History-makers Wakefield Trinity end 58 years of hurt in stunning Super League Grand Final triumph over Warrington Wolves

Tries from Cameron Scott, Isaiah Vagana, Jazz Tevaga and Tom Johnstone helped them to a deserved and historic 23-10 victory to end a 58-year wait for a top division league title.

Even local sides Featherstone Rovers and Dewsbury had secured major league titles in the intervening years – since 1968 – but this could now be the start of a trophy-laden modern era to rival the glory days of the winning 60s for Trin.

They are now just the sixth new name on the Super League Grand Final trophy. Do not rule them out of retaining it in 2027 with new recruits on the way.

Trin, under the guidance of Daryl Powell who now has his first Grand Final medal at the third time of asking as a player and head coach, seemed to start proceedings at the Theatre of Dreams by simply carrying on from where they left off at the Brick Community Stadium last week where they cruised past Wigan Warriors 33-6 in one of the most devastating play-off performances that Super League has ever seen.

And the first 40 here was one of the most destructive halves in Grand Final history.

Johnstone looked to be over for his 150th Super League try but he was denied by the finest of margins with his wrist skimming the touchline before he grounded the ball.

The lively winger then went close again but Trin, who were unchanged from the Wigan win, still managed to break the deadlock from the very same set. Daryl Powell’s men worked it neatly to the right with Jack Sinfield, who, along with 71,728 rugby league fans, witnessed his dad Sir Kevin deliver the famous trophy to complete his 7 in 7 challenge to raise money for MND charities, finding Lachlan Walmsley who superbly passed one-handedly to the wide open Scott.

Max Jowitt, who along with Walmsley and Scott is due to leave Belle Vue at the end of the year, was then dragged out of play to give Warrington some time in Trin’s half but Vagana and Trueman proved tougher than a brick wall before the trio of Jowitt, Scott and Walmsley prevented Josh Thewlis from crossing.

The inventive Tyson Smoothy, the first player in 22 years to win successive NRL and Super League Grand Finals, nailed a 40-20 kick to turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye, which allowed both Walmsley and Johnstone to go close to extending the lead.

That honour fell to Vagana who was in the right place at the right time to receive a pass from Johnstone, who had claimed a high Trueman kick.

It got even better ten minutes later when Tevaga, who had earlier passed an HIA, crashed over from dummy-half before Sinfield slotted over a drop-goal for a 19-0 half-time advantage.

The start to the second half, however, couldn’t have gone any worse for Trin as Hall was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Lindop, who then dummied his way over to get his side on the scoreboard. Star in the making Ewan Irwin then converted to become the youngest scorer in Super League Grand Final history at the tender age of 18.

Wire fans were then on their feet thinking a miraculous comeback was on the cards as Matty Ashton went over but there was a forward pass from Kelepi Tanginoa in the build-up.

But this historic day belonged to Wakefield. And how apt that it was the excellent Johnstone, who started his career at Belle Vue, who sealed the sensational victory when he squeezed over after great work from Trueman and Jowitt.

Lindop scored a consolation try but Trin’s fans, players and coaching staff were celebrating wildly soon after – with hopefully more triumphant days, and memories, to quickly follow.

Warrington: Thewlis, Hopoate, Lindop, King, Ashton, Williams, Irwin, Byrne, Walker, Harrison, Stone, Bentley, Currie.

Interchanges: Powell, Yates, Philbin, Tanginoa.

Tries: Lindop (2).

Conversions: Irwin.

Wakefield: Jowitt, Walmsley, Scott, Hall, Johnstone, Trueman, Sinfield, McMeeken, Smoothy, Rodwell, Lipowicz, Vagana, Tevaga.

Interchanges: Lino, Pitts, Hamlin-Uele, Faatili.

Tries: Scott, Vagana, Tevaga, Johnstone.

Conversions: Jowitt (3).

Drop-Goal: Sinfield.

Attendance: 71,728.