Trinity coach Chris Chester remains upbeat despite third successive loss
Friday 30 March 2018 10:24, UK
Castleford coach Daryl Powell was delighted his team were able to show their tough side as they ground out an 11-6 derby victory in atrocious conditions at Wakefield.
Powell's men were unable to produce the free-flowing style that earned them the nickname of 'Classy Cas' in their table-topping season in 2017 because of driving rain and clinging mud at the Mobile Rocket Stadium.
But Powell could not have been happier as they defended stoutly to claim a fifth successive win that lifts them up to third place in Betfred Super League.
"We've just had our victory song and it's the best one we've had for ages," Powell said.
"Teams are defined by performances in conditions like tonight and I'm delighted. You are not going to watch that and purr from a rugby league point of view but it wasn't a game for throwing the ball around.
"The conditions were tough and for us to come here and win, particularly when the momentum of the game changed in the second half, I think we showed a lot of character.
"It was a really tough effort. Sometimes we're not the toughest team at times but today we showed we've got a fair bit of steel about us."
Castleford led 7-0 at half-time thanks to a try from England forward Mike McMeeken and a conversion and drop goal from Luke Gale.
Wakefield hit back in the second half with winger Ben Jones-Bishop scoring for the fourth straight game against the Tigers but Gale kicked two late penalties to extend his side's run of derby wins to nine.
After making their best start to a Super League season with four consecutive wins, Trinity have now lost three in a row, but coach Chris Chester remains upbeat.
"I'm proud of the boys," he said. "I thought in the second half we showed some real grit and determination.
"I thought we were the better team. We dropped the ball over the line twice and I don't think we got the rub of the green.
"But take nothing away from Castleford. I thought they were very good in the first half with the wind behind them.
"It was a real tough game and real good team performance. We're disappointed we lost but it's fine margins and we just fell short again. We've just got to be a bit more clinical with the ball."
Wakefield prop David Fifita made a surprise appearance off the bench despite being ruled out with a groin injury.
"Ryan Hampshire went down with a sickness bug and Dave put his hand up," Chester said.
"There are no mind games and I thought he had a good game considering he's not trained for two weeks."
Powell sprung a surprise by bringing in teenager Jake Trueman and using him as a full-back, with Ben Roberts switched back to stand-off, and he was delighted with the youngster's display.
"I thought he was incredible," Powell said. "He handled it superbly. He's a tough kid and, when grounds dry up I think we will see some special things.
"He's a good half-back and I want to make the half-back position competitive. We'll see how the season unfolds."
