The Morning After: Impressive Scott Taylor & why Luke Gale will have to wait even longer for debut

The Morning After looks at three talking points from the latest Super League action between Wakefield and Hull at Belle Vue. 

Vital Hull win

It would appear Hull are well and truly clear from any potential relegation fight – if they were ever in one.

Tony Smith’s side claimed their fifth win of the season with a 26-6 score over Wakefield at Belle Vue on Thursday night, live on Sky Sports.

Hull’s third successive victory also saw the side overtake Huddersfield on the Super League table 

Adam Swift’s try was the only difference at the break, assisted by a looping Jake Clifford pass, finding the defending Tom Lineham out of position on the wing. 

Captain Carlos Tuimavave made it 12-0 early on in the second 40, before Clifford converted a penalty on the hour mark for a 14-0 lead. 

Centre Liam Sutcliffe crossed for his sixth try of the season just two minutes later, while Matty Ashurst made sure his side did not suffer their sixth nilling of the season with a late consolation four-pointer, his third of the season. 

Scott Taylor capped off an impressive performance with a try next to the posts with just minutes left on the clock in the victory.

Wakefield’s Super League survival ultimately has just got a whole tougher – with only Castleford realistically still in the battle.

Andy Lasts’s side have claimed just two wins so far this season and host Catalans on Friday. 

Why Gale will have to wait even longer for debut

Luke Gale will have to wait even longer to make his Wakefield debut.

Head coach Mark Applegarth opted to play Mason Lino and Morgan Smith in the halves against Hull, after the pair impressed in the defeat against Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Gale, 34, has almost completed two weeks at the club, having joined from Keighley on an 18-month contract.

The ex-England international will have to wait even longer though to make his debut with the Challenge Cup sixth round next up.

Wakefield will host Leigh as Gale finds himself cup tied, having featured for Keighley in their 34-16 defeat to Batley in April. 

Impressive Scott Taylor

Ex-England international Taylor impressed for the visitors with a handful of powerful runs in the middle of the field, making good post-contact metres, and claiming Sky Sports’ Player of the Match.

The 32-year-old is off-contract at the end of the season, and just might well be playing for an extended deal to finish his career at the MKM Stadium.

He was rewarded with a try in the dying minutes, his third of the season, powering over with three defenders on his back.

His defensive effort was also to be admired against Applegarth’s side.

READ NEXT: Tony Smith’s words of wisdom to Wakefield following horror start to season

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