St Helens delivered a spectacular second‑half display that left Wakefield Trinity reeling, as the Saints ran away with a 46‑16 victory and kept their dwindling Super League playoff ambitions alive. The win was especially significant for a club that has never missed the post‑season, but entered the match on a worrying run of three consecutive defeats and five losses in six games, leaving them six points adrift of the top six positions.
The game began poorly for St Helens. Wakefield, sitting fourth on the ladder, surged ahead early, scoring an early try in the eighth minute through Tyson Smoothy, which Jack Sinfield promptly converted.
A second try followed twelve minutes in when Isaiah Vagana crossed the line, again with Sinfield adding the conversion, giving the home side a 10‑0 lead. The Saints struggled to find rhythm and trailed 16‑12 at the interval, having managed only two points from a penalty goal. The second half, however, told a completely different story. St Helens emerged with renewed vigor, launching a relentless attacking onslaught that produced six unanswered tries.
Tristan Sailor was the catalyst, scoring a brace that completed his hat‑trick, while Lewis Murphy added a second‑half try after his first‑half effort. Jake Davies also made his mark, touching down twice in the closing stages.
These scores propelled the Saints to within four points of sixth‑placed Leigh Leopards with just four matches left in the season. Wakefield’s night was further marred by injuries.
Early in the first half, Josh Rourke was forced off after a collision with Murphy, and Isaiah Vagana suffered a shoulder injury after being barged into, leaving the field with a physio supporting his arm. Their absence was keenly felt as the Saints began to dominate possession and territory. The turning point came when Sailor and Murphy each broke through the Trinity defence, with Jackson Hastings converting both. Sinfield then exploited a defensive lapse, kicking his second conversion to give Wakefield a four‑point lead at halftime.
However, the Saints responded emphatically after the break. Lachlan Walmsley had two potential tries disallowed, but the Saints kept the pressure on. Murphy’s second‑half try, a diving finish in the corner, was followed by a brief injury scare as he limped off with a left‑leg issue, yet he returned to help his side. Billy Keeley’s try at the 64‑minute mark, after latching onto a loose ball, gave St Helens a comfortable lead.
Sailor completed his hat‑trick with a powerful run that left the Wakefield crowd visibly disheartened. The final whistle confirmed a 46‑16 win, a result that not only revived the Saints’ playoff hopes but also highlighted Wakefield’s vulnerability after a string of defeats.
Trinity coach Daryl Powell was outspoken in his post‑match interview, labeling his team’s performance "unforgivable" and criticizing the lack of effort in the latter stages. He noted, "We took a smack on the nose last week and we haven’t recovered from that this week.
They were desperate and they outplayed us. I don’t think our fight was good enough.
It’s hugely disappointing and I’ve said to the players ‘we’ve got to flip this pretty quick’. We play Wigan next week and it doesn’t get any harder than that." Meanwhile, across the league, Wigan continued their charge toward the top of the table, drawing level on points with leaders Leeds after a dominant 34‑6 win over Bradford. The Bulls scored six tries, with Jake Wardle, Adam Keighran, Bevan French, Kian McDermott and Jake Kerr all crossing the line, while Andy Ackers provided Bradford’s lone score.
Wigan’s 18th victory of the season placed them four points clear of both Warrington and Wakefield, consolidating their position in third and fourth place respectively. Bradford, meanwhile, remain near the bottom after a heavy defeat, while Huddersfield’s resurgence, highlighted by wins over York, Hull FC and Catalans, has seen them overtake the Bradford side on points difference following a 26‑10 victory in France.
Toulouse, on the other hand, continue to struggle, now on a four‑match losing streak after recent setbacks against Catalans, Leeds and Wigan. The Giants (Wigan) have found form, winning four straight games after a sluggish start that saw only two wins in their first 19 matches. Their recent success was driven by two tries from Sam Halsall and contributions from Joe Greenwood and Conor Wrench. Huddersfield’s revival has coincided with Toulouse’s decline, underscoring the shifting dynamics within the Super League.
Looking ahead, St Helens must maintain their momentum in the remaining fixtures to close the gap on the playoff places. With only four games left, every point will be crucial as they aim to re‑establish themselves among the top six. The Saints will also need to manage injuries and ensure squad depth, especially after the physical toll of the Wakefield encounter. For fans, Sky Sports continues to broadcast every Super League game live this season, offering two exclusive live matches each round on the main channel, with the remaining five fixtures available on Sky Sports+.
This comprehensive coverage ensures that supporters can follow the drama and excitement of the league as the race for the playoffs intensifies. In summary, St Helens’ dramatic comeback against Wakefield Trinity not only provided a morale‑boosting win but also kept their slim playoff hopes alive. The Saints’ second‑half resurgence, highlighted by Sailor’s hat‑trick and multiple try‑scorers, contrasted sharply with Wakefield’s injury‑hit performance and defensive lapses.
As the season approaches its climax, the Saints will look to build on this momentum, while Wakefield must regroup quickly to avoid slipping further down the table.