Betfred Super League
Wakefield (0) 13
Tries: Smith, Jowitt Goals: Jowitt 2 Drop-goal: Lino
Castleford (12) 12
Tries: Qareqare 2, Wood
Mason Lino’s late drop-goal completed a second-half Wakefield Trinity comeback as they snapped a run of nine consecutive home defeats by Castleford Tigers.
The struggling Tigers, who have won just once in Super League this season, looked set to double that tally after Jason Qareqare’s two first-half tries and another for Sam Wood put them 12-0 up at half-time.
However, Rowan Milnes’ failure to add any of the extras kept the door open for Trinity, who fought back to level after the interval through converted scores by Harvey Smith and Max Jowitt.
With just four minutes remaining, Lino scrambled a drop-goal just over the posts to edge Wakefield in front for the first time and secure the win that lifts them to seventh in the table.
Arriving at Belle Vue on the back of three straight defeats, Castleford might have scored early as Zac Cini sped down the right flank but Tom Johnstone’s crucial tackle bundled him into touch.
However, the visitors’ opening try came from a lightning counter-attack as full-back Tex Hoy clasped Corey Hall’s kick deep inside his own territory and zigzagged past several challenges before releasing Qareqare for an unstoppable run all the way to the line.
Despite plenty of possession, Wakefield’s attacks foundered on a combination of sloppy passing and gritty Cas defence and Mike McMeeken squandered a chance to hit back when he knocked on Lino’s kick just under the posts.
Instead, the Tigers extended their lead as Wood soared to gather Milnes’ precision kick and ground it safely and Qareqare, accelerating into space once again, collected another ball from Milnes and held off his man to make it 12-0.
Milnes hooked all three of his first-half conversion opportunities wide, ensuring Wakefield remained very much within sight of their visitors at half-time but their frustration initially continued after the turnaround.
Hoy’s tackle somehow denied Johnstone after a storming run from well inside his own half and Jay Pitts was also kept out right on the line thanks to a last-minute interception by Liam Horne.
Wakefield pressure eventually paid dividends, however, as Smith dived over from dummy half and it looked as though Lino had added a second try, twisting across from close range.
Video referee Ben Thaler overturned the on-field decision, ruling that Jeremiah Simbiken had done enough to prevent Lino grounding the ball but the home side did score later in the set as Jowitt stretched to find the whitewash.
Milnes could have redeemed himself with a drop-goal attempt from distance, but the kick sailed off target and Wakefield surged upfield again, with Lino keeping his nerve to settle the contest.
Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell told BBC Radio Leeds:
“First half we started with such a loose attitude to finishing our sets and I thought Castleford had a great intent about them, they used the pace pretty well and got points on us early.
“I thought we just handed them energy and they took it pretty well. They got a couple of tries from kicks which we didn’t defend well and luckily their goal-kicking was a little bit off.
“That gave us an opportunity to come back into the game but it still took us quite a long time. Luckily for us, it fell out in our favour and I’m really pleased to win but we’ve got a lot to fix up, toughen up a little bit mentally and make sure we play a little bit better in the first half.
“We’re four (wins) from eight and if you looked at the fixture list you’d have said that’d be pretty tough to get.”
Castleford Tigers head coach Danny McGuire told BBC Radio Leeds:
“I’m obviously disappointed with the result but really proud of the performance, especially the first half we were really clinical and disciplined.
“We had good attitude, working hard for each other. I thought we were the better team for the majority of the game.
“Second half they had momentum and territory, we battled and stuck in there and it was ugly at times. I hate losing, but we’ll learn lessons and be better for it.
“There was a collective will to play tough, we’ve had some moments this year where we’ve looked a really good team we just need to do it consistently, do it next week and the week after.”
Wakefield: Jowitt; Scott, Hall, Pratt, Johnstone; Pitts, Lino; McMeeken, Hood, Rodwell, Nikotemo, Griffin, Cozza.
Interchanges: Hamlin-Uele, Atoni, Smith, Faatili.
Castleford: Hoy; Simm, Cini, Wood, Qareqare; Asi, Milnes; Okoro, Horne, Lawler, Simbiken, Mellor, Mustapha.
Interchanges: Westerman, Rimbu, Salabio, Dezaria.
Referee: Aaron Moore
