WAKEFIELD TRINITY 29 HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS 23
JOHN DAVIDSON, DIY Kitchens Stadium, Sunday

WAKEFIELD TRINITY have cemented fourth spot on the table with a drama-filled last-minute win over last-placed Huddersfield Giants.

Trinity handed the Giants their ninth straight loss and notched their fifth victory in their past six matches as they continue their rise.

Wakefield had to work very hard for the result, coming back from an 18-16 deficit to snatch the two points in the final seconds thank to a brilliant Josh Rourke try.

Tom Johnstone opened the scoring in the eighth minute, diving over for a try from a looping Trueman cut-out pass.

Max Jowitt was unable to add the extras from out wide.

Trinity were fired up from the kick off with Johnstone making a mazy 50-metre break.

From the next set the home side extended their lead, Mike McMeeken touching down from Trueman’s bomb.

Huddersfield managed to stem the tide and hit back with a sensational effort from Jacob Gagai.

With little on, the centre broke away down the left flank and then beat Jowitt to cross under the sticks.

George Flanagan cut the deficit to 10-6 with his conversion.

That score gave the Giants huge confidence and soon after they had another.

Crafty work from substitute Cole Geyer saw the Australian dive over and stun the home crowd.

Flanagan’s kick from in front gave the visitors the lead.

With seven minutes left in the half, Isaiah Vagana went close with a run but lost the ball as the try-line beckoned.

Soon after Trueman also made a half-break but knocked on in the process.

However, with three minutes left Sinfield wriggled out of a tackle and got the ball down to score.

Jowitt’s kick gave Wakefield a 16-12 lead buffer at the break.

The second half started brightly for Huddersfield with Oliver Russell nailing a 40/20.

They made Trinity pay when Asher O’Donnell barged over, skittling defenders, with a brilliant run.

Flanagan made no mistake from in front and the Giants stole back the lead.

Trinity pushed to get back into the contest, and made several half-breaks, but Huddersfield scrambled hard to stop them.

As the clock wore down, McMeeken won a penalty near the posts when he was tackled high.

Jowitt added the two points to tie the game up at 18-18.

Wakefield went for the winner and Caleb Hamlin-Uele was held up over the try-line.

Huddersfield were creaking and eventually the ball came wide to Rourke for the try.

Trueman lofted the ball to the wing and Rourke barged over the line, taking three defenders with him.

Jowitt’s conversion attempt was wide, but Wakefield had poked their noses in front.

Jowitt then missed a penalty goal, before the match was remarkably turned on its head again when Adam Swift crossed to tie it up once more.

Sinfield stood up with a field goal to put Trinity ahead, before Russell stunned the crowd with his own one-pointer to level it with one minute left.

More drama was to come though, Rourke sensationally intercepting a pass and racing away to win the game.

GAMESTAR: Tom Johnstone seemed to be everywhere – scoring tries, breaking tackles and making metres.

GAMEBREAKER: Jack Sinfield’s key field goal was smartly taken.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Josh Rourke’s final minute effort to win the game was super special.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Jack Sinfield (Wakefield)
2 pts Tom Johnstone (Wakefield)
1 pt Jacob Gagai (Huddersfield)

MATCHFACTS

TRINITY
1 Max Jowitt
23 Josh Rourke
3 Cameron Scott
14 Jay Pitts
5 Tom Johnstone
6 Jake Trueman
20 Jack Sinfield
8 Mike McMeeken
9 Tyson Smoothy
10 Ky Rodwell
11 Seth Nikotemo
18 Isaiah Vagana
Subs
15 Caleb Hamlin-Uele
17 Harvey Smith
24 Tray Lolesio
32 Will Tate
18th man Kian McGann
Also in 21-man squad
16 Caius Faatili
25 Jordan Williams
33 Charlie Abraham

Tries: Johnstone (8), McMeeken (12), Sinfield (37), Rourke (57, 79)
Goals: Jowitt 4/7
Field-goals: Sinfield 1/1

GIANTS
21 George Flanagan
2 Adam Swift
3 Jacob Gagai
42 Lewis Jagger
4 Taane Milne
6 Tui Lolohea
32 Oliver Russell
14 Fenton Rogers
18 Kieran Rush
23 Chris Patolo
11 Asher O’Donnell
43 Zane Dunford
8 Tristan Powell
Subs (all used)
15 Matty English
16 George King
20 Mathieu Cozza
40 Cole Geyer
18th Niall Evalds
Also in 21-man squad
10 Thomas Burgess
26 Archie Sykes
34 Connor Wrench

Tries: Gagai (22), Geyer (27), O’Donnell (42), Swift (66)
Goals: Flanagan 3/4
Field-goals: Russell 1/1

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 10-0, 10-6, 10-12, 16-12, 16-18, 18-18, 22-18, 22-22, 23-22, 23-23, 29-23

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Trinity: Jack Sinfield; Giants: Asher O’Donnell

Penalty count: 3-2
Half-time: 16-12
Referee: Tom Grant
Attendance: 9,258