“NOT terrific but OK” was Tony Smith’s verdict of Wolves’ performance at Belle Vue, which sounds about fair for a game that never really sparked into life.

Then again, pulling results out of the bag with something left to spare is one of the traits of a champion team.

When The Wire swept Wakefield aside so destructively in the Challenge Cup semi-final just two weeks previously, they made a poor start and they did the same here when Jonny Molloy latched onto Jacob Miller’s teasing grubber.

The visitors were taking a while to get into their stride, but one Judah Mazive error later and the ball was shifted through the hands for Ben Currie to add another try to his impressive collection.

While the second-rower is a prolific try-scorer, the same cannot be said of Chris Hill. He had scored only once this season, against Championship side Oldham in the Challenge Cup, before he rumbled over to give Wolves the lead.

Once Ryan Atkins had capitalised on a Max Jowitt slip to touch down Chris Sandow’s kick, Wolves had eeked out a 10-point half-time lead.

However, much unlike the demolition job in Leigh, Wakefield came out for the second half with renewed vigour and were camped inside Wolves territory, with a superb, try-saving tackle from Stefan Ratchford on David Fifita the highlight of an excellent defensive effort.

Wakefield were tightening the screw, but once Matty Russell had picked off a pass to race over, the pressure valve was released somewhat.

While the Scotland international was scintillating in attack, his defence was found wanting when Molloy looped a pass over his head for Mazive to dive over for a try the hosts probably deserved.

Thankfully though, from a Wire perspective, that was as good as it got as Daryl Clark muscled his way over six minutes later.

Russell chased his own kick to score his second try before Joe Westerman spun off a tackle to round off the scoring late on.

Job done and the Super 8s campaign is off the ground, but as The Hollies once sang, the road is long…

INTERESTING NOTES:

  •  The Wire leapfrog Wigan into second in the table.
  •  Wolves unbeaten away from home in the league since Magic Weekend defeat to Castleford.
  • Chris Hill crosses for first league try of the season.

MATCH FACTS:

Wildcats: Craig Hall; Judah Mazive, Reece Lyne, Joe Arundel, Ben Jones-Bishop; Jacob Miller, Liam Finn; Nick Scruton, Mikey Sio, Tinirau Arona, Jason Walton, Jonny Molloy, Jordan Crowther. Subs: Max Jowitt, Andy Yates, James Batchelor, David Fifita.

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Rhys Evans, Toby King, Ryan Atkins, Matty Russell; Kurt Gidley, Chris Sandow; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, Jack Hughes, Ben Currie, Joe Westerman. Subs: Brad Dwyer, Ben Westwood, George King, Sam Wilde.

Scoring: Molloy try, 5mins, Finn goal, 6-0; Currie try, 19mins, 6-4; Hill try, 25mins, Gidley goal, 6-10; Atkins try, 38mins, Gidley goal, 6-16; Russell try, 48mins, Gidley goal, 6-22; Mazive try, 53mins, 10-22; Clark try, 59mins, 10-26; Russell try, 66mins, Gidley goal, 10-32; Westerman try, 75mins, Gidley goal, 10-38.

Penalties: Wildcats 7 Wolves 8.

Referee: Robert Hicks.

Attendance: 3,552.

Top Man: Ben Currie.