Betfred Super League
Wakefield (18) 48
Tries:Russell 2, Faatili, Smith, Nikotemo, Trueman, Atoni, RourkeGoals:Lino 8
Huddersfield (2) 2
Goal:Flanagan
Wakefield Trinity barged their way into Super League’s top six thanks to their demolition of Huddersfield Giants.
Matty Russell went in at the corner to get Wakefield off the mark inside 10 minutes and Caius Faatili extended their lead soon after.
Harvey Smith sent the hosts in at the break with an 18-2 lead while Seth Nikotemo and Jake Trueman crashed over for another pair of Wakefield tries shortly after the break.
Renouf Atoni and Josh Rourke continued the rout and Russell found a second to close out a comfortable two points.
Trinity’s win means they move into the play-off places after Hull FC’s humbling 34-0 defeat at home by Leeds Rhinos earlier on Saturday.
Wakefield face Castleford Tigers, leaders Hull KR and struggling Salford Red Devils in their final three games of the season and on this evidence, they look to be in pole position to seal the sixth and final play-off spot.
Huddersfield, meanwhile, offered little on a dismal rainy evening and were defeated for the 18th time in Super League this season.
A flowing set of passes out wide sent Russell in for Wakefield’s first while Faatili exploited a gap in the Huddersfield defence to race through for their second.
Giants had Taane Milne sent to the bin for a high arm on Rourke but they defended well and were back to a full compliment by the time Smith went through before the break.
Huddersfield’s only points of the first half came from the boot of George Flanagan after Wakefield conceded a penalty due to a ball steal right before the hooter.
Nikotemo scored a simple try to open the scoring for the second half and Trueman was not far behind, as Mike McMeeken sent him through after Trinity had carved open Huddersfield once again.
Atoni burst to the try-line as Wakefield broke the 30-point barrier and Trueman’s fortuitous rebounded kick led to him teeing up Rourke to go over for yet another soon after.
Russell’s second came in the corner, with Huddersfield unable to deal with his power, while both sides finished with 12 men after the Giants lost Zac Woolford to the bin for a tip tackle on Mathieu Cozza while Mason Lino saw yellow for going in heavy on Sam Halsall.
Wakefield Trinity boss Daryl Powell:
“We are not going to get too carried away. We have three important games left to give ourselves a chance to do something that would be an outstanding start for us back in Super League.
“It was a good performance. Defensively, we were strong and controlled the game for large periods.
“We were excellent and back to playing some of our best stuff. It is a big win for us because it puts the top-six situation back in our hands.”
Huddersfield Giants head coach Luke Robinson:
“The scoreline reflected the game. It would be easy to complicate stuff, but we just didn’t seem to have the energy we had last week.
“But Wakefield put us in that position. They won the physical battle. When you win that battle with and without the ball, it makes it very difficult.
“They won’t throw the towel in. That’s not the group we have got. One thing we have been good at this year is when we have had down moments, there has been a fightback and upturn.
“So, I am hoping we get that in this Leeds fixture.”
Wakefield:Rourke; Russell, Scott, Pratt, Johnstone; Trueman, Lino; McMeeken, Hood, Faatili, Storton, Nikotemo, Pitts.
Interchanges:Atoni, Vagana, Cozza, Smith.
Huddersfield:Flanagan; Halsall, Milne, Gagai, Bibby; Rush, Land; Rogers, Woolford, Powell, Rushton, Greenwood, Cudjoe.
Interchanges:Golding, English, Burgess, Wilson.
Referee:Jack Smith.
