ISAIAH VAGANA and Caius Faatili scored back-to-back tries to give Wakefield Trinity an unassailable lead over Leigh Leopards.
And those scores didn’t just keep their play-off campaign going – they also heat up the battle to be the club’s top-scoring forward this season.
Vagana drew level with Faatili on eight, only to see his fellow New Zealander respond six minutes later and nudge back in front.
“There’s been a little competition between a few of us forwards as to who can score the most this season,” Vagana explained.
“I’ve come in late, and now I think it’s between me and him.”
Vagana only scored three across his first two seasons at the club and crossed for the first time this year in July, meaning he has scored his eight in just seven games.
His try-scoring is only one element of a broad improvement which has impressed coach Daryl Powell and supporters.
“I’ve been pretty happy with how I’ve gone,” Vagana said.
“I had a bit of a rollercoaster year last season, with a lot of ups and down. I went into the off-season with a better mindset.
“I’ve put a bit more work into myself. I think I came back in the best shape I could have, and it snowballed from there.
“It feels good to improve each week, to solidify a spot in the team, and be a player the other boys want to play alongside. That’s been a massive achievement.”
Reflecting on the win, he said: “It was a really physical game, like it always is against Leigh, and there’s a different level to play-off footy.
“We knew we had to start fast and take the game to them, and I think we did that.”