Daryl Powell went from frustration to elation as Wakefield Trinity snatched a rare home victory over Castleford Tigers in the first match of the Betfred Super League’s Rivals Round.
Trinity did not lead until Mason Lino landed a 76th-minute drop goal in Thursday’s derby clash at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, having trailed 12-0 at half time following three unconverted first-half tries from the visitors.
Scores from Harvey Smith and Max Jowitt, who also converted both, got Wakefield back on level terms before Lino gave them their first home derby win since September 2013, much to the relief of former Cas head coach Powell.
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“If you were a neutral watching that you’d say it was pretty good entertainment, but for a coach it was pretty tough to watch,” Powell told Sky Sports.
“I thought we were pretty poor in the first half and Castleford were outstanding and really put us under pressure. We found a way back in – it took us a long time.
“Just to win the game like that, I thought we were pretty done but we won the game so I’m pleased about that.”
Lino’s scrappy one-pointer came soon after Rowan Milnes had seen a drop goal attempt go off target for Castleford, followed by Daejarn Asi putting one narrowly wide for the Tigers on the final play of the game.
“It definitely counts, so I’ll take that,” player of the match Lino told Sky Sports.
“We made it hard for ourselves, especially in that first half, but credit to the boys for just digging in.
“We managed to get it at the end, so just very happy.”
Wakefield’s win, their first on home soil since their return to Super League, moved them up to seventh in the table with five matches still to be played in Round 8.
Castleford, meanwhile, stayed 10th with just one win from eight games so far in the competition and another derby against Wakefield at Magic Weekend in Newcastle following next week’s match away to bottom side Huddersfield Giants.
“We’ll be ready [to face Wakefield at St James’ Park],” McGuire told Sky Sports.
“They’re doing some really good things, Daryl has got them working hard for each other and committed.
“That’s the type of performance we’ve been striving for. We didn’t get the result, but we can take a lot from it.”
WAKEFIELD TRINITY 13 (H Smith, M Jowitt tries, M Jowitt 2 goals, M Lino 1 drop goal) beat CASTLEFORD TIGERS 12 (J Qareqare 2, S Wood tries) at DIY Kitchens Stadium. Referee: Aaron Moore.
