Wakefield 30-10 Catalans: Match report & reaction

Match stats: Wakefield 30-10 Catalans

Wakefield tries: Caton-Brown (36, 43, 57), Jones-Bishop (38, 64), Huby (70)
Conversions: Finn (57, 64, 70) 

Catalans tries: Duport (16), Yaha (50)
Conversions: Walsh (16) 

Match report: Trinity triumph over Dragons

Mason Caton-Brown scored his first hat-trick for Wakefield while Craig Huby celebrated his 300th career appearance with a try as Trinity came from behind to put an end to a run of three successive defeats with a 30-10 win against Catalans Dragons.

Trinity's victory, completing a season's double having won 38-18 in Perpignan earlier in April, leapfrogs them above their opponents in the Betfred Super League table.

Against the run of play the West Yorkshire side edged into an 8-6 half-time lead through tries two tries in three minutes just before the break, then added four more second-half touchdowns against a Dragons side three times reduced to 12 men.

Caton-Brown and Ben Jones-Bishop scored for the hosts after the Dragons had Fouad Yaha yellow-carded.

The French side, who had hitherto dominated the opening stanza, had centre Vincent Dupont to thank for their only try.

The second half began with Wakefield extending their lead through another Caton-Brown try but Yaha, just back on, got a score back before the former London Broncos and Salford back completed his treble.

Jones-Bishop added a spectacular 75-metre interception try before Huby completed the scoring.

Former Australian test star Greg Bird made a return after seven weeks out with a wrist injury and inspired the French side, victorious on their previous three visits to Belle Vue, into dominating the opening stanza.

Wakefield, who had had their surge up the table halted by three successive defeats, were forced to defend three goal line drop-outs in the opening exchanges.

The West Yorkshire side suffered a further blow when free-scoring winger Tom Johnstone was helped off with a worrying leg injury.

It took 13 minutes for Trinity to get into opposition territory with the ball in hand but.the game remained scoreless until a long, looping pass from Richie Myler stretched the defence out wide and put Vincent Duport over, with Luke Walsh adding a fine touchline conversion.

Midway through the half, helped forward by a penalty and on Wakefield's first real attack, Jones-Bishop crossed in the corner but had the try ruled out as Scott Grix's supply pass was deemed forward.

It was a rare threat from Trinity but, despite the French side's dominance, they were unable to increase their lead.

The tide turned through a break by back from injury Joe Arundel, who got to within three metres of the line before being halted by Yaha.

But the French winger held on too long and was sin-binned by referee Phil Bentham.

Wakefield immediately capitalised on the extra space with Grix putting Caton-Brown over.

Then, just before the hooter, Jones-Bishop dived over in the other corner to give the hosts and unlikely 8-6 half-time lead.

With the Dragons still reduced to 12 men, Wakefield struck again when an opportune long pass from Jacob Miller sent stand-in winger Caton-Brown in for his second try.

Liam Finn missed all three difficult conversions and, on his return, Yaha made some amends by crossing in the corner in the 50th minute.

Walsh was this time unable to add the extras to leave Trinity still two points ahead.

That soon became eight when Caton-Brown completed his hat-trick in the same corner and Finn finally got his angles right to add the goal.

Catalans were again their own worst enemies when Walsh was sin-binned for dissent and Jones-Bishop added his second of the game and tenth of the season when he intercepted a Myler pass deep in his own half.

Huby then marked his land-mark with Triniity's sixth and last last try 10 minutes from time.

Finn finished with three goals from six attempts.

Catalans were again reduced to 12 men by the late sin-binning of Duport.

Match reaction

Wakefield coach Chris Chester on his side's defensive display: "The pleasing aspect was just conceding one try in each half. We just strangled them with field position in the second half and defensively we really turned up for each other today.

"On our first five sets we lost the ball and were our own worst enemies, but showed some real character and some real team spirit.

"We've not been far away these past few weeks. We got smashed against Castleford and then were pretty good against Wigan and should have won again last week, throwing the game away against Warrington. But it's pleasing that we ground out a win and our first double of the season."

On Mason Caton-Brown: "Mason's full of confidence at the moment, carrying the ball well and scoring some good tries. He's a handful. I'm pleased for Mason, although he looks more comfortable in the centres than on the wing but needs must. It was a really strong defensive performance. We were scratchy with the ball but scored some really nice tries."

Laurent Frayssinous on his side's lack of discipline: "The first 40 minutes we were well in the game and I said to the boys that we will be rewarded, but the discipline - three yellow cards - cost us," said Frayssinous.

"The scoreboard doesn't reflect the game. I am disappointed that we didn't score more in the first half, the questions we asked weren't great. Wakefield were very good defensively for 80 minutes. They made a few errors but had plenty of energy.

"They are well coached and are a good team."