Wakefield Trinity ran out comfortable 32-8 winners over local rivals Castleford Tigers on Friday night, with now-retired half-back Luke Gale, who got a great ovation after a stellar playing career, coming on to add a late goal in his testimonial match. Much the faster and crisper side, Wakefield were good value for the win, with Castleford not at the races in what was a satisfactory pre-season clash in West Yorkshire.

Quicker out of the blocks, Wakefield soon opened the scoring through Lachlan Walmsley, with Cam Scott then finishing strong to add a second try. Castleford then hit back through Innes Senior, with Wakefield adding two more tries late in the half through Josh Rouke and Seth Nikotemo.

That gave Wakefield a 20-4 half-time lead, with Castleford hitting back in the second half, dubiously so through Josh Simm. However, the home side clicked into gear again, with Ky Rodwell storming over after Liam Hood's break. Then they added the gloss through Caleb Uele, with both sides continuing their preparations before the big Super League kick-off next month.

READ MORE: Danny McGuire airs honest Castleford Tigers verdict after 'disappointing' defeat

READ MORE: Daryl Powell shares Wakefield Trinity validation as side fix Boxing Day worries

Wakefield impress

It's pre-season, it's January, and in the grand scheme of things, it counts for little, but if you're judging Wakefield Trinity on Friday's showing, in particular the first half, then it's fair to say it was encouraging.

Guided by Daryl Powell, we shouldn't expect anything different, but after a sluggish show at Leeds Rhinos on Boxing Day, it was Wakefield who were the side easy on the eye, who looked crisp with their shape, and who executed to score some slick-looking tries. Again, insert your clichés, and while there's a heck of a long way to go this year, Trinity, at least on this evidence, look like an outfit that will entertain this year.

Anyone who watched them in the Championship last year won't be surprised, and while Super League is a different kettle of fish, the early signs here were promising. New faces they may be, but they all slotted in like a team gelled together at a club that is, and certainly in the eyes of IMG, on the up.

They started quicker and orchestrated the same vibrant brand of rugby seen last year. It was smooth, and when it clicked, it was good to watch. Early on, it was all about right edge duo Cam Scott and Lachlan Walmsley, but the left soon had their say, with Josh Rourke in on the act.

Linked by Mason Lino, Jake Trueman, Jay Pitts, and Max Jowitt, Wakefield, who even saw Liam Hood shake off an ankle scare to re-enter the field, played with shape. They were expansive; they were strong through the middle, and they backed themselves. For a third time, pre-season it may be, but if we're going by the cover, then it certainly left you wanting more.

Castleford a work in progress

Given Wakefield's fast start, the Tigers, who let's not forget are a new side learning new plays and shapes under a new head coach in Danny McGuire, took a while to settle, and in truth, only some last-ditch scramble defence prevented an ugly scoreline from presenting itself in the first-half. They had their moments, including a slick finish from Innes Senior, but they weren't enough.

In truth, this was as you'd expect a pre-season performance to be. They weren't really at the races, changing their side, which saw new faces Daejarn Asi, Zack Cini, Judah Rimbu, etc., all get some welcome minutes, significantly in the second half.

Their only other score came dubiously so through Josh Simm, who looked to have grounded the ball in touch. But again, in the grand scheme of things, it all counts for little. This was Wakefield's night, but for Castleford, who have their own testimonial man to celebrate next week in Joe Westerman and who will hope to get better as the year goes on, there's certainly bigger fish to fry.

Clic k here - Get the latest news on our Rugby League Live WhatsApp channel