A LATE comeback was in vain as Warrington Wolves went down 28-22 away at Wakefield Trinity.
Former Wolves assistant Willie Poching celebrated victory in his first game in charge at Trinity following the departure of Chris Chester to deny the visitors the chance to leapfrog St Helens in to second place.
Wakefield led 20-0 after 51 minutes and looked comfortable at 26-6 up until a late flurry from Steve Price’s side.
Three tries in five minutes set up a tense finish, before Mason Lino’s late penalty eased Wakefield’s worries and ended their five-match losing run.
Gareth Widdop returned to play at half-back alongside George Williams, who scored his first try for the club.
Tom Johnstone picked up a loose pass by Widdop to go 80 metres for the first try and David Fifita’s try made it 12-0 at the break.
Lino scored a fine try to stretch Wakefield’s advantage at the start of the second half and he added a penalty to his three conversions to make it 20-0.
Having thrown away an 18-0 lead in their previous game, Wakefield fans would have been forgiven for fearing the worst when Williams got Warrington on the board on 56 minutes.
But Lee Kershaw’s interception try from Stefan Ratchford’s pass restored Wakefield’s 20 point advantage.
Substitute Blake Austin gave Warrington hope with 14 minutes left, and then Jake Mamo scored one and set one up for Josh Charnley to get the Wolves within four, but that’s as close as they got.
They welcome leaders Catalans to the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Thursday.
Wakefield: Jowitt, Kershaw, Senior, Arundel, Johnstone, Miller, Lino, Westerman, Ashurst, Pitts, Tanginoa, Walker, Arona. Subs: Fifita, Battye, Kay, Aydin.
Warrington: Ratchford, Lineham, Mamo, Wrench, Charnley, Williams, Widdop, Hill, Walker, Cooper, Currie, King, Davis. Subs: Austin, Ashton, Akauola, Burgess.
📷 | @WTrinityRL interim head coach Willie Poching chats with Lee Briers as he prepares to take charge of Trinity for the first time today 💪#SuperLeague #SLWakWar pic.twitter.com/a761b7o3XB
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 15, 2021
