Chris Chester slams 'dumb' Wakefield after Catalans loss
Friday 9 September 2016 23:42, UK
Wakefield head coach Chris Chester labelled his Wildcats the "dumbest team in the competition" after watching them slump to yet another Super League Super 8s defeat.
Despite trailing at half-time against Catalans, Wakefield were within two points of levelling the game as the closing stages approached.
The Wildcats were in all but total control but proved incapable of making the most of countless opportunities to steal victory at Belle Vue where the Dragons were 14-10 winners.
Jason Baitieri and Julian Bousquet tries put the visitors clear before Max Jowitt and Craig Hall pulled scores back, but Tony Gigot's three successful kicks to Liam Finn's one proved decisive.
"It was really frustrating, I have never been involved in a game where the possession is so lop-sided," said a frustrated Chester. "We had 75 per cent of it.
"If you wrote a book on the dumbest team in the competition, you would probably write a book on our performance tonight.
"We just weren't smart. We dropped the ball over the line a couple of times, we threw the ball into touch a couple of times and we had tries disallowed.
I just want us to finish the season on a high and get these guys playing like they were 10 weeks ago.
"You can credit Catalans' defensive efforts but what we did with the ball was woeful at times.
"Catalans were the smarter team. We must have had 10 to 12 opportunities but we couldn't get over the try-line.
"We just need to get some pride back in the jersey. We don't want to be known as the team who got in the top eight because Salford had points deducted.
"I just want us to finish the season on a high and get these guys playing like they were 10 weeks ago."
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Catalans counterpart Laurent Frayssinous was proud of his injury-hit side's efforts.
The Dragons worked tirelessly to keep the home side at bay during a tense final quarter in Wakefield, despite missing more than half-a-dozen key players.
"I was very impressed with the attitude of the boys," he said.
"We defended our own line very well and we are pleased to have taken the points, because Wakefield never gave up.
"There were several players missing, so we had some younger guys out there, so our depth is looking good.
"It is a pleasing victory, even though we cannot make the top four, we played with plenty of pride."
