Round 18
Hull KR 18 l. Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 26

2008 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Wakefield comeback win fitting tribute to legend Topliss
Sun June 22, 2008
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Wakefield Wildcats mounted a stirring late comeback to pay fitting tribute to the memory of David Topliss as they secured a thrilling 26-18 win at play-off rivals Hull KR.

John Kear's side, mourning the passing of club legend Topliss who died on Monday, had trailed 18-4 with 11 minutes remaining but four late scores from Brad Drew (2), Ryan Atkins and Jamie Rooney saw them end a traumatic week on a high.

The result will leave the home side shell-shocked, as they appeared well set to end run of three straight league defeats and rescue their failing play-off bid.

As it was, Wakefield were able to galvanise themselves and produce a fightback that their former player and coach would have been proud of.

Wearing black armbands embroidered with the name of the former Great Britain player, Wakefield dominated the first half but the home side found themselves ahead at the break after an edgy period, notable mainly for a fine opening score from Damian Blanch and Clint Newton's close-range effort to poke Hull KR back in front.

The video referee Ian Smith had already denied Stanley Gene and Blanch by the time the former Widnes winger edged Wakefield in front with a sixth try in five games.

Gene was adjudged to have knocked-on when taking in Michael Dobson's pass whilst Blanch stepped in touch when finishing off a fine Wakefield move - but there was no debating the validity of the score when he collected a cute kick from Danny Brough above the head of Peter Fox just shy of the 20-minute mark.

Despite an obvious rustiness in attack, Rovers did manage to fight their way back into the game just before the interval, when Newton notched a first try in eight games.

With Wakefield conceding 10 first-half penalties it was of little surprise that they found themselves camped on their own line and Newton eventually made them pay, albeit off a forward-looking pass from Ben Cockayne. Paul Cooke punted the goal to secure a slender lead at the hooter.

That lead was nearly increased six minutes into the second half when Cockayne thought he'd raced 40-metres clear to score, only for Ashley Klein to pull the move back for a forward final pass from Gene.

Cockayne saved a certain four points moments later though, with an outstanding cover tackle on Blanch after he had crept in to collect another superb kick from Brough.

His efforts were soon rewarded at the other end, with Michael Vella nipping in to finish off Chaz I'Anson's clever pass, although Wakefield may point to Klein's accidental obstruction of the cover defender Matt Blaymire as a reason.

Former Wakefield winger Fox, championed by his coach Justin Morgan to make Tony Smith's England squad on Monday, then appeared to have sealed the game when he slid in to poach his 10th score of the campaign, with Cooke adding a tricky touchline goal.

A close-range try from Brad Drew harnessed Wakefield though and when Ryan Atkins bumped his way over from Brough's ball they were only four points behind with six minutes remaining.

And, to complete a stunning fightback, Rooney posted a match-winning score after a Drew kick set Sam Obst free - then Drew completed the drama with a late second.

Report Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: Kear tribute to Topliss

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