Tom Johnstone marked his long-awaited comeback with a hat-trick as Wakefield Trinity spoiled Hull KR’s party in their first game back in Betfred Super League.
The young winger missed most of the 2017 season with a serious knee injury but he quickly rediscovered the form that had put him in contention for an England place.
Strong performance from @WTrinityRL #SLHKRWak pic.twitter.com/9wsBgPOqtX
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 2, 2018
Wakefield came agonisingly close to securing a play-off place in Johnstone’s absence and they made a solid start to the new campaign with a comfortable 28-6 victory at KCOM Craven Park.
Rovers earned an immediate return to Super League through the Qualifiers but they never recovered from Matty Marsh’s early yellow card, with debutant Danny McGuire unable to inspire his new side.
Johnstone and Bill Tupou both crossed while Marsh was in the sin bin and Liam Finn strolled over just after his return to put Trinity in control.
Another Johnstone try made it 18-0 at half-time and he completed his treble after Chris Clarkson had got Rovers on the board, with Ryan Hampshire rounding off the scoring on a winning return to east Hull for coach Chris Chester.
