Wakefield lose game and record but Kear still full of praise

They entertain Huddersfield Giants on Saturday hoping to get back to winning ways after losing their 100 per cent record at St Helens.

But coach Kear saw enough in that narrow 22-16 reverse against last season's beaten Grand Finalists to suggest his squad – who had already defeated Super League champions Leeds Rhinos – will be capable of mounting a serious challenge.

"There were some encouraging signs for us, even though we are disappointed with the scoreboard," he said, after his side frightened Saints by building up an early 12-0 lead.

"I am happy with how the team is developing and it was another step in the right direction.

"It might not be result wise but certainly was performance wise.

"I thought we showed great spirit and resolution. Defensively we were very good indeed but we killed ourselves with fundamental errors at vital times."

It was Wakefield's brave defensive effort when St Helens – with Leon Pryce and Keiron Cunningham at their supreme best – started rolling forward in the third quarter of the contest that caught Kear's eye.

The game inevitably swung back in Saints' favour during that sustained period of attack but Wakefield refused to capitulate when so many others have at Knowsley Road.

"In the first 15 sets of the half, they had 12 and we only had three," said Kear, illustrating the magnitude of St Helens' control.

"We really were under the pump but that's the period of the game that pleased me the most because if we can defend like that against a team like St Helens and can carry that resolution, determination, organisation and structure into other games we'll be okay this season."

Saints needed a flash of brilliance from England scrum-half Kyle Eastmond and old stager Cunningham to eventually break them open but Wakefield showed great stamina after their huge defensive stint to hit back and stage a dramatic late finish.

They lost influential scrum half Danny Brough with a badly-cut head but Kear did not feel the injury was crucial to the outcome and he will be fit for the Huddersfield encounter.

Meanwhile, the coach was delighted by the performance of young hooker James Davey who came off the bench for only his second Super League game.

Academy product Davey, 20, took the place of sacked drugs cheat Terry Newton and showed some lively play from dummy half.

"I was real pleased with him," said Kear. "James didn't look out of place at all. That was very heartening."