Warrington Wolves second-half collapse follows worrying trend

THE trip to Wakefield is always like travelling back in rugby league time. A charming old ground – I’m sure it’s often described in less flattering ways – reminding us of how the game was before the Super Summer revolution.

Fans are really close to the small pitch where points always seem likely. Wire got off to another fast start and once again showed signs of a pleasing cutting edge near their opponents try line.

Three tries inside the first 15 minutes from King, Charnley and Hill blew Wire out to an 18-0 lead. King’s try was the latest this season to come from a cross-field kick from a half back, this time Patton, hopefully that will be a route to tries that teams won’t be able to block all season.

A slick handling move to the left look to have extended Wire’s lead with a try from Mamo, but it was chalked off for a somewhat baffling obstruction call.

If that is how obstruction is to be judged, then it would appear to be open for defenders to fling themselves at a lead runner and claim obstruction.

That first disallowed try was Wakefield’s first foothold in the game, they scored their first try soon after, then had a sustained spell of pressure.

Wire’s goal line defence held firm though and before half time they had another try of their own, Austin providing a clear example of the value of having a running half-back in the team when he charged through a gap to score under the posts from about twenty yards out. A 26-6 lead at half time didn’t flatter Wire.

In the second half, Charnley added another trade mark finish to his collection, squeezing over in the corner after supporting a break that Austin made from around the half way line. A 34-12 lead and a rare comfortable win at Wakefield looked in the offing.

Mamo was unlucky to have a second try not allowed, when he was judged to have grounded the ball just on the dead ball line rather than a fraction inside it.

Then came the Wakefield fightback, the sort of sustained spell of successful attack that made it feel like we were watching the highlights of a game.

As with all big comebacks the first try feels like a consolation, the next one makes the score look respectable then all of a sudden the next one puts the result in doubt.

They scored again to get within two points, much to our relief Brough couldn’t convert successfully from the touchline with two minutes to go and Wire hung on for the victory.

Lots of penalties were given away again, but this match was a classic case of needing to know the story behind the simple stats as many of the penalties didn’t really hurt the team and some maybe even helped them.

Performance levels dropping off in the second half is already becoming a worrying trend.

No team is ever near perfect for the full season but being a group of players who have never won a title together, Wire could do with having as much momentum and confidence as possible going into the play-offs rather than relying on being able to ‘turn it on’ come play-off time.

There is an old sports coaching saying of there’s no such thing as winning and losing, just winning and learning. Hopefully Wire continue to do plenty of both this season.