15 September 2023 , 22:00
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Emotional Mark Applegarth took the blame for relegation but insisted: “Wakefield Trinity will be back.”
The West Yorkshire club’s 24-year stint in Super League is over after a heartbreaking Golden Point extra-time defeat at Leigh. Needing a win to give themselves any chance of avoiding the drop, they looked set to do so and take matters into the final round. Trinity star Luke Gale’s drop goal with just 19 seconds of normal time remaining sent this thrilling game into extra-time.
But he and Max Jowitt - after Gale forced a hurried pass onto him - both missed further chances before Gareth O’Brien’s drop-goal with just 52 seconds remaining sealed it. Asked to sum up his emotions, Applegarth admitted: “I don’t think I can. I’m hurt. It stings. As head coach, the responsibility is on my shoulders. It's a bit raw. But it all sunk in as soon as I saw that drop goal go over.
“I can only apologise to our fans. We’ve been relegated. It’s not been good enough. I know the majority of them won't question the lads' efforts. We just missed that composure. But one thing I will guarantee is Wakefield Trinity WILL be back.”
The win secures a place in the Super play-offs for the first time for Challenge Cup winners Leigh. Trinity had gone behind after O’Brien’s 76th minute drop goal before Gale gave them hope. Trailing 16-6, Trinity had got in the contest after brilliant winger Lee Kershaw’s stunning two-try blast in six minutes at the start of the second period.
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Maso Lino added his second conversion so it was level at 16-16 before Ben Reynolds and Lino traded penalties. Leigh had scored first half tries through Tom Briscoe and Josh Charnley, Wakefield hooker Liam Hood scoring in between on his 250th career appearance. But Wakefield forward Kevin Proctor was sin-binned for a late hit.
Wakefield Trinity's Josh Griffin (left) and Max Jowitt look dejected as their relegation is confirmed following loss at Leigh (PA)Leigh’s Jack Hughes bundled over in the 43rd minute to make it 16-6. But more was to come. Leopards boss Adrian Lam admitted: “It was a bit nervous towards the end and I aged a bit. But we just seem to find a way to win in those situations.”