Wakefield fall short against French opposition in round one

Tom Johnstone comes back to haunt Wakefield as Catalans overcome a tough test at Belle Vue last night.

Super League is back for another year at Belle Vue, as Wakefield Trinity kicked off their 2023 season at home to Catalans.

It was Wakefield that started the brighter team. They made the first breakthrough in the 9^th minute when Max Jowitt crossed over following a good set. Mason Lino added the extras to make it 6-0. The following 10 minutes returned to the cagey affair, both teams built up sets to test each other out. Wakefield utilised the strong carrying of debutant Renouf Atoni to punch holes through the middle, and they got the ball out wide quickly to pose questions to Catalans. In response, Catalans played through their tackles and adopted a strong kicking game to put the pressure on Wakefield, which resulted in their first points.

In the 20^th minute, Catalans kicking game got them on the scoreboard. A grubber kick caused confusion in Trinity’s in-goal area, and Matthieu Laguerre pounced to score and make it 6-4. Another grubber kick helped Catalans add their second try of the night, with former Trinity winger Tom Johnstone getting his name on the scoresheet on his return to Belle Vue. Adam Keighran added the extras to make it 6-10.

Wakefield responded quickly, a knock-on from Manu Mau in Catalans 20 gave Wakefield good field position. Corey Hill crossed over from close distance to give Wakefield, and Lino converted to make it 12-10 to give Wakefield the lead again.

Catalans retaliated in strong fashion as they took the lead again in the 32^nd minute thanks to Johnstone, who grabbed his second of the night. Keighran’s conversion made the score 12-16.

The French side came out strong after the break. Tom Johnstone completed a fine hat-trick against his former club as he was on the end of a fine Catalans move.

Wakefield went back up the pitch, and on the 50^th minute came within inches of scoring, but they capitalised a minute later as Matty Ashurst crossed the white wash, and with Lino adding the goal Wakefield were back within two points, 18-20.

The next 10 minutes were dominated by Catalans, and especially winger Tom Davies. In the 63^rd minute, he crossed over for his first. He added to this six minutes later as he pounced on yet another grubber kick to help Catalans race to an 18-32 lead.

Wakefield pulled one back through Lee Gaskell in the 70^th minute to give them hopes of a great comeback, but these were to be dashed as Cesar Rouge intercepted a pass deep in Wakefield’s half to score on the stroke of full-time as the game finished Wakefield Trinity 24-38 Catalans Dragons.

Wakefield put up a good fight for the majority of the game, and will have plenty of positives to take into their next match against Wigan. Catalans were able to unlock the stern Wakefield defence, and they will be looking to build on this as they take on Leigh in round two.

Attendance: 4077

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