Wakefield Trinity 26 Hull KR 24: Hyde holds his nerve to steer Wakefield to victory

Fortunate Wakefield Trinity played out there own version yesterday when Kieran Hyde held his nerve to kick a penalty after the final hooter and finally settle a see-saw encounter.

It should never have got to that point. Indeed, Hull KR could have been humming the famous theme tune themselves having played awfully, trailed 20-6 in the 54th minute yet somehow rallied to get back in front.

However, Trinity recovered from their own malaise, captain Glenn Morrison producing a typically robust tackle to win back possession and set up position for Josh Griffin’s equalising try in the 75th minute.

Then, when Ben Galea made the latest of a long line of Rovers errors, dropping a standard pass yards from his own line, the hosts pressed forward once more with seconds remaining.

The impressive hooker Julien Rinadli, who had orchestrated Wildcats all afternoon, surged for the line rather than opting to set up a drop goal attempt and a desperate defender ripped possession clear.

Referee Phil Bentham awarded the penalty and Hyde, just to the left of the posts, made no mistake sparing the blushes of Griffin who had inexlicably missed a similar conversion attempt when Kyke Amor had gone over for the game’s opening try in the seventh minute.

It had been one of those bizarre end-of-Easter games – jaded players, toiling and producing the effort but not quite the quality.

Rovers barely completed a set in the first half as a succession of players made a litany of mistakes and it seemed Trinity may pay for only leading 8-6 at the interval.

After Morrison had surged close off Tommy Lee’s clever inside ball there was no stopping Amor from close range as Rinaldi found the Leeds Rhinos loanee prop but Griffin endured his embarrassing moment.

Rovers should have responded when swift hands saw Kris Welham race clear and find Ben Cockayne but Matt Blaymire defused the try-scoring situation with a big tackle which dislodged the ball.

However, on the back of their first penalty, and with Rovers’ first real solid position, the full-back did cross, Blake Green stepping back inside to fool Wakefield’s defence with Cockayne on hand to profit.

Michael Dobson converted but Trinity remained more thoughtful and respectful with their possession.

Cockayne lost the ball following another forceful tackle from Frankie Mariano meaning Rovers had to scramble to deny Chris Dean.

However, when Richard Beaumont became the latest erring Rovers player to squander the ball inside his own half the rangy centre did not miss again.

Lee and Stuart Howarth combined well for Dean to slide in on 20 minutes, Griffin again unable to improve.

When Josh Hodgson dropped a pass, under no pressure, direct from a scrum 20 metres from his own line, Trinity must have thought it was Christmas let alone Easter.

Then Sam Latus failed to take a Lee kick and even the calm-headed Dobson suffered from the on-going trauma as he embarrassingly lost control trying to throw a dummy.

It was farcical, but wasteful Trinity – who had won at Castleford on Good Friday before losing to Wigan – could not capitalise.

Thankfully, John Kear’s side did score the first points of the second half to give themselves some reward and the confidence to push on.

Typically it came from another Rovers error, this time the usually reliable Kris Welham fumbling coming out of his own 20-metre area. Soon after, James Davey scooted out of acting half, showing great acceleration and strength to stretch over a surprised visiting defence, Hyde successfully taking over the kicking duties.

When Welham got caught out again, being caught near halfway when trying to run on the last tackle, they were further punished in the 51st minute.

Decent handling to the left, Morrison providing the final delivery, saw Aaron Murphy brilliantly stoop to take possession before cutting infield and finishing in style, Hyde converting one more.

However, when the otherwise impressive Liam Higgins failed to play the ball properly, Welham scythed through from 35 metres three minutes later and Dobson kicked the extras.

After Amor knocked on too in similar circumstances, it seemed Rovers’ tendencies had become contagious.

Hodgson zipped over from dummy half only to see Wakefield rip possession and concede a penalty.

However, a little magic from Green saw his splendid inside pass give Rovers full-back Cockayne in for a try which Dobson converted to make it 20-18 on the hour mark.

Wakefield, after at last escaping their own half, declined a simple penalty shot with 16 minutes to go and it looked to have backfired when, after Mick Vella’s loose off-load, Galea put Scott Wheeldon racing down the touchline for Green to score and Dobson convert.

But then came Morrison’s crucial input, winning back the ball for Lee to chip to the corner and see Griffin spectacularly leap above Peter Fox to collect.

Hyde could not improve but he did not fail when it mattered most in those dramatic final seconds.

Wakefield Trinity: Blaymire; George, Dean, Murphy, Griffin; Hyde, Lee; Amor, Rinaldi, P Johnson, Morrison, Mariano, Howarth. Substitutes: McCarthy, King, Davey, Higgins.

Hull KR: Cockayne; Fox, Hall, Welham, Latus; Green, Dobson; Vella, Fisher, Wheeldon, Galea, Cook, Murrell. Substitutes: Netherton, Beaumont, Hodgson, Taylor.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).