Video - Wakefield Trinity 25 Catalans Dragons 24 - Jacob Miller full of surprises to the delight of boss Chris Chester

A REMARKABLE long-range drop goal by stand-off Jacob Miller kept Wakefield Trinity's bandwagon rolling and edged them closer to a place in the Super-8s.
Wakefield Wildcat's Jacob Miller celebrates his winning drop goal. Picture: Richard Sellers/PAWakefield Wildcat's Jacob Miller celebrates his winning drop goal. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA
Wakefield Wildcat's Jacob Miller celebrates his winning drop goal. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA

Wakefield, who were 11 points adrift at the bottom of the table when Super League split last season, have won nine of their 10 games since Chris Chester took over as coach at Easter and are up to sixth, just four points outside the top-four.

It seemed their bubble may have burst when they trailed 14-0 in the first half, but they hit back to lead in the third quarter and had the energy to respond late on after Catalans had snatched back the advantage. Mickael Simon’s try against his former club and Liam Finn’s fourth conversion levelled the scores and set up a dramatic finale in which Pat Richards missed with a straight-forward penalty attempt three minutes from time.

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His kick hit a post and bounced to Wakefield’s Chris Annakin and at the end of that set Miller sent the ball between the sticks from half-way to seal a famous 25-24 victory – to Chester’s delight and surprise.

Wakefield Wildcat's Jacob Miller celebrates his winning drop goal. Picture: Richard Sellers/PAWakefield Wildcat's Jacob Miller celebrates his winning drop goal. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA
Wakefield Wildcat's Jacob Miller celebrates his winning drop goal. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA

“I thought he had no chance, to be honest, but I am pleased he got it through the posts,” said the coach.

“It shows the confidence of Milky (Miller) at the minute.

“He’s enjoying his rugby and I thought he was superb again for us.”

Justin Horo, Jodie Broughton and Tony Gigot scored first-half tries for Catalans, before Ben Jones-Bishop hit back to make it 14-6 at the interval.

Wakefield Wildcat's Jacob Miller celebrates his winning drop goal. Picture: Richard Sellers/PAWakefield Wildcat's Jacob Miller celebrates his winning drop goal. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA
Wakefield Wildcat's Jacob Miller celebrates his winning drop goal. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA
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Jones-Bishop crossed again and Mikey Sio touched down, but tries by Vincent Duport and Broughton edged Catalans back in front, although crucially Richards was only abkle to convert twice.

Wakefield Trinity: Jowitt, Jones-Bishop, Hall, Arundel, Johnstone, Miller, Finn, Scruton, Sio, Simon, Ashurst, Kirmond, A Tupou. Substitutes: B Tupou, Arona, Anderson, Annakin.

Catalans Dragons: Gigot, Broughton, Horo, Duport, Richards, Carney, Bosc, Taylor, Pelissier, Casty, Stewart, Anderson, Baitieri. Substitutes: Bousquet, Mounis, Mason, Da Costa.

Referee: Chris Campbell (Warrington).