MAX FACTOR
Jowitt’s treble rock s Rhinos
MAX JOWITT’S first half hat- trick continued Wakefield’s remarkable resurgence and dealt a huge blow to Leeds’ top four hopes.
Trinity have won three matches in a row since reports emerged claiming coach Chris Chester had lost the dressing room, as they end a forgettable season on a high.
On- loan winger Innes Senior also grabbed a late double against a jaded Rhinos team that lost four key players to the track and trace process the day before the game.
Defeat sees them fall further behind fourthplaced Catalans – although Richard Agar’s side could be handed a reprieve if Super League decides to expand the play- offs on Monday.
Agar said: “We looked like we were low on energy. All the indicators for that were there.
“I thought we tried really hard to get back into the game in the second half.
“But it was a night where we didn’t look like we’d find a way because we didn’t have enough in the tank.”
The two teams meet again on Sunday in what will be Leeds’ third game in seven days, with Trinity now buoyant.
Wakefield coach Chester said: “It was a performance that was full of energy straight from the kick- off.
“What makes it frustrating is that the season has been and gone now and yet we’re coming up with our best footy.
“There’s a lot of reasons for that. It’s no coincidence that we’ve had our best two weeks training with no- one stood down, and our best players on the field.
“What it’s shown is there a lot of togetherness in this squad.” Jowitt’s treble was started by supporting a superb Senior break down the right, before the full- back repeated the trick on the opposite side from Tom Johnstone.
Prop David Fifita then powered over from close range and Jowitt completed his hat- trick right on the hooter.
Leeds regrouped after the break and back through Ash Handley.
But disallowed tries for Cameron Smith and Mikolaj Oledzki hit their hopes of a comeback, and Senior touched down twice in the closing stages with Alex Mellor in the sin bin for a late hit. hit