Johnstone admits Trinity need to improve on their return

PRACTICE MAKES perfect for Wakefield Trinity winger Tom Johnstone – and not just with his remarkable finishing skills.

The England international has scored five tries so far this season but turned creator with a clever kick infield for Alex Walker during Friday’s fraught 17-14 Challenge Cup win over part-timers Bradford Bulls.

It was a rare moment of precision from Chris Chester’s side after winger Bill Tupou switched back to his more traditional left centre slot to produce a wonderful flick pass on the last tackle to set Johnstone in motion.

“I was pretty surprised Bill got moved across,” explained Johnstone.

“But as soon as he got the ball and got on the outside I knew exactly what he was going to do.

“As soon as he flicked the ball I thought ‘yeah’.

“We always run a few plays the day before in the team run.

“And I always pretend to kick the ball inside for someone and say ‘it’s going to come off some day’.

“I kicked it and luckily it bounced straight into Alex’s hands and he went under the sticks. So it paid off.”

That said, the 24-year-old conceded Trinity were well below par and they must improve whenever they do get to take to the field again.

“We are happy we are through, but it wasn’t good enough,” Johnstone

conceded. “We got out-enthused; they came out really well and they stuck to it the whole game.

“Luckily, two breaks against the run of play got us over the line and got us into the draw.”

Wakefield will host another Championship side – neighbours Featherstone Rovers – in the Cup sixth round although, given the coronavirus outbreak, it remains unclear when that will be staged.

The last 16 games are scheduled for the weekend of April 4/5, the day after the sport’s initial lockdown, which was announced yesterday, expires.

Nevertheless, there is nothing to suggest rugby league will then be given the green light to resume so everything is on hold.

Trinity’s games against Toronto Wolfpack in York this Sunday and at home to Wigan Warriors on March 27 have both been called off.

Chester was briefed by club chief executive Michael Carter and confirmed that the players have been told to stay away this week.

“It is a weird one for everybody,” he said.

“We are pretty much in full shutdown until we get told we can go back into work.

“There will be financial implications for clubs with no revenue coming in.

“It is going to be a tough few weeks. But I am pretty sure we can get through it.

“Hopefully we will know a bit more next week.”