Wakefield Trinity boss Daryl Powell braced for 'interesting couple of weeks' after top-four twist
Daryl Powell has called on Wakefield Trinity to prime themselves for the Super League play-offs by seeing off rivals to secure a top-four spot.
Trinity confirmed their top-six place with a nervy 28-12 win over York Knights on Saturday, boosting their hopes of a home play-off tie in the process.
Wakefield sit two points clear of Leigh Leopards heading into the penultimate round after taking advantage of their rivals' slip-up against Huddersfield Giants.
"It's good for us," said Powell, whose side host Warrington Wolves before finishing the regular season at Leigh.
"We were given an opportunity and we've taken it to go a couple of points clear. It's in our hands but we know it'll be difficult.
"We know we're in the six, which takes a bit of pressure off. It's just about us really priming ourselves over the next couple of weeks.
"It looks like we're potentially battling for a home or away against Leigh, which sets up an interesting couple of weeks."
The win over the Knights ended Trinity's three-match losing run but Powell's side were made to work hard for the competition points.
The teams were level as the game entered the final quarter before Wakefield scored three late tries to break York's resistance.
"It was a close game so it's a feeling of relief," said Powell.
"We needed to win that game. It puts us in the six, which is a class achievement again. We've got two games to spare as well.
"We've got some work to do after that but I thought we dominated the majority of the game. We got York towards the back end, which I think most teams have been doing.
"We needed to win and when you need to do something, it creates a little bit of tension. I thought there was tension in the crowd and tension in us at times.
"It was an awkward game in wet conditions and York are really competitive and durable. There are areas we'd want to be a little bit better in but overall we did a lot of really good things."
The game marked Mark Applegarth's first return to Belle Vue in Super League. He is backing his old club to make waves in the play-offs after seeing them up close.
"It's great to see them doing well," said Applegarth.
"I don't think anyone will fancy drawing Wakefield in the play-offs and I don't think there's a team they should fear.
"It's pleasing to see different teams in those play-off spots. Rightly so, they'll be classed as a team that can get all the way to the final."