Super League leaders St Helens got back on track on Thursday with a 36-16 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the Super 8s.
Saints have been dominant for much of 2018 and appear certainties to lift the League Leaders' Shield, but headed into Thursday's match having suffered successive defeats - last week's loss to Huddersfield Giants following a Challenge Cup semi-final reverse against Catalans Dragons.
Justin Holbrook's side initially seized control at Wakefield with three tries in the space of seven minutes in the first half, Tommy Makinson going over twice either side of a score from Jonny Lomax.
However, Trinity - one of only two teams to beat St Helens in the regular season - came roaring back from 16-0 down and reduced their deficit to four points through tries from Kyle Wood and the giant Pauli Pauli, who left three Saints defenders on their back to cross when Wakefield were down to 12 men with Craig Huby in the sin bin.
Theo Fages and Bill Tupou traded scores after Pauli's try, but it was Saints who finished stronger, Luke Douglas touching down from a Danny Richardson grubber before Regan Grace surged over to make the points safe.
Richardson added a penalty goal after the full-time hooter and Saints now hold a 10-point lead over nearest rivals Wigan Warriors, who they face in their next league match.
