St Helens secured a shared position at the top of the Super League table with Leeds Rhinos after edging out Wakefield Trinity 18-12 on their home turf on Saturday. The Saints started the match strongly, dictating the early tempo and creating several scoring opportunities. Although a try by Owen Dagnall in the fifth minute was overturned after a video review, the team continued to press forward and, twelve minutes into the game, Dagnall assisted Jake Davies in breaking through the defense to score the first points.
Just six minutes later, St Helens struck again when Jonny Lomax delivered a precise pass to Kyle Feldt, who sprinted over for the second try. The momentum was further bolstered at the break when an interception by Harry Robertson set up Tristan Sailor, who grounded the ball for a third try, leaving the halftime score at an imposing 16-0 in favour of the Saints. The second half saw Wakefield Trinity rally.
In the 55th minute, a handling error from the Saints gave Wakefield a second chance, which Tyson Smoothy seized to get them on the scoreboard. The Saints responded quickly; Jackson Hastings slotted a penalty just before the 60‑minute mark, extending their lead and providing a crucial cushion. Later, a well‑timed pass from Jake Trueman found Caius Faatili, who crossed the line untouched for another try, pushing the final tally to 18-12. Despite the relatively narrow margin, the win was enough to keep St Helens level with Leeds at the summit of the competition.
After the match, St Helens head coach Paul Rowley spoke to Sky Sports, acknowledging that the performance was far from flawless. He noted that Wakefield entered the game brimming with confidence and that their defensive pressure sometimes forced the Saints into a disjointed, chaotic style of play. Rowley admitted he was not entirely satisfied with the second‑half display, mentioning a few questionable forward passes that crept in as nerves set in. "It wasn't polished today by any means but we must remember we're playing a Wakefield team high on confidence.
They targeted this game for a while and they're a team that challenge you defensively so sometimes it looks disconnected or chaotic," Rowley said. "I didn't enjoy any of that second half, to be honest.
I was calling for a few things. I thought there were a few dodgy forward passes in there but that's what you do when you get a bit nervous." Wakefield coach Daryl Powell offered his perspective, highlighting the resilience of his side. He admitted that the first half featured a couple of soft tries but praised his players for the aggression they displayed after the break.
Powell believed the match would be remembered as a hard‑fought contest and that his team had kept the pressure on St Helens throughout the second half. "There were a couple of soft tries in the first half but in the second half I thought we were really aggressive and I think they'll feel like they've been in a pretty tough game and we were pretty close," Powell commented. In other league news, defending champions Hull Kingston Rovers (Hull KR) surged back into the playoff race with a dominant 48-12 victory over Bradford at the sun‑drenched Odsal Stadium. Mickey Lewis crossed the line four times, showcasing his finishing prowess and helping the Rovers climb to fifth place, overtaking rivals Wigan who had been struggling with injuries and a slow start to the season.
Riley Martin provided a flawless kicking display, converting all eight of Hull KR's tries, while Bradford managed to add points through Brandon Lewis and Greg Eden. Despite missing eight starters due to injury, the Bulls attempted to stay competitive but were overwhelmed early, conceding four tries within the opening 15 minutes.
The Super League continues to broadcast every match live this season, with Sky Sports offering two exclusive live games each round and the remaining five matches shown on Sky Sports+. Fans can also stay updated through the latest league table, the Bench podcast with Jenna and Jon, and customizable sports notifications. Overall, St Helens' win, though not without its imperfections, kept them firmly in contention for the title, while Hull KR's emphatic performance signaled a resurgence that could reshape the playoff picture as the season progresses.