Wakefield stay in top-four hunt with win over Wire

Betfred Super League

Wakefield (6) 25

Tries: Johnstone, Vagana 2, Scott Goals: Jowitt 4 Drop-goal: Lino

Warrington (14) 18

Tries: J. Smith, Ashton, Hopoate Goals: Hayes 3

Isaiah Vagana's two tries set Wakefield Trinity on their way to a comeback win over Warrington Wolves which makes them favourites to land a top-four place in Super League.

The New Zealander struck twice in five second-half minutes to overturn an eight-point half-time deficit against Wolves, whose hopes of finishing in the top two are now at an end

Sam Burgess' side had taken control in the first half as tries from Josh Smith and Matty Ashton replied to Tom Johnstone's try for Trinity.

But their six-match winning streak came to an end as Vagana twice powered over and, after Albert Hopoate had levelled the score, Cameron Scott's try, Max Jowitt's conversion and Mason Lino's drop-goal put Wakefield beyond reach.

Trinity now need to avoid a heavy defeat against rivals Leigh Leopards next week to secure the fourth place which would give them home advantage in the play-off eliminators, and would also represent their best Super League finish.

They had ended their wobble of three successive defeats by beating York Knights last week, but were soon behind as ill discipline handed two penalties to Warrington and Leon Hayes kicked both.

Johnstone's brilliant tackle held Danny Walker on his back as Wire pushed hard and that lifted the home side, with Johnstone going up the other end to put his side in front with a twisting, turning finish.

The Wolves ended the first half strongly as Smith side-stepped his way over and Ashton won the race to reach George Williams' grubber kick and make it 14-6 to the visitors at half-time.

Trinity steeled themselves at the break and Vagana burst onto Lino's little popped pass to score and then finished again after Corey Hall and Johnstone had counter-attacked from deep.

The match was on a knife-edge as Williams bravely kept the ball alive on the last tackle and Hopoate made use of the space he created to square it up at 18-18.

Trinity found the edge to win it, with Josh Smith denying Johnstone a certain try with a fine tackle before Scott blasted a hole in the Wolves line to score, and Lino slotted over a one-pointer to ensure the points.

Wakefield coach Daryl Powell told Sky Sports:

"You couldn't tell who was going to win until right at the end there, so that was a great game of rugby league.

"It was a little bit scrappy first half from us in a chaotic game and then we got a bit more control. I thought our intensity and carrying of the ball in the second half was outstanding."

Warrington coach Sam Burgess told BBC Radio Merseyside:

"It was a great contest, both teams were very good. There were a couple of moments in the first half that were there for the taking and we didn't take, and then we didn't stop [Wakefield chances] on the other side, or it could have been a different game.

"Overall I'm happy with the team but in the second half we never really got going, but we fought right to the end, which we have done all season.

"They've got some big powerful players and pulled some points but we fought our way back to 18-18 against a lot of momentum so we showed some great signs that we can withstand a bit of adversity and come through the other side, but we just didn't go on with it, which is a big lesson for us."

Wakefield: Jowitt; Walmsley, Scott, Hall, Johnstone; Sinfield, Lino; Pitts, Vagana, McMeeken, Rodwell, Smoothy, Guler.

Interchanges: Trueman, Tevaga, Hamlin-Uele, Faatili.

Warrington: Josh Thewlis; Hopoate, J. Smith, King, Ashton; Williams, Hayes; Harrison, Walker, Byrne, Bentley, Stone, Currie.

Interchanges: Yates, Wood, Tanginoa, McKler.

Referee: Aaron Moore.