Wakefield 30-24 Salford: Tom Johnstone starts in Trinity win
Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix
England World Cup hopeful Tom Johnstone inspired Wakefield to a 30-24 win over Salford before leaving the action at half-time due to injury.
Wakefield got off to a flying start when captain Jacob Miller scored his first try of the season following a smart break by England World Cop hopeful Tom Johnstone.
Salford soon hit back with a try of their own through Wales international winger Rhys Williams.
Wakefield’s second try came through Johnstone, with Miller assisting this time. Johnstone plucked the kick out of the air to touch down.
Willie Poching’s Wakefield side extended their lead on the half hour mark. Trinity scored through Reece Lyne following a tremendous break from Johnstone. Full-back Max Jowitt converted to give Wakefield an 18-4 lead.
Johnstone was having a field day against the Red Devils. He scored from a brilliant solo try to give the hosts a 24-4 advantage at half-time.
But Trinity were dealt a blow at the break when winger Johnstone was forced off the field through injury and was replaced by James Batchelor.
HT: Wakefield Trinity 24-4 Salford Red Devils
Paul Rowley’s Red Devils came out firing in the second half. Deon Cross scored shortly after the second half restart, with Marc Sneyd convering.
Salford were piling on the pressure and got two more tries through in-form winger Ken Sio and Williams. The Red Devils were just 24-18 behind with 15 minutes left on the clock.
But Wakefield dealt Salford a blow to their comeback hopes in the 71st minute thanks to a Jay Pitts try.
Trinity hooker Liam Hood was sin-binned late on after the team conceded continuous penalties.
Sio got his second for Salford in the dying embers of the game but Poching’s men held on for a 30-24 victory at Belle Vue.
FT: Wakefield Trinity 30-24 Salford Red Devils
Wakefield: Jowitt; Kay, Lyne, Hall, Johnstone; Miller, Lino; Tanginoa, Hood, Arona, Ashurst, Pitts, Batchelor. Subs: Whitbread, Crowther, Battye, Aydin.
Tries: Miller, Johnstone (2), Lyne, Pitts Goals: Jowitt 5
Salford: Brierley; Williams, Cross, Lafai, Sio; Croft, Sneyd; Vuniyayawa, Ackers, Gerrard, Taylor, Lannon, Ormondroyd. Subs: Akauola, Burke, Atkin, Luckley.
Tries: Williams (2), Cross, Sio (2) Goals: Sneyd 2
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