Smith’s late penalty seals win as Wakefield leapfrog Widnes

A 30-metre penalty from Lee Smith stretched the Wildcats’ advantage to eight points four minutes from time, before Phil Joseph’s late try – converted by Kevin Brown – gave the scoreline a tighter look.

The result lifted Wakefield, who had led 16-12 at half-time, to 10th in the standings and boosted their play-off hopes.

Widnes, who had lost the last four matches against Wakefield, were missing Alex Gerrard, Shaun Briscoe, Ben Kavanagh, Paddy Flynn, Jack Owens and Grant Gore but welcomed back Gareth Hock, Ben Cross, Eamonn O’Carroll, Cameron Phelps, Chris Dean and Rhys Hanbury.

Wakefield brought back a clutch of players who missed the cup romp at Hemel, with Richard Mathers and Justin Poore their only injury absentees.

The Wildcats had won only one of their last eight Super League matches – against Castleford in March – and had Ali Lauitiiti making his 250th appearance in the British game.

Wakefield made a flying start, Paul Aiton bagging their first try after only 37 seconds.

Dean Collis broke clear and his inside kick bounced awkwardly for Willie Isa, with Aiton collecting to romp over and Paul Sykes converting.

But Widnes were level in the sixth minute, Brown touching down after his kick eluded Lee Smith.

Peter Fox’s ankle tap denied Hanbury before Hock lost the ball over the line.

It proved costly as Tim Smith dummied his way over to make it 12-6 midway through the first half.

Patrick Ah Van and Brown combined smartly to go close to a second Widnes try in a free-flowing, open contest.

The Wildcats extended their lead to 16-6 when Ben Cockayne cut inside Isa from Sykes’ long pass.

Cockayne had a second try disallowed by video referee Steve Ganson from a Tim Smith kick, with Widnes under the cosh.

But the Vikings hit back eight minutes before the break, Lee Smith fumbling Hanbury’s kick and Dean sending Joe Mellor scampering over to reduce the gap to 16-12.

Widnes levelled six minutes after the restart when Brown’s kick was smartly flicked back by Ah Van for the stand-off to grab his second try.

Ah Van’s conversion attempt hit the post to deny the Vikings the lead, though.

Denis Betts’ side then lost Isa to an arm injury but went in front for the first time with captain Jon Clarke and Mellor combining to put Dean over in the corner to make it 20-16.

Eamon O’Carroll’s mistake allowed Lee Smith to notch the Wildcats’ fourth try, with Sykes’ conversion edging his side back in front at 22-20.

Then Oliver Wilkes powered the visitors further ahead with a scintillating 40-metre run, brushing off rival prop Cross en route.

Sykes hit the post with the conversion attempt.

Mellor had a try ruled out for Widnes by the video referee before Lee Smith struck a 76th-minute penalty after Sykes had failed with a drop-goal effort.

To complete a disappointing night for Widnes, Cross was carried off on a stretcher four minutes from time before Hanbury hobbled off.

Joseph went over in the last minute for Widnes and Brown converted, but the Wildcats deserved their victory.

Widnes: Hanbury, Isa, Dean, Phelps, Ah Van, K. Brown, Mellor, Cross, Clarke, O’Carroll, Winterstein, Hock, Leuluai. Substitutes: Pickersgill, White, Joseph, Lawton.

Wakefield Trinity: L. Smith, Fox, Collis, Lyne, Cockayne, Sykes, T. Smith, Wilkes, Aiton, Raleigh, Lauitiiti, Kirmond, Washbrook. Substitutes: Wood, Amor, Mellars, Annakin.

Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield).