Catalans 14-38 Wakefield
Suggestions that Wakefield Trinity Wildcats may now just make up the Super League numbers appear to be way off the mark in the wake of a superb seven try victory in Perpignan. So often in recent times Wakefield have triumphed through adversity and this was another example as they rose above a traumatic week that saw the departures three frontline players, new owners finally installed and a four point deduction from the RFL to bury Catalan Dragons in their own back yard.
There were two tries each from debutant Frankie Mariano and former St Helens centre Chris Dean while Kevin Penny, Keiran Hyde and Luke George also went over.
Mariano scored the first try for Wakefield before George broke and was unlucky not to finish. The Wildcats didn’t wait too long for their second try when Kevin Penny opened his Wildcats account for Josh Vievers to goal. A further penalty from Veievers stretched the advantage to 14-0 but Catalan hit back with an eight point burst before the break. First Sebatien Raguin went over for Scott Dureau to goal and then the halfback added a penalty to close the half with the Dragons trailing 14-8.
Three tries in the third period helped the Wildcats grab a 28-8 stranglehold.
James Davey, recalled from his dual contract at Featherstone, broke downfield for Dean to grab his first. Although that was unconverted, Veievers found his range again a couple of minutes later when Mariano took several defenders to the line with him for his second try. Dean also claimed his brace before a second try from Catalan, goaled by Dureau threatened to upset the brave Wildcats.
Wakefield then struck a hammer blow to the Dragons hopes when they scooped up a loose ball on halfway and youngster Kieran Hyde scampered over for Veivers to add his fifth goal.
As Catalan tried to make an impact, they came up with another error near the end when George latched onto a wayward pass and sailed over and although there was no conversion this time from Veivers, that final try ensured a fantastic 38-14 win for John Kear’s embattled team which must surely rank high in the list of great results coached by the experienced boss.
