Sheffield Eagles 'busted up' after defeat to Wakefield

Wakefield head coach Chris Chester expressed disappointment that his side did not press home their advantage more in the second half despite easing into the sixth round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup with a 44-10 victory over Sheffield Eagles.
Eagles defeatEagles defeat
Eagles defeat

The in-form Wildcats, who have now won five games in a row since Chester arrived, ran in six first half tries to lead 32-10 but added only two more in a scrappy second period against the Kingstone Press Championship side.

"We defended well in the second half, although they didn't ask too many questions, but I was disappointed that we were a little too lateral," said Chester.

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"There was lots of effort from everybody but one of those games that never really got going - very stop, start with a lot of errors.

"The main thing is that we got through to the next round."

Chester, who guided his former team Hull KR to the final at Wembley last August, is now hoping for a home draw in the last 16.

He said: "Anybody at home - the way that we are playing we don't fear anyone."

But Chester fears the Wildcats could be without Joe Arundel for the foreseeable future after a dubious tackle midway through the second half that was put on report.

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"I felt it was a pretty naughty challenge and it looks like Joe might be out for a number of weeks," he added.

"The guy went in hard at his knees and we don't want to see that sort of thing in our game and they are happening far too frequently for my liking."

Sheffield took an early lead through the first of two Menzie Yere tries but six scores from Wakefield gave the Super league side a healthy half-time advantage.

Liam Finn (twice), Tom Johnstone, Ben Jones-Bishop and Tinirau Arona all crossed before the interval, with Mikey Sio and a second touchdown from the impressive Arona being added in the second period.

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Finn added six goals for a personal haul of 20 points, while Cory Aston landed the Eagles' sole conversion.

His father and coach Mark Aston, whose Championship Eagles have managed only one win in their last six league games, said: "We've been a bit soft recently and I asked for a response and to get the attitude right, both in the first 20 minutes and in the second half when we only let 12 points, was pleasing - so we fronted up.

"We only had 10 sets in the first half so we didn't have many chances. But we had a dig and there is light at the end of the tunnel for us so hopefully we can build on that."

Aston lost second rower Duane Straugheir to concussion midway through the second half:

Aston added: "He's gone to hospital for a check and might have fractured his eye socket, while George Tyson came off with a medial strain (knee) so we are a bit busted up."