Wakefield Trinity aiming to be primed and ready for play-offs
Head coach Daryl Powell reckons the tough run-in with two of their top six rivals still to play can help Wakefield Trinity to be ready for the end of season play-offs to come.
The first objective is achieved with the Wakefield club confirmed to be through to the play-offs, now the next aim is ensure a top four finish which would guarantee at least one more home game.
And Powell wants his team to be battle hardened to be ready for the intensity of the play-offs so matches at home to Warrington Wolves this Saturday and then away to Leigh Leopards the following Friday will be good preparation for what is to come.
"We were given an opportunity and we've taken it to go a couple of points clear,” said the Trinity boss.
"It's in our hands but we know it'll be difficult. We know we're in the six, which takes a bit of pressure off. It's just about us really priming ourselves over the next couple of weeks.
"It looks like we're potentially battling for a home or away against Leigh, which sets up an interesting couple of weeks."
Trinity were tested in their latest game against York, but came through with a strong finish to end their run of three defeats.
"It was a close game so it's a feeling of relief," added Powell. "We needed to win that game. It puts us in the six, which is a class achievement again. We've got two games to spare as well.
"We've got some work to do after that but I thought we dominated the majority of the game.
"We got York towards the back end, which I think most teams have been doing.
"We needed to win and when you need to do something, it creates a little bit of tension. I thought there was tension in the crowd and tension in us at times.
"It was an awkward game in wet conditions and York are really competitive and durable. There are areas we'd want to be a little bit better in but overall we did a lot of really good things."
Trinity hope to have winger Tom Johnstone and back rower Isaiah Vagana back from injury for Saturday’s last regular season home game after both were included in the 21-man squad for the York match, but not risked.
Half-back Mason Lino did return after a long lay-off and was an eye-catching second half substitute so is pushing for a starting spot.