Wakefield Trinity made history on a memorable evening at Old Trafford, clinching their first Super League championship with a decisive 23-10 victory over the Warrington Wolves in the Grand Final. The triumph marked a fairy‑tale conclusion to a remarkable comeback story: after being relegated in 2023, the club earned promotion for the 2025 season and, in their inaugural attempt at the final, lifted the coveted trophy.
The win also placed Wakefield among an elite group of six clubs to have ever claimed the Super League crown, joining the likes of Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls and Hull KR. The atmosphere at the sold‑out Old Trafford was electric, with fans witnessing a flawless first half from the Yorkshire side that set the tone for the entire match.
Wakefield surged ahead early, establishing a 19‑0 lead at the break. The opening score came after a dazzling no‑look, one‑handed flick from Lachlan Walmsley that found Cameron Scott in the corner, and Max Jowitt calmly added the conversion. The momentum continued when Jake Trueman’s pressure kick forced a high ball, allowing Tom Johnstone to leap highest, collect the ball on his shoulder and dive over for a try, with Jowitt again perfect with the boot. Tyson Smoothy’s near miss was quickly followed by Jazz Tevaga’s powerful dummy and subsequent grounding, extending the lead further.
With just under two minutes left in the half, Jack Sinfield demonstrated composure under pressure by slotting a drop goal, pushing the score to 19‑0 and leaving Warrington with a mountain to climb. The second half began with drama when Wakefield’s Corey Hall was sin‑binned for a high tackle on Arron Lindop, giving the Wolves a brief numerical advantage. Seizing the opportunity, Lindop crossed the line and Ewan Irwin converted, reducing the deficit to 19‑6.
A subsequent try by Warrington’s Matty Ashton was disallowed after a forward pass review, preserving Wakefield’s dominance. Wakefield quickly restored their command when Caleb Hamlin‑Uele broke through the defensive line, delivering the ball to Johnstone, who used his footwork to finish with a spectacular try.
The score swelled to 23‑6 with roughly 20 minutes remaining, and the Trinity side appeared in full control. Warrington fought back late, with Lindop scoring his second try after a looping pass from Irwin, but the conversion was missed, leaving the final tally at 23‑10. The victory was not just a result of individual brilliance but also a testament to the collective belief fostered by head coach Daryl Powell. In his post‑match interview, Powell reflected on the journey: “It’s unbelievable, the story of where we’ve come from and how we were able to stand toe‑to‑toe with the best teams in the competition.
We had a rocky period with the sin‑bin, but the group was superb today. This is a massive performance from an extraordinary group of lads.” He added that the team’s confidence had been built over weeks of hard work, noting the significance of their recent win at Wigan as a further proof of their potential. Captain Max Jowitt, who contributed three conversions and a penalty, expressed the emotional weight of the achievement: “A million per cent the highs are worth the lows. It didn’t feel real that we were playing a Grand Final until we got here today.
It’s been a rollercoaster year for me personally, dropping to the reserves and then getting my chance at the end of the season. To finish my Wakefield career with this will stay with me forever.” Winger Tom Johnstone, the recipient of the Rob Burrow Award for his outstanding two‑way play, could barely contain his emotions.
“I can’t believe it. I keep crying, I can’t help myself!
This club means everything to me. My dream for the last ten years has been to win a Grand Final with Wakefield.
Daryl Powell sold me the dream that we were a club with aspirations and a hunger to win. I believed every word, and now we’re here,” he said. Warrington head coach Sam Burgess, while disappointed, praised his side’s resilience: “We physically lost the first half.
The stats were similar in possession and completion, but they beat us physically. They’ve had a red‑hot finish to the season. I’m proud of my group; it could have gotten messy, but we stuck together.
It hurts, but I have no regrets. It was Wakefield’s day.
The challenge now is to take the next step, and that will take a few weeks.” The match also highlighted Wakefield’s tactical superiority. Their forwards consistently generated metres, putting pressure on Warrington’s defence and creating space for the backs.
The combination of Walmsley’s creative passing, Scott’s finishing, and Jowitt’s reliable kicking formed a balanced attack, while the defensive line, anchored by players like Isaiah Vagana and Jazz Tevaga, kept the Wolves at bay. In summary, Wakefield Trinity’s 2025 Grand Final victory will be remembered as one of the most inspiring chapters in Super League history.
From relegation to champions in just two seasons, the club demonstrated that determination, strategic coaching, and a united squad can overturn even the most daunting odds. Their name now joins the roll of honour alongside the sport’s traditional powerhouses, and the celebrations at Old Trafford will echo in Trinity’s halls for years to come.