Wakefield 12 Leeds 14: Lauitiiti's timely tackle leaves Wildcats wobbling
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Wakefield's new-found spirit and determination went unrewarded as they lost ground in the battle against relegation from Super League last night and Leeds avoided the ignominy of losing six games in a row for the first time in 48 years.
The Wildcats struggled manfully for the last half-hour of a compelling contest to overturn Leeds' slender lead, but could rue their failure to do so.
Wakefield had the most unnerving of starts, falling victim to the sort of sustained support play that has eluded Leeds in recent weeks after only 46 seconds. Matt Diskin began the surge, Keith Senior and Ali Lauitiiti carried it on and Jordan Tansey was there to complete a spectacular 70-metre try.
The Wildcats responded admirably, getting on the scoreboard through Jamie Rooney's penalty and almost getting a try through Michael Korkidas.
It took them until the 23rd minute to get their noses in front, thanks to some high-quality work by Rooney, who tricked the Leeds defence with a change of pace and fed David March, who went over for a try. Once more Wakefield were showing the fight that John Kear seems to have instilled in them.
Leeds went back ahead but were perhaps fortunate to have the try awarded when Ryan Bailey was stopped on the line and Diskin burrowed his way over, looking surprised himself to be credited with the score by the video referee.
Colum Halpenny came close to an equalising try from a Sam Obst kick and all in all Wakefield could consider themselves unlucky to be behind at half-time.
They survived Leeds pressure at the start of the second period and hit back with an exquisite pass from Solomona to Halpenny. The move seemed to have broken down when Obst was tackled, but Tom Saxton arrived to give the move the try it deserved. Wakefield were level but Sinfield kicked a penalty to edge Leeds in front again.
The tension was reflected in a punch up when Jamie Jones-Buchanan went in hard on Semi Tadulala. Wakefield fought to the end, but their best chance disappeared with Lauitiiti's magnificent cover tackle to put Paul White into touch.
Wakefield: Saxton, Halpenny, Demetriou, Atkins, Tadulala, Rooney, Jeffries, Korkidas, March, Watene, MacGillivray, Henderson, Solomona. Substitutes used: White, Elima, Obst, Griffin
Leeds: Tansey, Donald, Toopi, Senior, Gibson, Sinfield, Burrow, Jones-Buchanan, Diskin, Thackray, Lauitiiti, Peacock, Ellis Substitutes used: Bailey, Poching, Scruton, Kirke.
Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).
* Hull KR, Widnes and Leigh have all been told that they will qualify for Super League if they win National League One this season.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments