Warrington continued their impressive run in the Betfred Super League, notching a fifth straight win by defeating Huddersfield Giants 34‑24 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The match began with Huddersfield taking an early advantage when Sam Halsall collected a loose ball and grounded it for a try, although George Flanagan missed the subsequent conversion. Warrington answered quickly; Danny Walker crossed the line, and Leon Hayes added the extra points, putting the home side ahead. The momentum soon shifted decisively in Warrington's favour.
In the 28th minute, James Bentley capitalised on a swift off‑load from James Harrison, darting over for a try. Just two minutes later Sam Powell followed suit, with Hayes again successful with the conversion attempts.
By the end of the first half, the Wire had built a commanding 22‑4 lead, thanks in part to a slick finish by George Williams down the left wing, which cemented their dominance before the halftime whistle. The second half saw Huddersfield attempt a resurgence. Halsall, determined to make an impact, scored his second try of the afternoon by catching Adam Clune’s kick and diving over the line; Flanagan converted, narrowing the deficit. Warrington, however, responded through Arron Lindop, and Hayes added a penalty goal to stretch the lead further.
Huddersfield kept the pressure on, with Sam Hewitt crossing for a try that was successfully converted, and Connor Wrench adding a corner‑touchdown that trimmed the margin. In the closing stages, Warrington sealed the win.
Matty Ashton grounded a late try, and Hayes added the conversion, extending the scoreline to 34‑24. Huddersfield fought until the final whistle, with Jacob Gagai crossing for the Giants' fifth try of the match, but the result was already decided. Across the league, Leeds Rhinos reclaimed the top spot after a dominant 66‑16 demolition of York Knights at the LNER Community Stadium. The Rhinos were relentless from the outset.
Riley Lumb exploded onto the scene, scoring a spectacular try in the seventh minute that was initially reviewed but ultimately upheld. He followed that with a second try just five minutes later, showcasing his agility and speed.
Chris Hankinson contributed a brace of tries and successfully kicked four conversions, while a host of other Leeds players added to the tally. Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki, Lachie Miller, Matt Lodge, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft and Ash Handley each crossed the line, highlighting the depth of Leeds' attacking options.
Jake Connor supplied an additional four conversions, and Miller added another, ensuring the scoreboard kept climbing. York Knights managed to avoid a shut‑out thanks to the efforts of Sam Wood, Jon Bennison—who also converted two of his own tries—and David Nofoaluma, but their points were little more than a footnote in a game that belonged to Leeds. By halftime, the Rhinos had built an imposing 36‑0 lead, the result of Hankinson's early try set up by Lumb, followed by a rapid succession of scores: Watkins added his own try, Oledzki powered over from close range, and Miller finished a brilliant pass from Cameron Smith.
The second half continued in the same vein. Matt Lodge celebrated his debut with a try just two minutes after the restart, while York finally got on the board through Wood. Leeds answered immediately, with Hall sprinting over and Lumb completing his hat‑trick.
Lumb's fourth try came four minutes into the final period, and Leeds kept the pressure on, adding two more York tries via Bennison and Nofoaluma that made little dent in the final margin. Both matches underscored the form of the eventual play‑off contenders.
Warrington's ability to recover from early setbacks and maintain pressure through disciplined defence and efficient goal‑kicking highlighted why they remain a threat in the latter stages of the competition. Their blend of experienced forwards like James Bentley and emerging talent such as Matty Ashton provides a balanced squad capable of adapting to different match scenarios. Leeds, meanwhile, demonstrated why they sit atop the league table. Their attacking repertoire is varied, with speed on the wings, power in the middle, and a reliable kicking game.
The sheer number of try‑scorers in a single match points to a team that can spread the ball effectively, making it difficult for opponents to anticipate the point of attack. The Rhinos' defensive structure also held firm, limiting York to a modest total despite the Knights' efforts to exploit any gaps. As the Super League season edges toward the play‑offs, both Warrington and Leeds will look to build on these performances.
Warrington will aim to tighten the few lapses that allowed Huddersfield back into the game, while Leeds will seek to maintain their high‑scoring momentum and ensure their defensive line remains as impenetrable as it has been this season. Fans can anticipate further thrilling contests as the race for the ultimate prize intensifies.