16 April 2023 , 18:27
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Leigh's Josh Charnley grabbed another two tries to wreck winless Wakefield and leave boss Adriam Lam wondering why he’s not picked for England.
Super League’s leading scorer grabbed a brace to take his season tally to 12. The ex-Wigan winger, 31, was too sharp as Leigh condemned Wakefield to a ninth successive loss and left them already fearing relegation. He has scored more points on his own this term than the entire Trinity team who stumbled to a FIFTH nilling in only nine games.
Yet Charnley - who’s not played for his country since 2014 - was again overlooked by England boss Shaun Wane when he named his 40-man squad last week. After a fourth win left his promoted side just two points off the play-off places, Lam said: "I think he should be in that squad. That’s all that needs to be said. I felt for him. He can’t be doing much more. It is what it is but people around him are really proud of him.
“His pre-season was as professional as any player I’ve ever been involved with around the world and he’s reaping the rewards.”
Ex-Sydney Roosters stand-off Lachlan Lam was great, too, scoring one try and helping create four more. Shambolic Wakefield desperately need someone of his creativity just to score some points, let alone get a win. They’ve only mustered 23 points in their last eight outings and look destined for the drop unless something changes quickly. But Wakefield started well and held their own until the 29th minute.
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However, once Gareth O’Brien unleashed Charnley and followed up to take the return pass, they never looked like recovering. Lam then turned on the class to send Kai O’Donnell crashing through, ex-Trinity half-back Reynolds finishing off. Reynolds slotted the first of his four goals for a 10-0 interval lead.
But his side caused havoc in the second period. Charnley breezed past Morgan Smith far too easily to send Lam racing in before Will Dagger messed up Lam’s grubber to gift Charnley his first. Lam then broke to put Charnley in for his second before Liam Kay dropped Lam’s next kick to hand another try to Joe Mellor.
Leigh's Lachlan Lam hands off Wakefield's Sam Hewitt (Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com) (Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)Battered Wakefield boss Mark Applegarth is still seeking his first win but insists he remains the right man for the job.
He said: “I’ve been asked this question since round two, and it’s a valid one, but yes I do. Of course I think I’m the right man, it’s just a difficult process we’re going through. That second half was unacceptable. We just came out and did the complete opposite of what we said we would.
“I can’t keep on saying the same thing every week. We have got to fix it up. Ultimately, I'm head coach. It’s my responsibility. The buck stops with me. I don’t fear it (the sack) as I can’t control that. But I’m pi**ed off when I see one thing in training and players coming do different things in the game. That’s what rattles me.”