A late Jacob Miller penalty try handed Saints a 16-12 defeat to Wakefield on Friday night.

After a disappointing opening 30 minutes that saw them 10-0 down, a try from Adam Swift and a brace from Mark Percival looked set to give the home side the two points.

But Wakefield’s controversial effort four minutes from time took the game away.

Played in shocking monsoon conditions, Sam Williams handed Trinity a early lead, slotting over a penalty from close range in the fifth minute.

Wakefield then forced two drop outs in a 20 minute spell punctuated by driving rain and ‘handling at a premium’ before Mason Caton-Brown dove over the corner.

Williams then made it 10-0 close to the half hour mark with another penalty.

Saints were struggling to make in-roads into the Wakefield half until Theo Fages dummied twice and sent Swift away on the left.

He was hauled down short of the line, won a penalty, and then good handling saw Ryan Morgan score.

Saints deserved the try on balance – but it took a worldie of a tackle from Makinson to stop Kyle Wood extending restoring the advantage.

Keiron Cunningham’s men began the second half on the front foot, forcing two drop outs in succession.

A huge hit on Scott Grix saw them win the first one before a nice kick had Trinity back peddling for the second.

But Saints couldn’t punch it in – Zeb Taia held up close to the line.

They’d had a glimpse and on their next attack they scored.

Winning a penalty from a poor Wakefield play the ball, Saints moved quickly to send the ball into the hands of Percival and he made no mistakein putting down for this 36th in the Red V.

His second of the game came in the 57th minute. Taia was involved, setting up great field position before the ball came left for the centre to burrow his way over.

A big tackle from Swift stopped Caton-Brown scoring on the hour mark, before Saints forced a drop out with 10 minutes to go.

But Miller’s crucial four-pointer proved the difference.

Match Summary:

Saints:

Tries: Morgan, Percival (2)

Goals: Percival (0 from 3),

Trinity:

Tries: Caton-Brown,  Miller

Goals: Williams (4 from 4)

Penalties Awarded:

Saints: 8

Trinity: 5

HT: 4-10

FT: 12-16

REF: James Child

ATT: 9,040

Teams:

Saints:

2. Tommy Makinson; 21. Jack Owens, 3. Ryan Morgan, 4. Mark Percival, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Theo Fages, 24. Danny Richardson; 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 16. Luke Thompson, 12. Jon Wilkin, 18. Dominique Peyroux, 20. Morgan Knowles.

Subs: 10. Kyle Amor, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 15. Adam Walker, 36. Zeb Taia.

Trinity:

1. Scott Grix; 2. Tom Johnstone, 4. Reece Lyne, 3. Bill Tupou, 24. Mason Caton-Brown; 6. Jacob Miller, 14. Sam Williams; 16. Tinirau Arona, 9. Kyle Wood, 17. Craig Huby, 11. Matty Ashurst, 12. Danny Kirmond, 13. Mikey Sio.

Subs: 7. Liam Finn, 20. David Fifita, 25. Anthony Walker, 27. James Batchelor.

Saints Line up

2 Tommy Makinson
21 Jack Owens
Ryan Morgan
4 Mark Percival
18 Adam Swift
7 Theo Fages
7 Danny Richardson
8 Alex Walmsley
James Roby
10 Luke Thompson
12 Jon Wilkin
12 Dominique Peyroux
13 Morgan Knowles
18 Kyle Amor
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
15 Adam Walker
11 Zeb Taia

Wakefield Trinity Line up

1Scott Grix
2Tom Johnstone
3Reece Lyne
4Bill Tupou
5Mason Caton-Brown
6Jacob Miller
7Sam Williams
8Tinirau Arona
9Kyle Wood
10Craig Huby
11Matty Ashurst
12Danny Kirmond
13Mikey Sio
14Liam Finn
15David Fifita
16Anthony Walker
17James Batchelor

Last updated 17 May 17 21:12:35

79'

Penalty to Saints, but there’s not enough time.

77'
Goal
Sam Williams for Wakefield Trinity
77'
Try
Jacob Miller for Wakefield Trinity

Looked a knock on, but it’s given

73'

We’re off upstairs for a Wakefield try…

73'

Saints have a chance – ball goes to ground. Penalty Wakefield and they are in Saints 40.

70'

Wakefield have to drop out following Percy’s kick.

70'

Penalty to Saints after Swift is taken in the air.

68'

Little scrappy from both sides at the moment.

66'

Fantastic stuff from Saints, inventive, great handling but Wakefield just about stop the danger.

65'

Crunching hit from Knowles stops that set!

65'

Penalty to Wakefield – big set from Saints needed here.

63'

High shot on Taia – Saints penalty

60'

A big tackle from Swift stopped Caton-Brown scoring

56'
Try
Mark Percival for Saints

Percy over for his second – running a cracking angle and showing great strength.

55'

Saints knocking on the door again

54'

Zeb lively on his debut. Saints rolling off the back of him and Roby.

49'
Try
Mark Percival for Saints

Flowing move and Percy is over!

48'

Penalty for Saints

47'

Taia close but Trinity hold firm.

46'

Another drop out for Saints

45'

Huge hit on Grix!

45'

Saints force drop out after towering bomb.

44'

Zeb Taia comes on to make his debut. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook off.

43'

Kick from Saints, Wakefield in their own 20. Good D getting the fans going.

40'

Controlled set from Saints. First try is crucial in this one!

40'
Kick Off

Wakefield get the half underway

40'
HT

Saints trailing by six at the break.

39'

Try saver from Tommy Makinson on Kyle Wood

36'
Try
Ryan Morgan for Saints

Nice play from Saints – Fages lets Swift go. Penalty follows and then Ryan Morgan scores

34'

Roby tries a little chip through but Grix snaffles up the ball.

33'

Saints win a penalty

32'

Relieving kick from Fages, but Wakefield are back in Saints’ 20 once more.

30'

Decent defensive set from Saints but it has been all Wakefield in terms of possession and territory this half.

28'
Goal
Sam Williams for Wakefield Trinity
28'

Saints attempting to go down the left hand side but the ball goes to ground.

24'

Wakefield slowing up the play the ball to aplomb – Saints can’t get out of their own 40.

23'
Goal
Sam Williams for Wakefield Trinity
23'
Try
Mason Caton-Brown for Wakefield Trinity

Video referee makes the call after the drop out. Wakefield chance their arm and Caton-Brown crosses in the corner.

20'

Wakefield force a drop out

19'

Ball to ground again from the home side.

18'

Saints kick on the fourth – make good metres… and the rain keeps on coming.

16'

Big hit from big Al – another one follows from Theo and the ball is out.

14'

Ball hits the deck in Saints 40 – Ryan Morgan loses it.

14'

Another deep kick from Saints

12'

Theo shows good hands to keep the ball alive… Percival with the kick has Wakefield on their heels

11'

Big hit forces the ball out and then Saints get a penalty

9'

Drop out coming for Saints after kick from Williams.

9'

Saints lose the ball – Wakefield with the scrum in Saints’ territory

8'

Saints want to play today but Sam Williams gives the opposition that early start.

7'
Goal
Sam Williams for Wakefield Trinity
5'

Back to back penalties for the Trinity

4'

Roby links up with Makinson who sends Fages away – but the ball comes out.

1'

Good high take from Tommy Makinson following solid drive from Saints

0'
Kick Off

Saints get this one underway