DARYL Powell returned to haunt his former club as Warrington Wolves were beaten 30-16 at home by newly-promoted Wakefield Trinity.
On his first visit back to the Halliwell Jones Stadium since being sacked in July 2023, Powell masterminded a dominant victory over Sam Burgess’ side, who followed up their dismal showing in Las Vegas with a second successive defeat.
Missing Matt Dufty, Matty Ashton and Toby King from their first choice backline, the Wolves actually took the lead inside three minutes when Arron Lindop climbed above former Warrington winger Matty Russell to claim George Williams’ kick.
Wakefield hit back through Jack Croft, minutes after Mason Lino had been denied by the video referee, but Warrington restored their lead when debutant union convert Alfie Johnson raced down the left to score a try.
But a mistake from the restart enabled the visitors to hit back immediately, Liam Hood finding a huge gap to dive over and the subsequent conversion helped Wakefield to a 12-10 half-time lead.
Three tries early in the second half put Wakefield in command. Oli Pratt raced clear to help create a try for Russell, and then Matty Storton burst through the line to touchdown.
Hamlin-Uele then put the game beyond Warrington with Wakefield’s fifth try, and although Josh Thewlis pulled one back for the Wolves, they were well beaten.
Warrington: Taylor-Wray; Thewlis, Lindop, Tai, Johnson; Williams, Ratchford; Harrison, Walker, Vaughan, Currie, Russell, Yates. Interchanges: Powell, Crowther, Philbin, Holroyd.
Wakefield: Jowitt; M Russell, Pratt, Hall, Johnstone; Trueman, Lino; Storton, Hood, Hamlin-Uele, Vagana, Croft, McMeeken. Interchanges: Atoni, Cozza, Smith, Faatili.
