Wakefield’s great escape as rivals Tigers suffer relegation agony

Suffering relegation from Super League is bad enough. Doing so at the hands of their fiercest rivals for the second time in just three years left even the hardest of rugby league fans slightly sympathetic to the Tigers’ plight.

However, just as their misery was amplified so was the class and remarkable strength of character shown by John Kear’s heroic Wakefield side on this spine-tingling final-night decider,

Dubbed the ‘£1m Match’ given each side knew they would drop out of the elite if they lost, ruthless Trinity held their nerve in the most pressurised of circumstances.

With 11,000 fans crammed in to a rocking Belle Vue, their biggest crowd in 31 years, plus countless other perched on rooftops outside trying to get a glimpse of the unfolding drama, it made perfect television for the Sky TV cameras.

It is the classic example people thrust forward now when the on-going debate about relegation and promotion rears its head; the licence system will never produce such vintage television even if that was hardly any comfort for heartbroken Castleford.

Wakefield’s great escape was all the more remarkable though considering they were 8-1 on to suffer demotion when Kear took charge just two months earlier.

They needed to win four of their last six games yet had triumphed just SIX times all season.

However, Kear, who had arrived in late July following Tony Smith’s sacking, used his famous man-management skills to turn them around.

They were still three points adrift with two games to go but a shock win at Bradford meant somehow their destiny was in their own hands at the last act.

Jamie Rooney gave Wakefield an early lead with a penalty but Tigers’ Willie Manu soon dived on Danny Brough’s grubber, the creator converting to make it 6-2.

Wildcats’ Ben Jeffries then raced 70 metres for a ‘try’ but was denied by the video referee due to an obstruction in backplay, a particularly harsh decision.

Castleford – who knew even a draw would be enough to save them – added a second try through winger Adam Fletcher and Brough’s drop-goal made it 11-2 but the hosts finally roused into action in the 10 minutes leading up to the break.

They needed a fair bit of good fortune though; a lucky kick saw James Evans score and officials missed David Solomona’s knock-on ahead of Jason Demetriou’s next effort.

Rooney converted both for a 14-11 half-time advantage but the lead changed hands twice more soon after the re-start as nerves started to fray.

Castleford captain Danny Nutley, the mountainous Australian prop playing his last match before heading home, crashed over for Brough to improve but then Brough, crucially, kicked out on the full and Monty Betham made him pay.

That proved a real turning point. Rooney maintained his 100 per cent record while Terry Matterson looked to 38-year-old Brad Davis to weave his magic in the final quarter.

Tigers’ Ryan McGoldrick did reach the line only to be held up and their best chance went. Wakefield’s Kevin Henderson crossed, Rooney missed the shot but stretched the lead with a drop-goal before Evans got his second and Castleford’s disconsolate players were left on their haunches, heads bowed, tears flowing yet again.