Wakefield add to Leigh’s early-season woes

Betfred Super League

Wakefield (8) 18

Tries: Tevaga, Myers, Pratt Goals: Jowitt 3

Leigh (4) 14

Wakefield exacted a measure of revenge for their elimination by Leigh in last season’s play-offs as the Leopards’ poor start to the Super League campaign continued.

Leigh, who finished third last season, scored two late tries to deliver a tight scoreline but a fourth defeat in five means they remain second from bottom.

They have been hit hard by early-season injuries, with head coach Adrian Lam revealing before kick-off he is down to 18 fit players, but they were architects of their own downfall at the DIY Kitchens Stadium with their indiscipline.

Wakefield led 8-4 at the break. Loose forward Jazz Tevaga gave them the lead with his first try for the club in the 11th minute, with some late footwork taking the impressive Samoan outside Isaac Liu close to the Leigh line to go over.

Leigh came close in the 19th minute but Tom Johnstone, making his 200th career appearance, prevented stand-in centre Hughes grounding the ball over the line.

Wakefield’s Jayden Myers had a try disallowed for a foot in touch as he launched himself in at the right-hand corner after some fine defence from Innes Senior.

But after Caius Faatili spilled possession in a tackle by Liam Horne from the kick-off, Leigh punished Trinity with full-back Gareth O’Brien forcing his way over for the try to keep them in touch.

Myers stretched Wakefield’s lead within two minutes of the second half starting, as O’Brien failed to deal with Tyson Smoothy’s chip through and presented the try to the winger after Faatili’s agricultural kick on the last tackle had caused confusion in the Leigh ranks.

Brilliant defence from Max Jowitt denied first Tesi Niu, as the full-back got his body under the centre as he crossed the line, and then Senior in the corner.

Leigh also had a try from Frankie Halton ruled out for a knock-on by Horne on a busy night for video referee Liam Moore.

But the loss of Hughes to the sin-bin, for a tackle off the ball just after the hour, proved crucial as Wakefield made the most of the extra man with Ollie Pratt going over in the 64th minute.

Leigh head coach Adrian Lam told BBC Radio Manchester:

“There were some things that really hurt us. The penalty count I think was 7-1 at half-time which was just outrageous.

“It’s very difficult to compete when it’s like that but we hung in there. I’m proud of them for competing right to the very end.

“It was three tries all at the end. If we kick our goals we tie the game but it wasn’t to be.

“We’re there or thereabouts but a long way away – that’s how it feels at the moment.

“We only had 11 players train this week. We’re doing our best. We just have to find a win along the way so next week becomes really, really important to us.

“It’s hard work at the moment but there’s no need to panic.”

Wakefield: Jowitt; Myers, Scott, Pratt, Johnstone; Sinfield, Trueman; McMeeken, Smoothy, Rodwell, Nikotemo, Vagana, Tevaga.

Interchanges: Storton, Pitts, Hamlin-Eule, Faatili.

Leigh: O’Brien; Senior, Niu, Hughes, Charnley; Cook, Lam; Trout, McNamara, Mulhern, Halton, Alick-Wiencke, Liu.

Interchanges: Brogan, Brown, Davis, Horne.