GET IT OFF YER CHEST
Coach’s half-time words spark Wakefield fightback
CHRIS CHESTER’S half-time team-talk finally paid off as Ben Jones-Bishop’s late try moved Trinity back into Super League’s top eight.
Coach Chester had joked that he might hand over the interval peptalk a couple of weeks ago, after a series of lack-lustre starts to the second half.
But this time his Wakefield side overturned a 12-point half-time deficit to record a third win of the season.
Chester (above) had a bulldozing performance from prop David Fifita over two spells and moments of magic on the left wing from man of the match youngster Tom Johnstone.
It was enough to overcome a Leigh side that had threatened to continue their impressive start to the campaign since promotion from the Championship. On a day when Wakefield chairman Michael Carter had been forced to refute reports that the club could relocate to preserve their Super League status, the Centurions led 24-12 at the break.
The visitors opened the scoring when veteran props Gareth Hock and Danny Tickle combined to send half-back Ben Reynolds racing to the line. Wakefield then had their best spell of the half, scoring twice in the space of four minutes.
Fifita’s superb offload sent Joe Arundel over, before Scott Grix threw a huge dummy to stride over out wide.
But the rest of the half belonged to the Centurions.
When impressive substitute Sam Hopkins was stopped just short, hooker Micky Higham pinched a trademark effort from dummy half. Higham then returned the favour for Hopkins soon after.
And when Reynolds and Ryan Hampshire combined for Ben Crooks to touch down, Leigh looked in complete control.
But whatever Chester said at the break had the desired effect – and incredibly, by the hour mark his side were level.
Winger Johnstone somehow escaped the clutches of Hampshire and Reynolds to cross out wide.
Then Liam Finn kicked for sub Jacob Miller to make it 24-24.
The decisive score came when Sam Williams perfectly flighted his kick out wide for Jones-Bishop, whose try was given after several views by the video referee.