A Wake Up Call For Tony Smith? MATCH REPORT

Match Summary:

The hosts Leeds Rhinos led 6-4 at the Headingley Carnegie Stadium through Ryan Bailey's converted try, with Wakey replying through two Jamie Rooney goal kicks.

Rob Burrow scored Leeds' second try before Olivier Elima trimmed the lead.

Scott Donald then added a third Leeds try to make it 16-10 but late tries all in a last quarter burst from Ryan Atkins and Luke George gave Wakefield victory.

Match Report:

Tony Smith fielded the same seventeen man squad that lost against the Wigan Warriors at the JJB just one week ago in the same, wet conditions.

We dominated play until just after the first quarter had passed at the Headingley Carnegie Stadium, when a chip on the last from McGuire landed in the arms of Ryan Bailey as he made his way over the white-wash, still not even sure what happened himself.

Sinfield added the two right in front of the sticks, but the Wildcats fans once again found their voice when Clinton Toopi gifted the ball after not playing the ball correctly. Kicking towards the Carnegie Stand, the Wakefield stand-off, Rooney, made the score 6-2. He did the same again just under ten minutes later after Bailey was ruled by Silverwood to have stripped the ball in the tackle.

Little did we know then, but those were some of the crucial points in the game, and we needed more points in that half, but they failed to come. Once again our poor disciplinary meant no top of the table this week.

But things weren’t looking that bad as of yet. In the early moments of the half, we were getting close to the Wakefield line – surely promising.

Lauitiiti looked almost certain to score but an inside pass to no one in particular made sure we weren’t going to get the points we so desperately needed.

But later on in the second half, the lads were in control. On forty seven minutes, we were allowed to score our second try of the night, with Clinton Toopi's break down the right supported by McGuire. Burrow then took the pass from his half-back partner before touching down under the posts, with Sinfield again converting. It was now an eight point lead against Wakey.

But this time it was the turn of Trinity. Elima went over to score which consequently meant the lead was made to just two points, but we were still in control.

Within five minutes we had hit back with a controversial McGuire grubber kick. Scott Donald touched the ball as it was falling, and after a talk with the other officials, Richard Silverwood blew his whistle and we were still ahead although Sinfield missed the conversion. It was a six point lead at 16-10.

Tony Smith said his side must now be clinical, and that’s certainly what needs to happen in these coming games. “We need to address some issues and we will do that. I don't want to take anything away from Wakefield but we have to learn to take opportunities when they arise, I think we let a few go there tonight”

Wakey were up for a fight. Atkins made the score sixteen a piece with a brilliant converted try. The Wildcats had gained plenty of momentum sealing their victory.

With just four minutes remaining, a Jamie Rooney drop-kick from just twenty metres in front of the Wakey fans meant a one point lead to the away side, and a humiliating short kick off which gifted the ball back to the Wildcats due to the fact it failed to go ten metres.

A poor defensive effort from the Leeds defence resulted in a try from George, collecting the ball from a neat grubber kick.

Take nothing away from the superb Wakefield come back – they deserved the two points gaining a fifth place position in the engage Super League table.

We lacked determination. Leeds were in control during the vast majority of the game, but failed to pull it off in the dying minutes.

We’re not going to go on about getting rid of Tony Smith, but it does seem that his eye is on his new GB role.

But what a competition the rugby league top flight is turning into. Anybody can beat anybody on their day. Seen in earlier games this season; Saints V Harlequins, Leeds V Wakey and the shocking game yesterday afternoon; Bulls V Salford. We are still two points clear of Bradford, yet two points behind Saints.

Well done Wakefield!

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