Mark Applegarth ‘really proud’ as Wakefield pick up their first win of the Super League season

Wakefield coach Mark Applegarth cut a very proud figure after his side registered their first win of the Super League season after beating Leeds.

Trinity earned their first Super League win of 2023 at their 15th attempt as they claimedl a 24-14 win over Leeds at Belle Vue on Sunday afternoon.

The score was locked at 10-10 at half-time before Trinity dug deep in the second half, albeit a man down after debutant Hugo Salabio was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Richie Myler, to get their first win of the campaign.

Speaking after the game, Applegarth said: “People have been questioning the team spirit and they have answered quite a few of those questions today.

“We have done it tough and the most pleasing thing is we have given ourselves a fighting chance.

“When we went down to 12 men it would have been quite easy to roll over and say ‘here we go again’, but we dug in and I’m really proud of them.”

Mark Applegarth: Hopefully we can kick on now

Applegarth, who had no complaints over Salabio’s dismissal, said he hopes this win can galvanise the squad as they look to mount the great escape and avoid relegation.

The Trinity boss said: “After going so many games without a win it gets the monkey off your back and it’s not something I’ve ever experienced in my coaching career at any level.

“It takes that off us now and hopefully we can kick on.

“We’ve got about 12 players due back for the Hull KR game, and hopefully it will enable us to kick on and put some pressure on those teams around us.”

Wakefield have a week off next week due to the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, so their next game will be against Hull KR on Friday, June 23 (8pm).

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