Warrington Wolves 27-16 Wakefield Trinity: Wire start Super League season with two wins from two

Wire gave further evidence that they could make a fist of challenging for honours this season as Sneyd gave a kicking masterclass and they had the defensive resilience to hold firm as Trinity came good.

Wakefield had won the previous three meetings of these two, but they were soon in trouble as Sneyd slotted over a penalty and then video referee Chris Kendall overturned an on-field verdict of “no try” to give Sipley four points.

A few minutes later, Hopoate supported Danny Walker’s break to streak away for another try for 14-0.

Wire seemed to have made a costly error as they responded to strong Wakefield pressure right at the end of the half by committing repeat offences which saw Sipley sin-binned and Jowitt kick the resulting penalty to give his side a toe-hold.

That became a firmer platform early in the second half as Trinity made use of the extra man, Trueman slinging a fine pass over the top for Jowitt to score in the corner.

Sipley’s first act on returning to the field was a ruck infringement which led to Trueman coming up with an even better looping cut-out pass and Myers finished to cut the lead to just four points.

That spurred Wire into action after a drop in tempo and Sneyd’s boot took control as he chipped the ball out to Smith, playing first-class rugby for the first time, to score his first try, which Sneyd converted and then added a penalty to give his side breathing space.

Pratt then got on the end of a fine kick by Jack Sinfield to score in the corner and when Jowitt brilliantly nailed the tough conversion, the game was back in the balance.

Wakefield seemed certain to score as Myers streaked for the corner but 20-year-old full-back Cai Taylor-Wray, who wowed the crowd with his attacking prowess against St Helens, produced a magnificent tackle to bundle him into touch and retain the lead.

Sneyd dropped a goal and then chipped another delicate kick to the corner for Smith to grab and pass in mid-air for King to remove any doubt.