Saints v Wakefield Trinity

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.