Wakefield go second with gritty win over Bradford

Wakefield go second with gritty win over BradfordImage source, SW PixImage caption, Will Tate has scored six Super League tries this seasonPublished32 minutes ago5 CommentsBetfred Super LeagueBradford (6) 12Tries: Ryan, Atkin Goals: Hooley 2Wakefield (10) 26Tries: Johnstone, Tate, Pitts, Rourke, Smith Goals: Rourke 3Wakefield Trinity moved into second place in the Super League table but not before surviving a scare against tenacious Bradford Bulls.Daryl Powell's title-chasing outfit eventually edged a tight encounter, pulling 26-12 clear in the final stages to post an eighth win in their last nine and move to within two points of Leeds Rhinos on pole.Tries from Tom Johnstone, Will Tate, Jay Pitts, Josh Rourke and Harvey Smith plus three goals from Rourke's boot proved enough for Trinity to keep their noses in front throughout the contest.Yet it was a result that was only placed safely in the kitbag in the final 10 minutes when Smith went over to put clear daylight between the sides.For Bradford it was a fifth defeat in six outings but there were plenty of positives to take from a performance which left them in 11th place, still 10 points off the play-off positions.This was an important win for Powell's outfit and they had to battle hard for it.Trinity will face stiff competition for the home advantage offered in the play-offs for a top-two finish and with five of the top seven teams to play in their last nine regular season games, every battle won is a step closer.If it was not a vintage performance - and one where they spent long periods scrapping for their lives near their own goalline - their class ultimately prevailed.Johnstone's early try, capitalising on a chaotic start from their hosts, suggested this might be a long night for the Bulls.But it was to Bradford's credit that they refused to let Trinity gallop clear, particularly as they had had to hastily rearrange the side after losing the influential Loghan Lewis to a pre-match injury...