September 7, 2017

Saints Dampen Trinity’s Spirits

A disappointing evening at the Beaumont Legal Stadium as Saints put a dampener on Trinity’s fight for the fourth spot.

It was a tight contest throughout the 80 minutes with Trinity edging the first half but Saints found their way back into the game during the second 40 to steal a late win to keep their hopes alive.

It was a fairly even 10 minutes with both sides easing into the game but Trinity found themselves in the lead after a great kick from Jacob Miller, a few plays later and Bill Tupou got on the end of the ball to put it down. Unfortunately Finn missed the conversion as the ball bounced off the posts to go 4-0 up.

Trinity were then awarded a penalty after a late tackle from St Helens on David Fifita, Liam Finn added the two points.

However, Saints came fighting back when Louie McCarthy Scarsbrook went over from close range, with a successful conversion from Percival, the visitors pulled it back level with 15 minutes of the first half remaining.

Bill Tupou scored an incredible try for Trinity to put the home side back into the lead; the winger ran 90m dodging through the Saints defence to get over.

It was a nail biting final few seconds of the first half after Saints looked to have scored over in the right corner; however the video referee gave no try after a knock on.

Heavy rain during half time and the opening 10 minutes of the second half resulting in a completely different style of play from both sides resulting in a few errors.

St Helens has the perfect opportunity to get back into the game when Dean Hadley was sent to the sin-bin for Trinity following a high tackle.

However Trinity remained defiant and held off, moments later Trinity were awarded with a penalty after Saints were penalised for stealing the ball, and Finn added the extras to put Wakefield eight points ahead.

After a strong 15 minutes from Trinity, Saints found a way back into the game after keeping the ball alive on the last tackle. Theo Fages went over after finding a gap in the Trinity defence to pull it back to just two points, 14-12.

Trinity were awarded with two further penalties, the first was a successful kick from Liam Finn but the second saw the ball bouncing back off the posts.

With three minutes of the game remaining, the Trinity defence failed to kick the ball out and Fages was quick to react for Saints. The decision was sent to the video referee and the try was given.

Full Time: Wakefield Trinity 16-18 St Helens.