This weekend would’ve seen a local derby against Huddersfield Giants and we’re picking out three of our favourite Giant clashes at the Mobile Rocket Stadium…
2008: Wakefield 28-26 Huddersfield
After a torrid run against Huddersfield prior to this game, it was the influential Jamie Rooney who proved to be the difference as Trinity edged out John Sharp’s side 28-26.
Tries from Rooney (2), Scott Grix, Kevin Henderson and Jason Demetriou proved enough to hang on for the two points, despite a second-half Huddersfield comeback.
The hard-fought result moved Wakefield into the top six.
Team: Blaymire, Grix, Gleeson, Atkins, Blanch, Rooney, Brough, Wilkes, Obst, Bibey, Golden, MacGillivray, Sculthorpe. Subs: Moore, Drew, Demetriou, Henderson.
2011: Wakefield 13-10 Huddersfield
Again, this result came as a relief to Wakefield, not just because they needed those valuable two Super League points, but they wanted to end another ‘hoodoo’ against the Giants.
John Kear decided to ring the changes for this one after a poor run of form. Experienced New Zealander Motu Tony started at fullback and Gareth Moore was given the nod at scrum-half, with the latter producing a Man of the Match performance on his home debut. Four goals and a drop-goal, plus Luke George’s first-half try was enough to see off Huddersfield in terrible conditions.
Team: Tony, Morton, Murphy, Griffin, George, J. Smith, Moore, Korkidas, Davey, Amor, Mariano, Johnson, Morrison. Subs: Henderson, Higgins, Wildie, Hickey.
2016: Wakefield 36-22 Huddersfield
In Chris Chester’s first game in charge of Wakefield Trinity, his side pulled off a dogged performance to seal a 36-22 win over the Giants.
Despite experienced players such as Craig Hall and Jordan Tansey providing options in the three-quarter line, Chester pledged his faith in 18-year-old Max Jowitt at fullback and 20-year-old Tom Johnstone on the wing. Both players crossed for tries and were arguably Trinity’s best two on the afternoon. Johnstone’s outstanding individual try to complete his brace was one of the best of the Super League era.
Other tries were scored by Mikey Sio, Nick Scruton and Reece Lyne as Trinity were then set up to go on a four-game winning run.
Team: Jowitt, Lyne, Arundel, Gibson, Johnstone, Miller, Finn, Scruton, Moore, England, Kirkmond, Ashurst, Sio. Subs: Simon, Annakin, Howarth, Molloy.