FOR CHESTER

CHRIS CHESTER broke the habit of a lifetime and cracked a smile after his Wakefield side racked up their highest-ever Super League score.

Needing to win one of their remaining two regular-season games to secure a top-eight finish, Trinity ran in 12 tries to do it in style.

Their record-breaking victory also guaranteed champions Leeds will join Hull KR, Salford and Widnes in an end-of-term relegation battle.

“I know I don’t smile a great deal but I am smiling now,” said boss Chester after his side topped their 68-6 win over Halifax 15 years ago.

“It feels like someone has stuck a pin in me and all the pressure is off.

“We always felt comfortable going into the game but we didn’t expect that scoreline. It was beyond my wildest expectations.”

Wakefield scored all their points in the opening 65 minutes, with ex-Hull pair Jacob Miller and Reece Lyne, Ben Jones-Bishop and giant forward Pauli Pauli all helping themselves to two tries apiece.

Ryan Hampshire kicked 11 conversions and a penalty as Hull slumped to their highest regular Super League season defeat, leaving their chase for a top-four finish in tatters.

Already missing injured stars Jake Connor and Albert Kelly, coach Lee Radford gambled on recalling Fetuli Talanoa, Jamie Shaul, Joe Westerman and Marc Sneyd after injury. And it backfired spectacularly.

“Would I change some of the decisions in selections? Possibly,” said Radford. “Would the outcome be any different, I’m not sure.

“But I apologise wholeheartedly and I promise we will work hard in putting pride back in our badge against Hull KR on Friday.

“What could have gone wrong, went wrong. I take full responsibility. I rolled the dice with four or five players in terms of fitness, but, clearly, you could see they weren’t quite ready.”