Wakefield Trinity Ladies ended the inaugural Nines festival with a victory and two defeats as we headed to Warrington’s Victoria Park on Sunday.

To add something new to the women’s game for 2022, the RFL introduced a Nines festival to the forthcoming campaign, a fast-paced version of mainstream Rugby League with nine players on each side.

Game 1 – Trinity vs Warriors

Not knowing what to expect, Trinity headed into game one with Super League group one side Wigan Warriors with a well-rounded Nines squad. Jade Key and Becky Grady looking to utilise the pace of Amy Bennett out wide.

However, it was the Lancashire side who took the spoils as fullback, Georgia Wilson, scored a first-half hattrick to put the Warriors ahead at the break. Trinity looked dangerous, though, proving strong in centre-field as Grace Firth and Millen Downs made good metres on contact.

It just wasn’t to be for Wakefield, however, with Jade Gregory-Haselden and Rachael House condemned Trinity to a game one defeat.

Game 2 – Hull FC vs Trinity

Despite a defeat in the opening round, Trinity rallied, asserting their dominance early on against the Airlie Birds.

Free-flowing Rugby League in the opening nine minutes saw Trinity claim a comfortable at the break. Great hands in centre-field found Hebe Forbes, who touched down her first try in Trinity colours before a length-of-the-field score from former FC players Leonie Lawson and Jade Key added to our advantage.

The second period didn’t disappoint, either, with Trinity further adding to their advantage after the break. Amy Bennett made a nice break to finish under the sticks before quick hands from Firth put Emilia Povall-Clarke over to claim a 25-10 victory.

Game 3 – Dragons vs Trinity

The final game of the game proved a new test for Wakefield as we faced French side Catalans Dragons. Looking to build on a game two win, Trinity’s tails were up, however, it was the Dragons who took first-half ascendancy.

An incredible solo effort from Grady offered Trinity a lifeline back into the contest, however, the French side proved to be too strong in the end as they took a 33-4 victory to close the curtain on the day’s proceedings.