LOVELEIGH,JOSH
Charnley double adds to Wakefield woes and raises England questions
LEIGH’S Josh Charnley scored another two tries to wreck winless Wakefield and leave boss Adrian Lam wondering why he is not picked for England.
Super League’s leading scorer, who took his season’s tally to 12, was too sharp as the Leopards condemned Trinity to a ninth successive loss and left them already fearing relegation.
He has scored more points on his own this term than the entire Wakefield team who stumbled to a fifth nilling in only nine games.
Yet Charnley, who has not played for his country since 2014, was again overlooked by England boss Shaun Wane when he named his 40-man squad last week.
“He should be in that squad,” said coach Lam, after a fourth win left his promoted side just two points off the play-off places.
“That’s all that needs to be said. I felt for him. He can’t be doing much more. It is what it is, but people around him are really proud of him.
“His pre-season was as professional as any player I’ve ever been involved with around the world and he’s reaping the rewards.”
Ex-Sydney Roosters stand-off Lachlan Lam was great, too, scoring one try and helping create four more.
Wakefield desperately need someone of his creativity just to score some points, let alone get a win. They have only mustered 23 points in their last eight outings and look destined for the drop unless something changes quickly.
But Wakefield started well and held their own until the 29th minute.
But once Gareth O’Brien unleashed Charnley and followed up to take the return pass, they never looked like recovering. Lachlan Lam then turned on the class to send Kai O’Donnell crashing through, with ex-Trinity half-back Ben Reynolds finishing off.
Reynolds slotted the first of his four goals for a 10-0 interval lead.
But his side caused havoc in the second period. Charnley breezed past Morgan Smith far too easily to send Lachlan Lam racing in, before Will Dagger messed up the scorer’s grubber to gift Charnley his first.
Lachlan Lam then broke to put Charnley in for his second. And Liam Kay dropped Lachlan Lam’s next kick to hand another try to Joe Mellor.
Wakefield chief Mark Applegarth is still seeking his first win, but won’t quit. He said: “That second half was unacceptable. We just came out and did the complete opposite of what we said we would.
“I can’t keep on saying the same thing every week. We have got to fix it up. Ultimately, I’m head coach. It’s my responsibility. I’ll take it.
“I don’t fear the sack as I can’t control that. But I’m p***** off when I see one thing in training and players coming to do different things in the game. That’s what rattles me.”