Wakefield Trinity reached their first ever Super League semi-final with a 26-16 victory over Leigh Leopards in the Eliminators. Trinity were thrown a spanner in the works in the second half when Emre Guler was shown a red card for what appeared to be a punch in a tackle with Owen Trout, reducing the home team to 12 players. However, Wakefield had done enough prior to that to see them over the line and continue their incredible rise since returning back to the top flight in 2024.
Wakefield had a narrow half-time lead thanks to a Max Jowitt penalty, plus tries from Tyson Smoothy and Tom Johnstone, with Jowitt converting one of the two for their 12 points. Leigh hit back just before the half-time hooter through David Armstrong and a conversion from Adam Cook to bring the score to 12-6. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player However, early in the second half, Wakefield took charge through their forward pack, with converted tries from Isaiah Vagan and Caius Faatili moving them way ahead.
Guler's card then halted their control and Leigh hit back through Lachlan Lam and, later on, Innes Senior. Despite Leigh giving it their all, a Jowitt penalty kept the visitors at arm's length and secured their biggest win to date. Wakefield will now wait to find out whether they will face Wigan Warriors or Leeds Rhinos in the semi-finals.
Their opponent depends upon the winner of Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, which is live on Sky Sports on Saturday 19 September, with kick-off at 5.30pm. On a maiden home play-off night at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, it was a full-throttle opening 15 minutes, both outfits going end-to-end as the Eliminators' intensity was on full show. The only points that came in that opening quarter were from the boot of Jowitt for an early penalty on the fourth minute.
After kicking a beautiful 40/20 just a few sets earlier, Smoothy opened the try-scoring on the 18th minute on the back of a repeat set. The experienced No 9 barrelled over and outstretched the defenders, with Jowitt converting to open up an 8-0 lead. The Wakefield faithful then got even louder 10 minutes later when Johnstone went over in the corner.
The effort was sent up as a 'No Try' for the video referee but it was overruled, ensuring the hosts held a 12-0 advantage. However, just on the stroke of half-time, Lam threw a silky double pump pass, and Armstrong was there in support to race away and score with 20 seconds left on the clock. Cook converted to put six points between the two sides but it was clear with 40 minutes to go, Leigh still had a job on their hands.
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