Wakefield Trinity 4 Castleford Tigers 34: Painful derby run continues for Trinity

Such is Castleford’s dominance, Wakefield winger Corey Hall was only 12 years old the last time Trinity got the better of their neighbours.

Ali Lauitiiti was among the tryscorers that February afternoon in 2015 and how Willie Poching’s side could have done with a sprinkling of stardust on Thursday night.

Trinity produced a familiar derby performance and the home fans had seen enough long before Gareth O’Brien put the seal on a 34-4 victory for the Tigers.

Whereas Wakefield were sloppy throughout, Castleford produced a professional display as they bounced back from a painful Challenge Cup exit at the hands of Hull KR.

The Tigers led 14-0 at half-time thanks to tries from Mahe Fonua and Suaia Matagi, an unassailable lead even at that stage.

Greg Eden’s 100th Castleford try was the highlight of a scrappy second half that also saw Kenny Edwards and Paul McShane get their names on the scoresheet.

The win takes the Tigers above Wakefield in the Super League table at the start of a hectic period that could define their season.

For Trinity, whose only points came courtesy of Liam Kay’s late try, there were ominous signs as they look ahead to an Easter Monday date with Wigan Warriors.

In the build-up, Poching said Wakefield were seeing themselves as a different team in 2022.

But, despite winning at Warrington Wolves on consecutive weekends last month, the acid test was always going to be the derby against Castleford.

Poching insisted Trinity were not weighed down by history but the hosts made an inauspicious start to Thursday’s game.

The Tigers dominated the opening exchanges and quickly took control of the contest to the frustration of the home supporters.

O’Brien got the scoreboard moving with a 10th-minute penalty and in the blink of an eye Fonua was touching down in the corner.

Fast hands from Jake Trueman created the space out wide and Fonua finished the job with a powerful finish after ignoring Eden on his outside.