Warrington continued their impressive run in the Betfred Super League, notching a fifth straight triumph with a 34‑24 win over the Huddersfield Giants at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The match began with Huddersfield taking an early lead when Sam Halsall collected a loose ball and dashed over the line, only for George Flanagan to miss the conversion.
Warrington answered swiftly; Danny Walker crossed for a try, and Leon Hayes added the extra points, pushing the home side ahead. The momentum soon shifted firmly in Warrington’s favour.
In the 28th minute, James Bentley capitalised on a rapid off‑load from James Harrison, breaking the line and grounding the ball. Just two minutes later Sam Powell followed suit, with Hayes again successful with the conversion, extending the lead. Warrington’s dominance grew as George Williams finished a sweeping move down the left flank, and by the interval the hosts were comfortably ahead 22‑4. The second half saw Huddersfield attempt a comeback.
Halsall, determined to make an impact, scored his second try after catching Adam Clune’s kick and diving over, with Flanagan finally converting. Warrington, however, kept the pressure on; Arron Lindop added a try for the Wire and Hayes slotted a penalty, widening the gap further. Huddersfield fought back, with Sam Hewitt crossing for a try that was converted, and Connor Wrench later touching down in the corner, narrowing the deficit.
In the closing stages, Warrington sealed the victory. Matty Ashton grounded the ball in the final ten minutes, and Hayes added the conversion, cementing the 34‑24 result. The Giants refused to give up, and Jacob Gagai managed to cross for Huddersfield’s fifth try of the afternoon, but it was too little, too late.
Meanwhile, Leeds reclaimed the top spot in the Super League after a commanding 66‑16 demolition of the York Knights at the LNER Community Stadium. The Rhinos were relentless, with Riley Lumb scoring a hat‑trick of tries and Chris Hankinson contributing two scores of his own, complemented by four successful conversions. Leeds’ attacking line featured a host of try‑scorers: Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki, Lachie Miller, Matt Lodge, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft and Ash Handley all found the try‑line, while Jake Connor added another quartet of conversions and Miller himself kicked one.
York’s consolation points came from Sam Wood, Jon Bennison—who also converted two of Leeds’ tries—and David Nofoaluma, ensuring the Knights were not completely shut out. Lumb’s opening try in the seventh minute required a video review after he touched down in the corner, but the decision was ultimately upheld.
He then demonstrated his athleticism by acrobatically scoring his second try just five minutes later. Leeds built an unassailable lead, entering halftime up 36‑0. Hankinson’s first try, set up by Lumb, came three minutes after the interval, followed quickly by Watkins adding his own score.
Oledzki then powered through for a close‑range effort, and Miller completed a beautiful move that began with a precise pass from Cameron Smith. After the break, Matt Lodge celebrated his debut try only two minutes in, while York finally got on the board through Wood. Leeds responded immediately, with Hall diving over before Lumb completed his hat‑trick. Four minutes after the hour mark Lumb crossed for a fourth time, and Leeds continued to pile on the points, rendering the late‑stage tries from Bennison and Nofoaluma almost meaningless.
Both matches highlighted the depth of talent and the tactical nous present in the Super League as the play‑offs loom. Warrington’s ability to recover from an early setback and maintain pressure through disciplined defense and opportunistic attacking play bodes well for their upcoming fixtures. Leeds, on the other hand, showcased a relentless offensive machine, with multiple players capable of breaking the line and converting chances into points. The victories also underscore the importance of composure under pressure.
Warrington’s Leon Hayes proved reliable with his goal‑kicking, while Leeds’ Jake Connor provided a steady hand with his conversions, ensuring that every try was maximised on the scoreboard. The performances will likely have a significant impact on the league standings, with Leeds reclaiming the summit and Warrington solidifying their position among the top contenders.
Fans can continue to follow the action via the Super League streaming service, purchase tickets for upcoming games, and stay updated with the latest tables and analysis through the Bench podcast hosted by Jenna and Jon. The excitement builds as teams prepare for the decisive play‑off matches that will determine the ultimate champion of the season.