Wakefield Trinity Wildcats earned some welcome respite from their run of eight successive Super League defeats when they defeated Halifax 44-16 tonight at Belle Vue.
But the Championship side made a valiant effort to trail 18-10 at the break, and then drawing back to 18-16 after 47 minutes, before the greater fitness of the Super League clubs allowed the Wildcats to pull away for a slightly flattering final scoreline in front of 2,016 spectators.
The Wildcats registered a first half try double from Richard Owen, while in the second half former Leeds prop forward Ian Kirke, who was making his debut, also scored a double.
The Wildcats also scored tries from Daniel Smith, Chris Riley, Craig Hall and Danny Washbrook, while Hall landed six conversions.
Halifax scored tries from James Saltonstall, Ben Heaton and Gareth Potts, with Scott Murrell landing two conversions.
The Wildcats become the first club to go through to the sixth round of trhe competition, the draw for which will be made on Monday evening.
A full and more detailed report from this game will feature in Monday’s edition of Rugby League Express.
