Hull FC’s defeat against the Leeds Rhinos left the door wide open for Wakefield Trinity to step into the top six, and a coveted pay off place, should they be able to despatch the challenge of the Huddersfield Giants.

Wakefield were handicapped by twelve points on the coupon as the bookies picked them as strong favourites to win the derby.

Trinity won the game in July at a canter by 46-10 after previously knocking Huddersfield out of the Challenge Cup in March with a 22-12 score line.

The home side took just seven minutes to register their first points, Matty Russell diving over in the right corner after Wakefield generated a massive overlap. Mason Lino added the extra two from the touchline.

Wakefield added a penalty goal from the boot of Lino on thirteen and on eighteen a barnstorming run from Caius Faatili saw the big forward go over from twenty metres out to score by the right upright. Lino missed the conversion, but as the clock ticked to the twenty-minute mark it looked like it would be a long and miserable afternoon for the Giants.

Taane Milne was sin-binned on twenty-three for a high tackle on Josh Rourke.The Giants defended with twelve me until Milne returned and then great defence from Huddersfield on thirty-four prevented an almost certain try from Jake Trueman.

Two minutes after the try-saver, Harvey Smith dropped the shoulder and then rode the tackle to ground. Lino added the conversion for 18-0, Wakefield heading for sixth place in the table.

A ball steal on the line on the hooter heralded a penalty for the Giants, George Flanagan kicking the two to get points on the board for the visitors.

The Giants defence lasted just four minutes in the second half, Seth Nikotemo allowed to drop a shoulder and walk through the defensive line to dive over. Lino was on target again, this one in off the post, for 24-2.

Two minutes later Jake Trueman had the simplest of runs to the line after taking an Atoni inside pass to score under the uprights. Lino was on target with his easiest of the evening for 30-2.

A third try in eight minutes, this one from Renouf Atoni as he took a short pass and pushed over two tacklers to ground, Lino added a sixth goal for Wakefield for 36-2.

A kick from Trueman took a ricochet and was collected by the kicker who then passed out to full back Rourke for the try. Lino was on target again for 42-2.

On sixty-nine Russell got his second of the game as he took a bounce pass wide on the wing and avoided the two Giants tacklers to ground. Lino kicked his eighth goal from the touchline, Wakefield just two points short of the fifty.

The last few minutes became increasingly fractious. A dangerous tackle from Zac Woolford saw him sin-binned on seventy-four, the Giants would finish the game a man down but three minutes later the numbers were levelled when a high tackle on a slipping Halsall, by Mason Lino, saw him get ten minutes in the bin.

Wakefield Trinity are back in the six and are now masters of their own destiny as they become favourites to take the last play-off berth. Trinity have still to play Castleford, Hul KR and Salford, whereas their competitors Hull FC face Hull KR, Warrington and Catalans. The Giants, on the other hand, can’t wait for the season to be over.

Wakefield Trinity: Rourke (T), Russell (2T), Scott, Pratt, Johnstone, Trueman (T), Lino (G 8/9, SB on 77), McMeeken, Hood, Faatili (T), Storton, Nikotemo (T), Pitts.  Subs: Atoni (T), Cozza, Smith (T), Vagana. 18^th Man: Jowitt.

Huddersfield Giants: Flanagan (G 1/1), Halsall, Milne (SB on 23), Gagai, Bibby, Land, Rush, Rogers, Woolford (SB on 74), Powell, Rushton, Greenwood, Cudjoe. Subs: Golding, English, Burgess, Wilson. 18^th Man: McGowan.

Half-Time: 18-2.

Full-Time: 48-2.

Score Progression: 4-0, 6-0, 8-0, 12-0, (SB), 16-0, 18-0, 18-2 : HT: 22-2, 24-2, 28-2, 30-2, 34-2, 36-2, 40-2, 42-2, 46-2, 48-2, (SB), (SB) :FT.

Lead Exchanges: Wakefield.

Referee: Jack Smith.