Saints get sixth win in a row at Wakefield

Paul Wellens welcomed back to his matchday squad two senior players in the shape of Matty Lees for his pack, and Konrad Hurrell for the outside backs.

🔒 Your Saints line-up for today’s away game against @WTrinityRL is now locked in!

Matty Lees and Konrad Hurrell are back and start!

We’ll be keeping Saints fans updated with our Live Match Centre 👇#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 3, 2023

Hurrell made an immediate impact with his first carry of the game, bulldozing his opposite man and breaking the line. With Jonny Lomax in support the Tongan centre passed inside for the opening score of the game, with Mark Percival adding the kick – just four minutes in, 0-6.

Wakefield despite their league position would scrap and fight all game long, evidenced by the hosts striking back quickly on the back of a loose ball doubled with a penalty moving them close. Former Saint Matty Ashurst off a short pass in the tackle scored for the Trin, which Will Dagger converted, 6-6.

The cya later from @KonmanHurrell 👋@Saints1890 have an early lead through Jonny Lomax 😇#SuperLeague #SLWakStH pic.twitter.com/eSy3WnhjHV

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 3, 2023

The game was cagey throughout, both sides coughed up errors under the hot sun, Welsby would try a big pass by the halfway line to Makinson which would not stick. However, minutes later he went for it again, this time by the try-line and Makinson dived in for the second try which went unconverted, 6-10.

Konrad Hurrell around 20 minutes into his return unfortunately had to leave the field with what looked to be a calf injury. In came Sam Royle.

Trinity began speeding up and controlling the ruck which gave them a lot of momentum on their home turf. Chances came for the relegation battling side but not to be taken.

Five minutes left in the half, Lewis Dodd lofted a high kick to the stand-in fullback for Wakefield, Romain Franco due to Will Dagger suffering an injury. With Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook leading the chase, the Southern Saint tried a tap back but missed and Franco knocked on into the hands of James Roby. Our #9 collected and grounded the ball for his first try in his final season, and Percival kicked the extras to make it 6-14.

A first try of the season for James Roby ☝️@Saints1890 lead by 14 at the break 👊#SuperLeague #SLWakStH pic.twitter.com/iCdE5tt6u7

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 3, 2023

In the back end of the first half, Saints’ completion rates grew stronger and allowed more opportunities to attack. Jon Bennison would finish off in the corner after Jack Welsby and Sam Royle on the left-edge offloaded in tackles, Percival provided a final killer pass for the winger to dive in for an unconverted try, 6-20, just before the break.

Following the restart, Wakefield made the most of Saints errors and on the back of another penalty shaped up on their left wing for Lee Kershaw to finish at the corner, the kick was missed making it 10-20.

Ten minutes into the second act and Franco again provided a costly mistake. In a tackle with Mata’utia he lost the ball with Makinson nearby, and Tommy didn’t need telling twice to pick up and go sprinting 30m uncontested for a gift of a score. Percival kicked the extras, 10-26.

Mata’utia again tackling well could cut down the Trin’s next threat moments later with Wellens’ men camped on their own line.

Lomax commanding as ever took the shortside on the left passing to Percival and whilst being tackled the testimonial man passed out to Bennison. The winger lured the Wakefield last man before passing back in to Dodd for our last try of the afternoon, with Percival nudging us to a 10-32 lead near the hour mark.

Errors crept back in for both sides, with neither getting much fluency in the match, but it was a physical contest as was shown by James Bell missing the top third of the back of his shirt!

With under two minutes left, Wakefield would have the final say. Kershaw grabbed his brace off a good, blind pass around the back for a dive in. Lino added the kick just before the hooter went for a 16-32 finish.

Match Summary

Wakefield Trinity

Team: Will Dagger, Innes Senior, Romain Franco, Jack Croft, Lee Kershaw, Mason Lino, Luke Gale, Josh Bowden, Liam Hood, Renouf Atoni, Matty Ashurst, Josh Griffin, and Jay Pitts.

Interchanges: Liam Kay, David Fifita, Eddie Battye, and Sam Eseh. 18th player: Harry Bowes

Tries: Ashurt (8), Kershaw (47, 77)

Conversions: Dagger (1/1), Lino (1/2)

St.Helens