Wakefield Trinity coach Chester left stunned by margin of success

DELIGHTED BOSS Chris Chester admitted his side's 72-10 annihilation of Hull was beyond his wildest expectations.
James Batchelor, of Wakefield Trinity, celebrates after scoring a try at the end of the first half.James Batchelor, of Wakefield Trinity, celebrates after scoring a try at the end of the first half.
James Batchelor, of Wakefield Trinity, celebrates after scoring a try at the end of the first half.

Trinity’s victory confirmed them in the Betfred Super-8s with one game, at Huddersfield Giants on Friday, remaining in the regular season.

Wakefield, who led 38-0 at half-time, recorded their highest Super League score and the result equalled their biggest winning margin.

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It was also the most points Hull have conceded in the competition.

Wakefield's Jacob Miller celebrates after scoring a try against Hull.Wakefield's Jacob Miller celebrates after scoring a try against Hull.
Wakefield's Jacob Miller celebrates after scoring a try against Hull.

Defeat would have left Trinity vying with Leeds Rhinos for the final place in the top-eight in Friday’s last round of fixtures and Chester admitted the heat has been on his side in recent matches.

He said: “The pressure has been ridiculous.

“It has been a really tough couple of weeks with Catalans and Huddersfield doing as well as they have been and Leeds getting a win on Friday put a lot of pressure on the boys, but I think they’ve handled it really well.

“It was a polished display, we were good defensively and did a lot of special things with the ball.

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“It feels like someone’s stuck a pin in me and all the pressure’s off. I could not be more pleased.”

Hull – who had won their previous eight meetings with Trinity – altered their 19-man squad the day before the game to bring four players back from injury and Chester felt that worked in his side’s favour.

“That kind of helped us, it gave us a real focus,” he said.

“We knew had to turn up.

“I think we got the week right and that’s credit not only to the players, but the backroom staff as well.

“We always felt comfortable coming into the game, but didn’t expect that scoreline.”

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Chester added: “I can’t think of anybody who didn’t contribute.

“Everybody was fantastic.

“The pack were strong, Milky and Rocky [half-backs Jacob Miller and Ryan Hampshire] combined really well and Reece Lyne looked like a future international.”

It is the third successive season Trinity have qualified for the Super-8s and Chester described that as “a fantastic achievement in itself”.