St Helens secured a shared lead at the top of the Super League table with Leeds Rhinos following an 18-12 victory over Wakefield Trinity on Saturday at their home ground. The Saints started the match in commanding fashion, establishing a comfortable lead before the half‑time whistle, and although Wakefield rallied in the second period, the early dominance proved decisive. In the opening minutes the home side looked the more threatening team. A potential try by Owen Dagnall in the fifth minute was disallowed after a video review, but the Saints quickly recovered.
Just twelve minutes into the game Dagnall provided a well‑timed pass to Jake Davies, who powered his way over the line to give St Helens the first points of the encounter. Six minutes later Jonny Lomax found Kyle Feldt with a precise cut‑out pass, and Feldt touched down to extend the lead. By the end of the first half the scoreboard read 16‑0, the margin built after a crucial interception by Harry Robertson that set up Tristan Sailor for a try.
The second half saw Wakefield Trinity find some life. In the 55th minute a handling error by the Saints offered the visitors a second‑chance opportunity, which Tyson Smoothy capitalised on to get the Wildcats on the board.
The Saints responded swiftly; Jackson Hastings slotted a penalty just before the hour mark, adding a crucial two points to the tally. The final blow came when Caius Faatili broke through the Wakefield defence after a slick pass from Jake Trueman, scoring an uncontested try that cemented the 18‑12 final score. St Helens head coach Paul Rowley offered his thoughts to Sky Sports after the match.
He admitted the performance was far from flawless, noting that Wakefield entered the game with a high degree of confidence and had prepared specifically for this fixture. "They are a side that will test you defensively, and at times our play looked a little disconnected and chaotic," Rowley said.
He added that the second half was particularly unsatisfying for him, citing a few questionable forward passes that, in his view, stemmed from nervousness as the game progressed. Wakefield’s coach Daryl Powell also reflected on the encounter. He acknowledged that the first half featured a couple of soft tries from the Saints but praised his own players for the increased aggression they displayed after the break.
"In the second half we were much more assertive, and I think the Saints will feel they have been through a very tough game. We were very close," Powell remarked.
The win not only lifted St Helens back to the summit of the league but also kept the pressure on Leeds Rhinos, who remain level on points. Both clubs will now look to maintain their momentum as the season progresses, knowing that any slip could see the other surge ahead. In other Super League news, defending champions Hull Kingston Rovers (Hull KR) produced an emphatic 48‑12 victory over Bradford Bulls at the sun‑bathed Odsal Stadium, propelling them back into the playoff positions for the first time this season.
Mikey Lewis was the standout performer, crossing the try line four times and demonstrating why he is considered one of the competition’s most lethal finishers. His efforts were complemented by flawless goal‑kicking from Rhyse Martin, who converted all eight of Hull KR’s tries, ensuring a comprehensive win.
The Bulls, plagued by injuries that left eight starters unavailable, struggled to find any foothold in the game. After a brief resurgence late in the first half, they were unable to stem the tide of Hull KR’s relentless attack. Hull KR’s early onslaught saw them score four tries within the opening 15 minutes, effectively putting the match beyond the Bulls’ reach.
The result moved Hull KR up to fifth place in the league, overtaking rivals Wigan who have been hampered by their own injury list and a sluggish start to the campaign. The victory also highlighted the depth of Hull KR’s squad, with several fringe players stepping up to deliver solid performances when called upon. Sky Sports confirmed that it will continue to broadcast every Super League match live throughout the season.
Each round will feature two matches shown exclusively live, while the remaining five fixtures will be available on the Sky Sports+ platform, ensuring fans have ample opportunity to follow their favourite teams. Overall, Saturday’s fixtures underscored the competitive nature of this year’s Super League.
St Helens demonstrated resilience after a shaky second half, while Hull KR’s dominant display against Bradford signalled their intent to challenge for the top spots. As the league table tightens, every match will become increasingly pivotal in the race for playoff positions and, ultimately, the championship title.