SAINTS SINK LION HEARTS
But Chester hails virushit Wakey for taking fight to champs
Wakefield 16 St Helens
CHRIS Chester hailed his “lion heartened” Covid-hit Wakefield side despite defeat by the champions.
Trinity were down to their last 14 fully- fit players after another positive virus case and eight other players having to stand down through test and trace. Three unnamed others played with injuries for a side that has failed to win since the season restart.
But with forwards Craig Kopzcak, Josh Wood and Matty Ashurst outstanding, they were in the game right until the final hooter.
Chester said: “It’s certainly a step in the right direction. We forced them into some uncharacteristic errors, defended real tough and created some opportunities.
“They were a bit more clinical with the ball in the second half, but effort-wise, with everything these guys had to go through over the last 48 hours, they were great.
“My guys had hearts of lions. You’ve seen a group that care for each other and the club.”
Even when Wakefield built a 12-0 lead, few would have given them much chance of taking the game to the final play.
They opened the scoring with a superbly crafted try as Joe Westerman created the space to release Reece Lyne, and his kick inside was touched down by Alex Walker. Prop Kopzcak then powered over from close range.
But when Louie McCarthyScarsbrook and Lachlan Coote touched down for Saints in the final seven minutes of the half, the writing looked on the wall for a onesided second half.
Instead Trinity didn’t concede again until the 63rd minute, when Regan Grace finished a Jonny Lomax pass. Moments later the excellent James Roby split the Wakefield defence and Lomax sent Coote racing away for his double.
Even then Chester’s side refused to lie down Ashurst’s try giving them a final shot at a miracle victory.
Saints coach Kristian Woolf admitted: “We just didn’t approach that game the way we needed to and full credit to Wakefield.
“They certainly made us work for it, we made a lot of errors and didn’t have the tough mentality needed.”