LION HEARTS

Battling Trinit y denied by champs

CHRIS CHESTER hailed his “lion heartened” Covid- hit Wakefield side despite defeat by the champions.

Trinity were down to their last 14 fully fit players after another positive virus case and eight other players having to stand down through test and trace.

Three other unnamed players turned out with injuries for a side that has failed to win since the season restart.

But with forwards Craig Kopzcak, Josh Wood and Matty Ashurst outstanding, they stood toe- to- toe with Saints and were in it until the end.

Chester said: “It’s certainly a step in the right direction. We forced them into some uncharacteristic errors, defended tough and created some opportunities.

“They were a bit more clinical with the ball in the second half, but efforthave wise, with everything these guys had to go through over the last 48 hours, they were great.

“My guys had hearts of lions out there and came so close to toppling them. There were some players playing busted and it’s been tough on these guys but you’ve seen a group that care.”

Even when Wakefield built a 12- 0 lead in the opening quarter, few would have given themmuch them much chance of taking the game to the final play.

They opened the scoring with a superbly crafted try as Joe Westerman created the space to release Reece Lyne, and his measured kick inside was touched down by Alex Walker.

Prop Kopzcak, one of the best performers, then powered over from close range to double their advantage.

But when first Louie MccarthyScarsbrook and then Lachlan Coote touched down for Saints in the final seven minutes of the half, the writing looked on the wall.

Instead Trinity regrouped and didn’t

GOING OVER: Lachlan Coote scores his second try concede again until the 63rd minute, when Regan Grace finished a Jonny Lomax pass.

Moments later the excellent James Roby split the Wakefield defence and Lomax sent Coote racing away for his double.

But even then Chester’s side refused to lie down, Ashurst’s late try giving them one final shot at a miracle victory that did not materialise.

Saints coach Kristian Woolf admitted: “We just didn’t approach that game the way we needed to and full credit to Wakefield. They certainly made us work for it – we made a lot of errors.”