Wakefield Trinity reached their first ever Super League semi-final with a 26-16 victory over Leigh Leopards in the Eliminators.
Trinity were thrown a spanner in the works in the second half when Emre Guler was shown a red card for what appeared to be a punch in a tackle with Owen Trout, reducing the home team to 12 players.
However, Wakefield had done enough prior to that to see them over the line and continue their incredible rise since returning back to the top flight in 2024.
Wakefield had a narrow half-time lead thanks to a Max Jowitt penalty, plus tries from Tyson Smoothy and Tom Johnstone, with Jowitt converting one of the two for their 12 points.
Leigh hit back just before the half-time hooter through David Armstrong and a conversion from Adam Cook to bring the score to 12-6.
However, early in the second half, Wakefield took charge through their forward pack, with converted tries from Isaiah Vagan and Caius Faatili moving them way ahead.
Guler’s card then halted their control and Leigh hit back through Lachlan Lam and, later on, Innes Senior.
Despite Leigh giving it their all, a Jowitt penalty kept the visitors at arm’s length and secured their biggest win to date.
Wakefield will now wait to find out whether they will face Wigan Warriors or Leeds Rhinos in the semi-finals. Their opponent depends upon the winner of Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, which is live on Sky Sports on Saturday 19 September, with kick-off at 5.30pm.
Wakefield make more history as forward pack impresses
On a maiden home play-off night at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, it was a full-throttle opening 15 minutes, both outfits going end-to-end as the Eliminators’ intensity was on full show.
The only points that came in that opening quarter were from the boot of Jowitt for an early penalty on the fourth minute.
After kicking a beautiful 40/20 just a few sets earlier, Smoothy opened the try-scoring on the 18th minute on the back of a repeat set. The experienced No 9 barrelled over and outstretched the defenders, with Jowitt converting to open up an 8-0 lead.
Tom Johnstone showed off his try-scoring prowess in the first half
The Wakefield faithful then got even louder 10 minutes later when Johnstone went over in the corner. The effort was sent up as a ‘No Try’ for the video referee but it was overruled, ensuring the hosts held a 12-0 advantage.
However, just on the stroke of half-time, Lam threw a silky double pump pass, and Armstrong was there in support to race away and score with 20 seconds left on the clock. Cook converted to put six points between the two sides but it was clear with 40 minutes to go, Leigh still had a job on their hands.
Wakefield’s forward pack had been on top throughout the entire encounter prior to the break and it continued to pay dividends just five minutes into the second half when Vagana stormed through to score, with Jowitt converting for an 18-6 lead.
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Watch as Leigh Leopards pull one try back against Wakefield Trinity moments before half time.
The heavens then opened in West Yorkshire but that did not stop the Wakefield pack rolling through. Faatili was the next to bulldoze over with half an hour still to play, and as Jowitt added the extras, they led 24-6.
Leigh thought they had hit back through Innes Senior, but Owen Trout had taken Walmsley out off the ball in the build-up, and so the effort was chalked off. Wakefield still led by three converted tries.
Despite such a positive night, Wakefield were put under pressure for the final 20 minutes after a head loss from Guler. He was shown a straight red for what appeared to be a punch to the face of Owen Trout, with the home team needing to defend their lead for 20 minutes with a player down.
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Take a look as Caius Faatili barges through to score emphatic try for Wakefield Trinity against Leigh Leopards.
Leigh breached the defence when Trout broke through, ending with Lam in support on the left to race away and score. With Cook’s conversion, the score was 24-12 with 15 minutes remaining.
With the player advantage, Leigh looked the stronger team in attack but could not extend their lead and when they were pinged for a dangerous tackle on Jazz Tevaga, Jowitt slotted over the penalty to move Wakefield more than two scores in front once again.
That lead was once again dented when Senior went over in the corner, but it was too little too late.
Wakefield were through to a maiden semi-final with a 26-16 victory and Leigh were left thinking ‘what if’ once again.
Super League play-offs results and schedule
Eliminators
Friday September 18: Wakefield Trinity 26-26 Leigh Leopards
Saturday September 19, Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, KO 5.30pm on Sky Sports
Semi-finals
Semi-Final 1 – Friday September 25, Leeds Rhinos vs TBC, 8pm KO on Sky Sports
Semi-Final 2 – Saturday 26 September, Wigan Warriors v TBC, 5.30pm KO on Sky Sports
The Super League play-offs are under way, live on Sky Sports, and continues all the way through until the Grand Final from Old Trafford on October 3.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
