TOM’S TOPS

Johnstone a Leeds party-pooper

TOM JOHNSTONE burst the party bubble for Leeds with his stunning 11-minute hat-trick.

The Rhinos had hoped to celebrate the opening of the first stage of their £45m stadium upgrade with a bang.

Ash Handley played his part with a third-minute try to get their first home game of the season off to a flier.

But Leeds, who have now lost four of their five games, were soon sent reeling by the terrific treble from Johnstone.

First the England winger caught them out thanks to quick hands by centre Bill Tupou and full-back Ryan Hampshire.

His second was a spectacular diving effort in the corner after another short, rapid pass from Tupou.

The third was different again, the winger leaping highest to claim a Jacob Miller bomb to embarrass the Leeds defence. The Rhinos looked shell-shocked from the quick-fire tries and needed a swift response to lift their spirits.

Winger Tom Briscoe, whose edge had been targeted for all three Wakefield tries, came up with the answer with his first touchdown of the season.

Tui Lolohea, playing full-back instead of the injured Jack Walker, converted to cut Wakefield’s lead to six points.

But the visitors always looked the more dangerous.

Trinity hooker Kyle Wood exposed some more casual Leeds defence when he darted over from dummy-half past Cameron Smith.

The young Leeds back-rower was drafted into the halves following Lolohea’s switch, and Trinity regularly directed their attacks at him.

Danny Brough added his third conversion for a well-deserved 22-10 lead and Wakefield’s defence then proved just as lively as their attack.

Briscoe was held up over the line, while Wakefield had a let-off after half-time when a Smith effort was disallowed for obstruction.

Trinity pushed on when standoff Miller touched down way too easily with Brough, who had earlier kicked a penalty, then adding a drop goal.

Brough finished off a terrific break by winger Ben Jones-Bishop for a try to take his personal tally to 15 points.

To add to a miserable night for the Rhinos, marquee-signing Trent Merrin was sin-binned with nine minutes to go for dissent.

Handley and Briscoe both added late tries but they were scant consolation in a poor home performance.