St Helens secured a joint‑first place finish in the Super League, sharing the summit with Leeds Rhinos after a hard‑fought 18-12 triumph over Wakefield Trinity on Saturday at their home ground. The Saints started the game in commanding fashion, imposing their rhythm from the opening whistle. Early in the first half, a potential try by Owen Dagnall was disallowed after a video review, but the team quickly recovered.
Within twelve minutes, Dagnall created a decisive opportunity for Jake Davies, who powered his way over the line to give St Helens the first points of the match. Just six minutes later, the Saints struck again.
Playmaker Jonny Lomax delivered a precise pass to Kyle Feldt, who sliced through the Wakefield defence and touched down, extending the lead. By halftime, the scoreboard read 16-0, a margin 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 first half was a showcase of St Helens' attacking fluency and defensive solidity, leaving Wakefield searching for answers. The second half, however, brought a shift in momentum.
Wakefield managed to get on the board in the 55th minute after a Saints knock‑on gave them a second‑chance opportunity, which Tyson Smoothy capitalised on with a well‑timed run to the try‑line. The visitors narrowed the gap, injecting a fresh sense of belief into their ranks.
In response, Jackson Hastings stepped up and slotted a penalty just before the hour mark, adding two points to the Saints’ tally and re‑establishing a comfortable cushion. The final blow came when Caius Faatili, after receiving a clean pass from Jake Trueman, crossed untouched for his own try, sealing the 18-12 result. The win not only kept St Helens level with Leeds but also demonstrated their resilience after a brief period of defensive lapses.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, St Helens head coach Paul Rowley admitted the performance was far from polished. He highlighted the confidence of the Wakefield side, noting that they had been targeting this particular fixture for some time and that their defensive pressure often left the Saints looking disjointed and chaotic.
Rowley confessed he was dissatisfied with the second‑half display, citing a few questionable forward passes that crept in as nerves began to affect the team’s execution. Wakefield’s coach Daryl Powell offered his perspective, acknowledging that the first half featured a couple of soft tries from the Saints but praising his own side’s increased aggression after the break.
He believed the game had been tightly contested and that Wakefield had shown they could compete closely with the league leaders. In other league news, Hull Kingston Rovers’ star winger Mikey Lewis recorded a remarkable four‑try haul as the defending champions reclaimed a spot in the Super League play‑off picture with a dominant 48-12 victory over Bradford at the sun‑bathed Odsal Stadium. Willie Peters’ side overcame a brief lapse in concentration early in the second half to reassert control, ultimately moving up to fifth place and overtaking rivals Wigan, who had previously held an eight‑point advantage. Lewis’s try‑scoring exploits were complemented by flawless goal‑kicking from Rhyse Martin, who successfully converted all eight of his team’s tries.
The Bulls, despite the loss, found some consolation in the efforts of Brandon Lewis and Greg Eden, who each crossed the line for Bradford. The Bulls, heavily depleted by injuries with eight starters unavailable, struggled to find cohesion and appeared vulnerable throughout the match, especially as Rovers piled on four tries in the opening fifteen minutes.
The broader Super League landscape continues to evolve, with Sky Sports confirming that every game this season will be broadcast live, including two exclusive live fixtures each round and the remaining five matches shown on the Sky Sports+ platform. Fans can also customize their sports notifications to stay updated on their favourite teams and matches.
Overall, St Helens’ victory over Wakefield not only cemented their position at the top of the table but also highlighted areas for improvement as they aim to maintain consistency throughout the campaign. Their ability to bounce back from second‑half nerves and secure a win will be crucial as the season progresses and the battle for the championship intensifies.