Daryl Powell believes Wakefield Trinity are "in a good place' ahead of start of Super League season
Wakefield Trinity boss Daryl Powell was pleased with the attitude and fluidity of his side as they warmed up for the start of Super League with a 14-try rout of Swinton Lions in the third round of the Betfred Challenge Cup.
Ahead from the third minute and 46-0 up by half-time, there was never any danger of an upset and Trinity can now look forward to a mouth watering last 16 cup tie at home to Leeds Rhinos.
There are Super League games to play before thoughts turn back to the cup and Powell believes his team is shaping up nicely after getting everything he was looking for in the Swinton tie.
He said: "The conditions were difficult, but we handled them well, our attitude was great both sides of the ball.
"We defended really well and played some really smart rugby league, whether that was playing direct and through or some of the really smart play to the outsides.
"It was a professional performance and we’ve come through it unscathed as well so we can move on to our first Super League game really happy with the fact we’re in the next round.
"There were loads of lessons and loads of positives. The combinations worked really well and we scored some smart tries.”
Powell was happy with all his players and pleased with the contribution of key new signing Tyson Smoothy in his first competitive game for the club.
He said: “Tyson looked really good, his distribution in tricky conditions – Harvey (Smith) was the same when he came on – was great.
"His play around the ruck area is really clever and he scored a try as well. He’ll be really pleased with his first hit out – I’m not sure he liked the pitch too much.
"Pretty much everybody out there played well."
It is all systems go now for the start of the Super League season with Trinity hosting Toulouse in their opening game on Saturday and excitement mounting.
"We’re just looking forward to it now, Toulouse at home it should be awesome, get the fireworks going again and off we go,” added Powell.
"We are in a good place and we’ve got some high quality players to come in.
"It’ll be a tough challenge, they’ve been sat there not doing much and they’ll be fresh and ready to go.
"For us I think we’re battle hardened now and the boys should be ready.”