WAKEFIELD forced officials to put the League Leaders Shield away for another week when they rocked first-placed Hull KR.
Willie Peters’ side was expected to take the first-past-the-post trophy home from DIY Kitchens Stadium but instead that was almost a lose cause by halftime when they trailed 26-0.
After losing 28-12 they must now beat Warrington at home on Friday night to be guaranteed of the trophy.
“That first half was terrible, absolutely terrible,” Peters told Sky Sports.
“I thought overall it wasn’t us. Well, it was us – because that’s what we dished up.
“It was everything. We just lacked any intent and want in every area and we had a lot to play for.
“We don’t deserve to win the League Leaders if we’re going to play like that next week.
“It was no surprise seeing Wigan play like they did last night and they’ll play like that again next week.
“But if we play like that, we’re not going to beat Warrington – simple as that.”
Wakefield’s assignment is to win at Salford next Friday to make the play-offs in their first year back from the Championship.
“To do what we have and give ourselves a shot at the top six would be, I think, an outstanding first year for us,” said coach Darryl Powell.
“Pay our respects to Salford, get the job done and if we do it looks like it will be Leigh away. They’re doing pretty well.”
Captain Mike McMeeken added: “Two years ago we got relegated as a team. You look back and don’t want to think that finishing outside the play-offs isn’t a good result.
“How far this club has come is massive but it’s also testimony to the club that we’re happy just finishing outside the play-offs. We want to be in the play-offs.”
WAKEFIELD 28 (Scott Trueman Jowitt Leno tries Jowitt 6 goals) beat HULL KR 10 (Gildart Mourge tries Mourge goal) at DIY Kitchens Stadium.
Teams:
WAKEFIELD: Max Jowitt; Jayden Myers, Cameron Scott, Oliver Pratt, Tom Johnstone; Jake Trueman, Mason Lino; Mike McMeeken (c), Liam Hood, Caius Faatili, Seth Nikatimo, Matty Stornton, Jay Pitts. Res: Ky Rodwell, Josh Griffin, Renouf Atoni, Harvey Smith. 18th man: Mathieu Cozza.
ROVERS: Arthur Mourge; Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Jack Broadbent; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Jai Whitbred, Jez Litten, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella. Res: Sam Luckley, Eribe Doro, Bill Leyland, Jack Brown.
Referee: Chris Kendall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqBVIGiL61o