity 18 Catalans Dragons 38 - wait for first win continues after late collapse
Trinity have made a habit of collapsing after the break this year, but left it late this time, being only two points adrift until Dragons scored three converted tries in the final 12 minutes.
While Catalans were the better team, the 20-point margin didn’t reflect Trinity’s effort - though errors and poor decision-making at crucial times proved costly.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWakefield coach Chris Chester admitted: “It was another disappointing loss, another game where we put in a lot of effort, but [there was] a lack of quality in the team.”
Trinity could have gone ahead in the final quarter, but Liam Kay had a touchdown ruled out for a forward pass and Chester felt that was one of a number of marginal decisions which went against his men.
A penalty and six-again laid the foundation for Catalans’ opening try, after nine minutes.
Ben Garcia and James Maloney moved the ball left and Dean Whare’s fine pass put in-form winger Tom Davies over at the corner for the first of his hat-trick.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe lead was short-lived though, as Catalans failed to complete their set from the restart and Trinity hit straight back through debutant Olly Ashall-Bott.
Signed on an initial two-week loan from Huddersfield Giants, following injuries to Ryan Hampshire and Jacob Miller, the full-back’s smart footwork close to the line, from Mason Lino’s pass, left Catalans’ defence clutching at thin air as he cut through for a superb try,
‘Pressure relievers’ have been frustrating Chester all season, his side having developed a habit of making errors when they seem to have opponents on the ropes.
After Ashall-Bott’s try, Trinity received three successive penalties and then forced a line drop-out, but that was fumbled near half-way by winger Lee Kershaw and within five minutes, the hosts were 10 points behind.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad