news-engine

Wigan Warriors moved top of Super League as they beat Wakefield Trinity in what was a frustrating affair for the West Yorkshire side. Matt Peet’s side won 26-12 in quite a comfortable performance that saw them dominate the big moments, though Wakefield will feel aggrieved about a crucial No Try call early in the game. It marks a third straight loss for Wakefield who remain fourth, but are vulnerable to be overtaken by Hull KR on Saturday. Bevan French opened the scoring before Liam Marshall registered a first half brace with an Adam Keighran penalty on the hooter giving the home side a 20-0 lead at the break. Corey Hall scored the first try of the second half to give Wakefield hope and whilst Wigan could never fully find their first-half form, they would score another and keep Trinity at bay despite Ky Rodwell’s late try. NRL lowball Super League, Hull FC’s gargantuan signing, and new title favourites – Click here to watch this week’s episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity talking points Ruthless Wigan If you’re a rival play-off contender then Wigan Warriors are surely the team that you do not want to face because they are red hot right now, and they will find ways to punish you. Wigan were very good tonight but what was most impressive about them was their ability to punish mistakes. Wakefield, despite what the scoreline suggests, weren’t that far off it but their mistakes were punished by the Warriors. Bevan French and Jai Field’s tries were near carbon copies as each man pounced on a Wakefield ball gone to ground, before then racing the distance to score. Few players across the league have the instincts to be in the right place, nor the pace to execute those tries. Matt Peet’s side have now gone top but they’ll know that their League Leaders Shield chances come down to that round 26 clash with Leeds Rhinos, and you would not back against Wigan in that one. No Try shocker Wakefield Trinity lost by a considerable scoreline but the game could have perhaps been much different had Max Jowitt’s 10th-minute try been granted. Wakefield broke from deep and Jowitt fought off French and appeared to ground the ball, however, referee Chris Kendall did not award it. Video referee Liam Moore would look and ended up agreeing, asserting that Jowitt knocked on before grounding, something that would infuriate Daryl Powell and also lead to plenty of criticism, including from Jon Wilkin. “There is no doubt, at all, that this is a try,” Wilkin asserted at half time: “It’s a massive moment in the game, a huge moment in the game. It was missed by the video referee and that’s a crucial ‘No Try’ decision, and that really led to a period of chaos.” That chaos was ended when Bevan French scored the opener, though it probably should have been an equaliser given that Jowitt was unfairly judged to have knocked on. Wakefield’s big worry Three straight losses is never good at any time of the season but as we approach this business end of the year, it’s really quite concerning for Wakefield. Tonight’s performance wasn’t the alarm bells of last week when they collapsed versus St Helens as they certainly responded in the second half tonight, however, it’s how they react next week. They’re now level on points with Leigh, who had a thumping win over Bradford, and Hull KR could overtake them if they beat Toulouse, meaning Trinity may end the round in fifth. With York, Warrington and Leigh to come, it’s fair to say Trin have two very tough games and unless they get back in the win column next week then you fear they could drop to sixth and head into the play-offs on torrid form. Passionate Powell You’d argue that there aren’t many Super League coaches who are more passionate than Daryl Powell. The problem for the Wakefield boss tonight was that much of that passion emerged as frustration rather than elation. Max Jowitt’s ‘’No Try’ call was something that it’s fair to say did not go down well in the Trinity coaching box with Sky Sports commentary having to apologise for those who can lip read. Even those who aren’t lip readers could tell what Powell thought of the decision and it’s not exactly something we can print. His frustrations would continue to grow and after he watched his side ship a second try, he’d head down to the touchline where he would remain animated, especially after watching Liam Marshall swiftly score his second and Wigan’s third. Perhaps plenty of his frustration came to the fact that Wakefield, whilst making key errors in key moments, weren’t exactly that bad, but they ended on the wrong side of a significant score and that’s now three losses in three. Club record Tonight also saw Wigan record a twelfth consecutive win in Super League, their 13th in all competition, but that 12-game winning streak marks a record for the Warriors in Super Legaue. On three occasions, they’ve made it to 11 but they’ve now set a new record and they’ll now be intent to add to it and possibly win out through the end of the season, something that would take their record to 17 straight wins. Top of #SuperLeague for the first time since Round 6 🍒 pic.twitter.com/qCdd1opJev — Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 21, 2026