Premier League: Wakefield Trinity 18-14 Leigh Leopards

Wakefield led 8-4 at halftime. Loose striker Jaz Tivaja gave them the lead with his first try for the club in the 11th minute, with some late shots clearing the impressive Samoan outside Isaac Leo near the line for Lee to cross.

Lee came close in the 19th minute but Tom Johnstone, making his 200th career appearance, prevented Hughes from shooting the ball over the goal line.

Wakefield’s Jayden Myers had an effort disallowed for a football when he launched himself into the right corner after good defending from Ennis Senior.

But after Caius Vatelli brought the ball down in a challenge from Liam Horne from kick-off, Leigh punished Trinity with full-back Gareth O’Brien forcing his way in to try and keep them connected.

Myers extended Wakefield’s lead within two minutes of the restart, as O’Brien failed to deal with Tyson Smoothie’s shot and curled the effort down the wing after Vatelli’s farm kick on the final tackle had caused confusion in the Lee ranks.

Magnificent defending denied Max Jowett first Tessie New, the full-back putting his body under the center as he crossed the goal line, and then Senior in the corner.

Lee also had a try from Frankie Halton ruled out for a knockdown by Horn on a busy night for video referee Liam Moore.

But Hughes’ loss to Sin Ben, for an off-the-ball challenge just after the hour mark, proved crucial as Wakefield made the most of the extra man with Ollie Pratt’s 64th-minute pass.

Josh Charnley pulled in a try 10 minutes from time from Adam Cook’s pass – his 258th in the Premier League – but although Jakob Alec Finke crossed with 30 seconds left, the visitors failed to complete the comeback win.