Wakefield Trinity Ladies RL coach, Ash Bond, admitted that there is still work to do despite Trinity kicking off their pre-season campaign with a 32-4 victory over Hull KR.

First-half tries from Cassy Lawson, Millen Downs, Abbie Millward and Leonie Lawson gave Wakefield an 18-0 lead at the interval.

Hull KR hit back in the 44th minute with a try just after the restart following a big overhaul in the Trinity 13. However, unfazed, the home side added to their advantage, touching down three second-half scores to put the game out of reach.

“I thought we played well in parts,” Bond said, assessing his side’s performance on Sunday.

“We have to remember this is the first time the group have been in a game situation since coming together as a squad in October, so nerves and excitement took over a few times, causing unnecessary errors which I think we can forgive on this occasion.

“Going forward, we need to be looking to have a much higher completion rate. Defensively we looked good, but again, little things need ironing out.

“All in all, it was not a bad day at the office.”

With a much-strengthened side – which included over 15 new signings – the team took to the field for the first time since the end of last year.

However, with the games coming thick and fast over March, including two Challenge Cup contests against near-neighbours Castleford and Featherstone, the side looks to build on the performance.

“A win is a win, but the manner of the win could’ve been much better,” Bond continued.

“The class and skill level on display from some of our girls was as it should be at Super League level, but, unfortunately, due to the excitement and nerves, I think we tried to overplay a few times.

“Take nothing away from Hull KR, though, they never stopped playing and defended well at times, too, which made it difficult for us.

“But, certainly, getting the win is a good confidence booster for the squad.”

A first outing of 2022 was always going to be a test for Trinity, however, attention soon turns to Sunday, with another pre-season clash across the Pennines against Salford.

“We will be preparing again this week to try and iron out some of the things we picked up on against Hull KR.

“We are only at the start of our journey with the squad we have brought together. I’m confident that Salford will be coming at us with everything they have, and it would be wrong to underestimate them.

“Having got the win on Sunday, that should, hopefully, simmer some of the nerves for next week, but it will again be exciting to get this squad onto the pitch in Trinity colours and see what more they can do.”

You can follow all of Wakefield Trinity Ladies’ games in 2022 by following their respective social media channels, including this weekend’s game against the Red Devils.