Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 18-10 London Broncos

Danny Kirmond scored Wakefield's first try

Wakefield came from behind to beat London Broncos and get new coach James Webster's reign off to a winning start.

Danny Kirmond's try put the hosts in front but Broncos led 10-4 at half-time as Iliess Macani and Tom Minns went over within two minutes each other.

Daniel Smith's try, converted by Paul Sykes, then drew Wakefield level.

A penalty from Sykes edged the home side ahead and he then successfully kicked the conversion for Matt Ryan's try on the stroke of full-time.

Kick-off was met by a torrential downpour and conditions were difficult in the early stages with plenty of standing water.

A knock-on by London proved costly as a deft pass by Tim Smith sent Kirmond crashing through to put Wakefield ahead, although Sykes put the conversion wide.

The scrappy start continued with both sides struggling to control the ball in the wet conditions and a bouncing ball ended up being touched down by Macani to draw London level, with Josh Drinkwater kicking the extras.

Minns collected a short kick to go over two minutes later to put the visitors 10-4 ahead, a lead they held at half-time.

Wakefield pressured in the early stages after the break and it eventually paid off, as they grew in confidence as the half went on.

Tim Smith fed his namesake Daniel to go over and Sykes's conversion and subsequent penalty edged the Wildcats ahead.

Ryan put the gloss on the win with Wakefield's third try as London were unable to deal with a kick, to leave the Broncos rooted to the bottom of Super League with 16 defeats in 16 matches.

Wakefield coach James Webster:

"I'm just relieved to get the win, to be honest. We played some efficient rugby and the most pleasing thing was that we only gave away two tries.

"I thought our defence, other than one line break, was really good.

"It was about respecting the conditions. London did a good job on playing them in the first half."

London Broncos coach Joe Grima:

"We want to win so bad we can taste it and we've got a group of players who can rival teams in the top eight for togetherness.

"That's the sort of stuff that makes me want to get up every morning - the willingness of the guys to win.

"It's probably our execution that has let us down but that was the best performance defensively we've had."

Wakefield: Mathers; Owen, Ryan, Walshaw, Riley; Sykes, T Smith; Anderson, McShane, Scruton, Washbrook, Kirmond, D Smith.

Replacements: Godinet, Tautai, Molloy, Gilmour.

London Broncos: Mataitonga; Macani, Caton-Brown, Minns, O'Callaghan; Cunningham, Drinkwater; Slyney, Moore, Greenwood, Vea, Cook, Foster.

Replacements: Griffin, Krasniqi, Lovell, Wallace.

Attendance: 4,079.

Referee: Robert Hicks (RFL).