Wakefield Trinity 30 Dewsbury Rams 10 - Satisfactory displays but more work still needed admit both coaches

WAKEFIELD TRINITY beat Betfred Championship visitors Dewsbury Rams 30-10 in their only pre-season hit-out, but coach Chris Chester admitted his side’s performance was a mixed bag.
Wakefield Trinity coach Chris Chester. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.Wakefield Trinity coach Chris Chester. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.
Wakefield Trinity coach Chris Chester. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

Trinity, who begin their Super League campaign against Leeds Rhinos in 12 days’ time, were 24-6 ahead at half-time through tries from Reece Lyne, Bill Tupou, Jacob Miller and Innes Senior, all converted by new signing Mason Lino. Kelepi Tanginoa’s touchdown, converted by Lino, completed Trinity’s scoring four minutes into the second period. Liam Finn crossed for Rams before the interval, another ex-Trinity man Paul Sykes converting and Lewis Carr added their second touchdown on the hour.

Chester said: “I thought we defended tough and there were some things we’ve talked about in pre-season we really bought into.

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“We were a bit scrappy with the ball and probably looked to play around Dewsbury, rather than through them. Obviously I was really pleased with the effort and desire and in the last 12 minutes we had seven or eight young kids out there. Not to concede in that period is really pleasing.”

New Trinity signing Mason Lino is already forging a good understanding with half-back partner Jacob Miller. Picture: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz.New Trinity signing Mason Lino is already forging a good understanding with half-back partner Jacob Miller. Picture: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz.
New Trinity signing Mason Lino is already forging a good understanding with half-back partner Jacob Miller. Picture: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz.

The coach admitted his team will need to hold on to the ball better when the league season starts.

“The yardage errors were really disappointing,” he reflected. “We came up with some poor offensive plays in the first half and, like with all friendlies, there’s plenty to work on.”

Lino is Trinity’s only off-season recruit and Chester was encouraged by his half-back partnership with Miller.

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“Our kicking game wasn’t where it needed to be, but I think the signs are positive,” he said. “Mason and Milky [Miller] are still getting to know each other, but there’s a good understanding between them and that will only improve as the games go on.”

Dewsbury Rams coach, Lee Greenwood. Picture: Bruce Fitzgerald/JPIMedia.Dewsbury Rams coach, Lee Greenwood. Picture: Bruce Fitzgerald/JPIMedia.
Dewsbury Rams coach, Lee Greenwood. Picture: Bruce Fitzgerald/JPIMedia.

Rams coach Lee Greenwood. said: “I thought we struggled for large parts of the first half, partly due to Wakefield being dominant and partly due to our errors.

“Overall we competed all right, we put the effort in but, after the game, the feeling from players and staff was we could have done a bit more.”

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