Wildcats win at last

The Wakefield coach, Peter Roe, praised his side's team spirit after they ended a five-match losing sequence with a surprise 30-18 win at Castleford.

The Wildcats adapted far more easily to the slippery conditions than their neighbours who were flattered by the final score after collecting 12 points in the last three minutes.

"Apart from a bit of sloppiness at the end I thought our team spirit showed and I put our win down to that," Roe said. "We gave a magnificent defensive effort and we enjoyed our best completion rate of the season. If there is a corner-turning factor, today's victory has to be it."

The Huddersfield coach, Tony Smith, is hoping the Giants' 32-6 victory over Hull KR in the inaugural Buddies National League Cup final will be a dress rehearsal for the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final.

The Giants, aiming to return to Super League at the first attempt, lifted their first trophy since the 1997 Divisional Premiership final at Old Trafford after a comprehensive win.

"It's just nice to know the boys can handle the final pressure," Smith said. "I think it was a good rehearsal for us should we get to the Grand Final."