Wakefield 34 Catalans Dragons 14: Rooney leads way in battling Wildcats' fight for survival

Wakefield drew level on points with Wigan in the battle to avoid relegation with a second invaluable victory in two matches under the coaching of John Kear.

Jamie Rooney led the way with three tries and seven goals to equal his own Wakefield record of 26 points in a Super League match.

"Jamie was superb tonight," Kear said. "He's developing into a very intelligent, mature rugby league player. His game is just blossoming."

The Catalans did not help themselves last night by conceding a string of early penalties for holding on in the tackle, and having two players sent to the sin bin in the process.

It was inevitably going to cost them and it began to do so when Jason Demetriou scored from a typically well timed pass from David Solomona after eight minutes. Right after the Dragon's had had a second player sent to the sin bin, Wakefield struck again, moving the ball neatly for Ryan Atkins to go over. Wakefield then capitalised on Adel Fellous' fumble when Rooney picked up Duncan MacGillivray's pass to weave his way through for his first.

A couple of penalties conceded by the ill-disciplined French gave Rooney his third and fourth goals. They were developing some of the same faults as their opponents, however, and Darrell Griffin was sent to the sin bin before half-time for a holding down offence that gave Stacey Jones the Catalans' first points.

They took further advantage after the break with a try from Mark Hughes. Rooney landed a penalty and was then there to finish an incisive attack by Sam Obst and Jeffries to ensure there would be no nasty surprises in the final quarter.

The tireless Jones got one back for the Dragons, but fittingly it was Rooney who had the last word, following his own kick for his hat-trick try and a seventh goal.

Kear said that his players had not been aware of other results during the day, but the combination now puts them within range of other teams as well as Wigan.

"We have clung on to their coat tails," Kear added. "It was a gritty, battling performance."

Wakefield: Halpenny; Demetriou, Evans, Atkins, Tadulala; Rooney, Jeffries; Korkidas, March, Watene, MacGillivray, Solomoma, Henderson. Substitutes used: Saxton, Elima, Obst, Griffin.

Catalans: Guigue; Murphy, Wilson, Hughes, Verges; Sadaoui, Jones; Beattie, Teixido, Chan, Hindmarsh, Guisset, Mounis. Substitutes used: Fakir, Fellous, Berthezene, Griffi.

Referee: S Ganson (St Helens).

* Huddersfield's captain, Chris Thorman, is a doubt for the Challenge Cup final after injuring his hamstring in the 26-12 defeat by Hull.