Betfred Super League

Wakefield Trinity (18) 52

Tries: Storton, Faatili, Jowitt, Vagana, Johnstone 2, Hall, Walmsley 2 Goals: Jowitt 8

Castleford Tigers (10) 14

Tries: Weaver, Qareqare 2 Goal: Weaver

Wakefield Trinity fought back from a 10-6 deficit and overcame a first-half red card to decisively defeat Castleford Tigers, sustaining their unexpected Super League campaign.

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Daryl Powell’s team secured nine tries at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, with Tom Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley each scoring twice, marking six consecutive wins for Trinity.

Despite playing with 12 men for nearly three-quarters of the match due to Matty Storton’s sending off, Wakefield demonstrated resilience. Storton had opened the scoring for the hosts.

Caius Faatili, Max Jowitt, Isaiah Vagana, and Corey Hall also contributed to Wakefield’s tally.

Castleford had a brief moment of hope, building on their recent victory over Leeds Rhinos when Jason Qareqare, who scored twice, added to Tom Weaver’s earlier try, putting them ahead 10-6. However, Wakefield quickly regained control.

Wakefield showcased impressive ball possession at 65%, with half-back Jake Trueman effectively directing play.

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Trinity opened the scoring just 45 seconds into the match, as Johnstone sprinted down the left before setting up Storton to score behind the posts.

Castleford equalized in the 16th minute when Daejarn Asi’s kick deflected off Jowitt, allowing Weaver to score with ease.

After Storton’s red card for a shoulder contact on Alex Mellor in the 22nd minute, Castleford capitalized two minutes later with Qareqare breaching the line, giving them a brief 10-6 lead.

Undeterred, Wakefield responded quickly; Faatili, coming off the bench, spun and scored under the posts in the 29th minute, with Jowitt converting to regain the lead.

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Jowitt added a second try to stretch the half-time lead to 18-10, and Wakefield accelerated after the break.

Vagana caught a kick from Trueman and, after exchanging passes with Cameron Scott, scored in the 41st minute, followed by two more tries from Johnstone which brought his season total to 15 Super League tries.

The 12-man team showed no signs of slowing down, as Hall marked the seventh try in the 54th minute.

Walmsley registered his first try in the 62nd minute after recovering the ball from a challenge involving Vagana, before scoring again six minutes later.

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Qareqare crossed for his 18th Super League try four minutes from the end, but it provided little comfort for Castleford.

Wakefield: Rourke; Walmsley, Scott, Hall, Johnstone; Jowitt, Trueman; McMeeken, Smoothy, Rodwell, Storton, Vagana, Tevaga.

Interchanges: Pitts, Hamlin-Uele, Faatili, Smith; Lolesio.

Castleford: Laulu-Togaga’e; Ravalawa, Mellor, Mapapalangi, Qareqare; Asi, Weaver; Dupree, Hood, Stimson, Golding, Lane, Brown.

Interchanges: Atoni, Ashworth, Hall, Robb; Windley.

Referee: Tom Grant.