St Helens secured a share of the Super League summit with Leeds Rhinos by clinging to an 18-12 triumph over Wakefield Trinity on Saturday at their home ground. The Saints started the match in commanding fashion, dictating the tempo and creating several scoring opportunities.
Although a try by Owen Dagnall in the fifth minute was overturned after a video review, the team soon recovered and took the lead twelve minutes into the game when Dagnall assisted Jake Davies, who powered his way over the line. Six minutes later, another try followed when Jonny Lomax delivered a precise pass to Kyle Feldt, who finished the move to extend the lead. By halftime the scoreboard read 16-0, a gap built not only on the two tries but also on an opportunistic interception by Harry Robertson that set up Tristan Sailor for a third try before the break.
The second half saw Wakefield Trinity mount a fightback. Their first points arrived in the 55th minute after a Saints knock‑on gave them a second‑chance opportunity, which Tyson Smoothy converted.
The Saints responded swiftly; Jackson Hastings slotted a penalty just before the hour‑mark to restore a comfortable margin. The final blow came when Caius Faatili, after receiving a clean pass from Jake Trueman, crossed the line untouched, sealing the win for St Helens. Coach Paul Rowley, speaking to Sky Sports after the match, admitted the performance was far from polished.
He reminded viewers that Wakefield entered the game brimming with confidence, having targeted this fixture for weeks. "They are a side that tests you defensively, and at times our play looked disjointed and chaotic," Rowley said. He added that he was dissatisfied with the second‑half display, noting a few questionable forward passes that often arise when a team feels pressure.
Wakefield’s head coach Daryl Powell offered his perspective, acknowledging that the first half featured a couple of lackluster tries but praising his side’s increased aggression after the break. "We were very assertive in the second half and I think they’ll feel they were in a tough contest.
We were close," Powell commented. In other league news, Hull Kingston Rovers’ star Mikey Lewis recorded a remarkable four‑try haul as the defending champions surged back into the playoff race with a dominant 48-12 victory over Bradford at the sun‑bathed Odsal Stadium.
Willie Peters’ side overcame a brief lapse in the first half to outclass an injury‑hit Bradford team, climbing to fifth place and overtaking rivals Wigan, who had previously held an eight‑point advantage early in the season. Lewis’s try‑scoring spree was complemented by flawless goal‑kicking from Rhyse Martin, who successfully converted all eight of the Rovers’ tries. Bradford managed to register points through Brandon Lewis and Greg Eden, but the overall performance left them looking outmatched, especially after missing eight starters to injury.
The Bulls appeared to be on the brink of a prolonged losing streak until Rovers’ early onslaught of four tries within the opening 15 minutes shifted the momentum decisively. The Super League continues to broadcast every match live this season, with Sky Sports providing exclusive live coverage of two games each round and airing the remaining five fixtures across its channels. Fans can also stay updated through the latest league table, the Bench podcast hosted by Jenna and Jon, and customizable sports notifications tailored to their interests.
Overall, St Helens’ narrow win not only keeps them level at the top of the table but also demonstrates their resilience in the face of a determined Wakefield side. While the Saints must address the inconsistencies highlighted by Rowley, the victory reinforces their status as genuine title contenders as the season progresses.