Coach Daryl Powell adamant Wakefield Trinity will turn season around soon
Warrington Wolves 27 Wakefield Trinity 16 Wakefield Trinity coach Daryl Powell admitted he is disappointed with his side’s start to the Super League season but is refusing to panic.
Trinity have won just once in their opening three league games, after a 27-16 defeat to Powell’s former club, Warrington Wolves.
After also losing to Toulouse in their opening league game, Wakefield boss Powell has called for a sense of perspective.
Powell said: “We are looking to get some fitness into some of the players who missed key moments in pre-season and I think we are getting better.
“I have been a little bit disappointed with the start – one (win) from three – I would like it to be better than that.
“Hull is a big game for us, win that and we are two from four, the same as we were last year.”
After Marc Sneyd kicked a penalty to edge the Wolves ahead, Toafofoa Sipley bundled himself over in the 33rd minute and grounded the ball after initially being held up on the line. Following a lengthy review by the video referee, the try was given.
The visitors maintained their momentum with a second try just three minutes later after a break from Danny Walker and Albert Hopoate went over under the posts.
Just before half-time, Sipley was shown a yellow card for repeated fouls and Max Jowitt kicked over the resulting penalty as Warrington took a 14-2 lead into the break.
Wakefield rallied at the start of the second half, making their advantage count when Jake Trueman’s looping pass out to the left found Jayden Myers who dived over in the corner.
But Warrington hit straight back when Sneyd’s kick was touched down by Josh Smith before another penalty restored their lead at 22-10 just after the hour.
Trinity, though, showed great spirit to come again with 10 minutes left through Oliver Pratt’s try after a kick through from Jack Sinfield, which Jowitt converted.
Warrington eventually made sure of victory in the 78th minute with a well-worked try when a precise kick from Sneyd towards the corner was patted back by Smith and Toby King crashed over.
“The way the game is going, it will take teams eight to 10 weeks to figure it out, and it’s the same with us,” Wolves head coach Sam Burgess said.