WAKEFIELD TRINITY 16 ST HELENS 46
CALLUM WALKER, DIY Kitchens Stadium, Saturday

ST HELENS stunned Wakefield with a quite remarkable victory to keep their slim top-six chances alive.

Tristan Sailor in particular was impressive, playing centre, halfback and fullback at various points, whilst Jackson Hastings controlled proceedings.

It’s funny how things can change in a week; Saints had somehow lost to Hull FC last time out whilst Wakefield were just a few minutes away from beating Leeds for top spot.

But on this viewing it looked like Saints, who had Nene Macdonald returning, were chasing first.

Saints should have scored almost immediately when Jacob Douglas found space down the right. All he had to do was dive over the line, but the winger chose to inexplicably kick inside, losing the ball in the process.

Trinity lost Josh Rourke to an early HIA following a heavy collision with Lewis Murphy, before Tyson Smoothy burrowed over from dummy-half for the first points on seven minutes. Jack Sinfield converted for a 6-0 lead.

The hosts were on top form at this point and a lovely double-pump from Sinfield found an onrushing Isaiah Vagana who, in the act of scoring, dislocated his shoulder.

The visitors did finally make it third time lucky on 25 minutes after Jack Welsby had thrown the ball into touch as Hastings sent over a sublime chip for Sailor to dot down. Hastings brought Saints back to within four at 10-6.

Momentum was now firmly with the visitors and, following a Jake Trueman knock-on, they shipped the ball left where Murphy finished acrobatically against his former club. Hastings’ brilliant conversion meant Saints now led 12-10.

A Billy Keeley error in his own 20-metre line handed Trinity a chance to strike back – and they almost took it. This time Jayden Myers flew in at the corner, but his leg was in touch.

There was no stopping Wakefield moments later, however, as Sinfield took a neat Matty Storton pass to sprint home from 20 metres. Sinfield himself converted to make it 16-12 at half-time.

And the hosts believed they had scored immediately following the resumption when Lachlan Walmsley, who replaced Tom Johnstone, picked up a loose ball, but Corey Hall was adjudged to have lost possession from a kick.

Saints stemmed the tide with another Murphy acrobatic effort on 48 minutes as Hastings converted superbly for an 18-16 lead.

Murphy limped off as a high tackle on Hall nearly saw Wakefield respond on the hour, but Walmsley was forced into touch by a desperate Sailor.

Hastings missed a penalty-goal but Trinity lost their Captain’s Challenge on a drop-out decision.

And, from that, a wonderful Sailor punt was dropped by Caius Faatili and Keeley was on hand to dot down. Hastings’ conversion made it 24-16 with 15 minutes to go – a period in which they would incredibly score four more times.

A magnificent Welsby break laid the platform for yet another Trinity error from a kick. This time Hastings’ grubber ricocheted perfectly for Sailor to grab his second.

Jake Davies crashed over, when Sailor rounded Hall and scorched over from halfway.

That capped off a wonderful individual Sailor and collective Saints performance, while Davies grabbed another on the hooter, but their fans must have been wondering where such a display had been all season.

GAMESTAR: Though named at centre, Tristan Sailor popped up everywhere for St Helens and scored a hat-trick.

GAMEBREAKER: Tristan Sailor’s try eleven minutes from time secured the two points.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Jackson Hastings’ outside-of-the-boot chip for Tristan Sailor was a thing of beauty.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Tristan Sailor (St Helens)
2 pts Jackson Hastings (St Helens)
1 pt Lewis Murphy (St Helens)

MATCHFACTS

TRINITY
23 Josh Rourke
19 Lachlan Walmsley
3 Cameron Scott
4 Corey Hall
21 Jayden Myers
6 Jake Trueman
20 Jack Sinfield
8 Mike McMeeken
9 Tyson Smoothy
10 Ky Rodwell
18 Isaiah Vagana
12 Matty Storton
13 Jazz Tevaga
Subs (all used)
15 Caleb Hamlin-Uele
16 Caius Faatili
17 Harvey Smith
24 Tray Lolesio
18th man (not used)
32 Will Tate
Also in 21-man squad
1 Max Jowitt
5 Tom Johnstone
25 Jordan Williams

Tries: Smoothy (7), Vagana (12), Sinfield (35)
Goals: Sinfield 2/3

SAINTS
1 Jack Welsby
26 Jacob Douglas
6 Tristan Sailor
25 Nene Macdonald
20 Lewis Murphy
3 Harry Robertson
31 Jackson Hastings
8 Alex Walmsley
22 Joe Shorrocks
35 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
28 Jake Davies
12 Shane Wright
14 Jacob Host
Subs (all used)
30 Tom Humphreys
37 Billy Keeley
38 Matty Evans
39 Chris Matagi
18th man (not used)
34 Cole Marsh
Also in 20-man-squad
5 Deon Cross
41 Jack Campbell
– Alfie Tate

Tries: Sailor (25, 69, 76), Murphy (29, 48), Keeley (64), Davies (74, 79)
Goals: Hastings 7/9

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 10-0, 10-6, 10-12, 16-12; 16-18, 16-24, 16-30, 16-34, 16-40, 16-46

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Trinity: Jack Sinfield; Saints: Tristan Sailor

Penalty count: 5-6
Half-time: 16-12
Referee: Aaron Moore
Attendance: 8,597