Proud coach Daryl Powell hailed a “phenomenal” performance after Wakefield Trinity defied Matty Storton’s “harsh” red card to batter Castleford Tigers 52-14.

Storton scored Trinity’s opening try, but was sent off midway through the first half following an alleged elbow to the head of Tigers’ Alex Mellor. It was 6-6 at that stage and Cas went ahead moments later, but Trinity then ran in eight unanswered tries before the visitors grabbed a late consolation.

Powell said: “I thought it was a phenomenal performance. We started fantastic, then got pegged back a bit and had Matty sent off - I thought that was harsh, to be honest. To respond like we did is outstanding.

“The end of the first half and start of the second was unbelievable. We looked like we had an extra man ourselves. On both sides of the ball I thought we dominated the game in that period and built a big score.

Wakefield Trinity's Matty Storton, second from left, celebrates scoring against Castleford Tigers, but was sent-off soon afterwards. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Wakefield Trinity's Matty Storton, second from left, celebrates scoring against Castleford Tigers, but was sent-off soon afterwards. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

“We executed well and challenged kicks in a fantastic way and just found a way to win the game. What a performance from a 12-man team for a large part of the game.

Wakefield Trinity thrash Castleford Tigers 52-14 despite Matty Storton red card

“Truey [Jake Trueman] grabbed hold of the game in the second half and was unbelievable, really. I thought it was an outstanding performance from him and the team’s performance, how hard we worked for each other, was unbelievable.”

Of the sending-off, Storton’s second of the season, Powell said: “They said shoulder contact with the head, direct and aggressive or forceful. He has had a couple of them and I think he has been unlucky both times where the ball carrier dips and dips late.

Lachlan Walmsley celebrates with Josh Rourke and Wakefield Trinity fans after scoring in the 52-14 hammering of Castleford Tigers. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

“I think it’s harsh, but it is what it is. That’s the way they have seen it, all we can do is deal with what happens after it. But I think it is tough on Matty.”

Trinity finished with 11 players on the field after prop Mike McMeeken picked up a knock. Powell said: “He hurt his back early on and ended up with a swelling on his back that looked a bit weird. Matty [Crowther, Trinity’s physio] brought him off as a precaution.”