Super League: Wakefield Trinity 30-32 Warrington Wolves

Warrington's Stefan Ratchford profited from a quick start with two tries

Warrington survived a Wakefield onslaught to win at the Mobile Rocket Stadium and move just two points behind second-placed Wigan in Super League.

Stefan Ratchford crossed twice in the first 10 minutes, with Tom Lineham's try giving Wire a 20-0 advantage.

The hosts reduced their arrears to 22-6 at the break with Tinirau Aruna's try.

Two Kyle Wood scores kept Wakefield in it and though Kevin Brown replied, Tom Johnstone and Pauli Pauli crossed late on before Trinity ran out of time.

Visiting Warrington did not make life easy for themselves in the closing stages, having Sita Akauola sin-binned for a high tackle when they led 32-18 after 76 minutes.

Wakefield had just 21 seconds left on the clock after Pauli - who has signed a one-year contract extension - went over, and were left empty-handed despite outscoring their opponents five tries to four.

They stay sixth in the table, a point ahead of Leeds and Huddersfield.

Wakefield head coach Chris Chester:

"They were far superior to us in that first 25 minutes. I thought our contact was a long way off where it needed to be and we found ourselves 20 points down 25 minutes into a game.

"I've got to be happy with the character they showed in that second half. I couldn't be prouder of the guys.

"We've taken another top-four club right down to the wire and if we continue with that kind of effort over the next six, seven weeks we'll find ourselves in some big games at the end of the year.

"We went to toe-to-toe with a world-class team. They're probably the best team in the competition at the minute so to be disappointed not to have won the game shows how far we've come as a club."

Warrington head coach Steve Price:

"I felt we were always in control of the game. The first 25 minutes we played some really exciting and attractive football. We played with a lot of finesse and directness.

"The scoreline didn't really indicate the true value of the game. But credit to Wakefield. They're very awkward to play at home.

"We got a bit sloppy at the end but I know what sort of footy team we have and there's a lot more improvement left in us."

Wakefield: Jowitt, Jones-Bishop, Tupou, Lyne, Johnstone, Miller, Hampshire, Fifita, Randell, England, Pauli, Ashurst, Horo.

Replacements: Wood, Kirmond, Arona, Hirst.

Warrington: Ratchford, Lineham, Goodwin, Atkins, Charnley, K Brown, Roberts, Hill, Clark, Cooper, Livett, Hughes, Westwood.

Replacements: Murdoch-Masila, Patton, Akauola, Crosby.