St Helens secured a share of the Super League summit with Leeds Rhinos after edging out Wakefield Trinity 18-12 on Saturday at their home ground. The Saints started the match in dominant fashion, controlling the early exchanges and establishing a comfortable lead before the halftime break.
Although a potential try by Owen Dagnall in the fifth minute was disallowed after a video review, the team soon found the back of the net when Dagnall delivered a precise pass to Jake Davies, who powered over for the first points of the encounter. Just six minutes later, the momentum continued as Jonny Lomax set up Kyle Feldt for a well‑timed run, resulting in a second try for the home side.
By the time the whistle blew for the intermission, St Helens were enjoying a 16-0 advantage, the scoreline swelling further after a clever interception by Harry Robertson that allowed Tristan Sailor to dive over the line. The first half therefore ended with the Saints comfortably ahead, showcasing a blend of aggressive defense and incisive attacking play. The second half, however, proved more testing. Wakefield Trinity managed to get on the scoreboard in the 55th minute when a knock‑on from the Saints gifted them a second‑chance opportunity.
Tyson Smoothy seized the moment, crossing for a try that reduced the deficit and injected fresh belief into the visitors. In response, St Helens' half‑back Jackson Hastings calmly slotted a penalty kick just before the hour mark, extending the lead and re‑establishing a buffer for his side.
The final blow came when Caius Faatili, receiving a slick pass from Jake Trueman, sprinted over untouched for a concluding try, sealing an 18-12 victory for the Saints. Post‑match, head coach Paul Rowley offered his perspective to Sky Sports, acknowledging that the performance was far from polished. He highlighted the confidence displayed by Wakefield, noting that their defensive approach often left the Saints looking disjointed at times. Rowley admitted to feeling uneasy during the second half, pointing out a few questionable forward passes that, in his view, stemmed from nerves rather than tactical intent.
Wakefield’s coach Daryl Powell, on the other hand, reflected on his team’s effort, conceding that there were a couple of soft tries in the first half but praising the increased aggression after the break. He believed his side had made the game tough for the Saints and felt that the contest had been closely fought throughout.
Beyond the headline match, the weekend also featured a standout performance from Hull KR. Mikey Lewis crossed the line four times as the defending champions surged back into the playoff conversation with a commanding 48-12 triumph over Bradford at the sun‑bathed Odsal stadium.
Willie Peters' side overcame a brief lapse early in the first half, then dominated an injury‑hit Bradford side to climb to fifth place, overtaking rivals Wigan who had previously held a narrow eight‑point lead in the early stages of the campaign. Lewis’s try‑scoring spree was complemented by flawless goal‑kicking from Rhyse Martin, who successfully converted all eight of Hull KR’s tries. Bradford managed to find the scoreboard through Brandon Lewis and Greg Eden, but the gap was too wide to bridge. The Bulls, missing eight starters to injury, appeared vulnerable throughout the match, especially as the Rovers piled on four tries within the first 15 minutes, setting the tone for a one‑sided affair.
The Super League continues to broadcast every fixture live this season, with Sky Sports committing to two exclusive live matches each round and the remaining five games shown on the Sky Sports+ platform. Fans can also stay updated through the latest league table, the Bench podcast hosted by Jenna and Jon, and personalized sports notifications tailored to their interests.
Overall, St Helens’ victory not only keeps them level at the top of the table but also demonstrates their resilience in navigating periods of defensive uncertainty. The win, combined with Hull KR’s resurgence, hints at a tightly contested race for the playoff spots as the season progresses, promising further excitement for supporters across the league.