Trinity survive Red Devils comeback to record 30-24 win

Wakefield Trinity survived a second-half scare from Salford to record a 30-24 and their third win of the 2022 Super League season in a true ‘game of two halves’. 

A brace of tries from Tom Johnstone in the first half saw Trinity take a 24-4 lead at halftime, but a resilient showing from Salford in the second period saw Paul Rowley’s side almost come back with Ken Sio grabbing a brace of his own. 

After a cagey eight minutes, it was Wakefield Trinity who took the lead when winger Tom Johnstone broke freely through the Salford defensive line passing inside to the waiting halfback Jacob Miller who touched down with fullback Max Jowitt slotting the ball over the sticks. 

Salford put up the perfect response with sustained pressure on the Trinity goal line with the ball being worked to Wales international Rhys Williams who strolled over in the corner. 

Wakefield continued to pile on the pressure, keeping momentum with themselves with Jacob Miller turning from try scorer to try provider.

Returning the favour, Miller put a well-placed kick to Tom Johnstone who leapt like a salmon to touch down for his first of two tries in the opening forty minutes as Willie Poaching’s side extended their lead to 10-4 after 18 minutes. 

Poor discipline and ball-handling continued to be the Red Devils’ downfall as their defensive frailties continued. 

Willie Poaching’s side continued their attacking and expansive style of rugby with Tom Johnstone collecting the ball in Salford’s in-goal area racing away to the halfway line before being tackled.

The ball was worked well on the next tackle finding its way to centre Reece Lyne who won a one on one touching down under the posts at the 33-minute mark to make it 16-4. 

On the stroke of half time, winger Tom Johnstone produced another piece of magic that the Trinity faithful have seen time and time again, with the 26-year-old making a darting run inside skipping past the Salford defence to touch down under the sticks to make it 22-4 with Jowitt kicking his fourth conversion of the afternoon.

The half-hooter sounded with Wakefield controlling the game in all departments, however, the second half would provide for an entertaining Super League fixture. 

Discipline went from being Salford’s downfall to being Wakefield’s concern with the first try of the second half coming on the back of a penalty. 

Paul Rowley’s side has the numbers available on the overlap with former Barrow and Widnes man Deon Cross scoring to make it 24-8 with Sneyd kicking his first and only conversion of the fixture. 

The next score went Salford’s way with it being a replica of the one scored by Cross with the Red Devils once again creating an overlap with Sneyd dragging his kick wide as the score went to 24- 14. 

Despite having a 100% record with the boot, Max Jowitt was to blame for the next Salford score with sustained pressure being put on Trinity’s line.

A goal-line drop out from Jowitt was kicked short and into the hands of winger Rhys Williams who strolled in to make it 24-18 with Jowitt putting his hands on his head in frustration afterwards. 

Fresh air was created between Wakefield and Salford with eight minutes of the match to go when a kick from Jacob Miller was pattered down to the waiting Jay Pitts who crashed over to make it 28-18. 

A consolation try was scored on the hooter as Ken Sio went over for his second of the game as Wakefield held on for a 30-24 victory and move up to sixth in the Super League standings. 

Wakefield Lineup: Max Jowitt, Tom Johnstone, Corey Hall, Reece Lyne, Liam Kay, Jacob Miller, Mason Lino, Kelepi Tanginoa, Liam Hood, Tinirau Arona, Matty Ashurst, Jay Pitts, James Batchelor.

INTERCHANGES: Eddie Battye, Jai Whitbread, Jordy Crowther, Yusuf Aydin.

Tries: Miller (9) Johnstone (17,39) Lyne (31) 

Goals: Jowitt 5/5

Salford Lineup: Ryan Brierley, Rhys Williams, Deon Cross, Tim Lafai, Ken Sio, Brodie Croft, Marc Sneyd, King Vuniyawa, Andy Ackers, Alex Gerrard, Elijah Taylor, Ryan Lannon, Jack Ormondroyd.

INTERCHANGES: Sitaleki Akauola, Greg Burke, Chris Atkin, Sam Luckley

Tries: Cross (46) Sio (54,80) Williams (11,66)

Goals: Sneyd 2/5

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