Warrington cemented their place in the Super League play‑offs with a hard‑earned 16‑14 victory over Hull FC at the MKM Stadium, guaranteeing a home tie in the postseason. The win came after a tense finish in which Hull mounted a late surge, but the hosts held firm to preserve the crucial points. Sam Burgess’s side appeared to be cruising toward a sixth consecutive win after a first‑half onslaught that saw Leon Hayes and Matty Ashton each cross the line, giving Warrington a comfortable lead heading into the break.
The early exchanges were tightly contested, with both teams exchanging penalty goals – Warrington captain George Williams converting for the home side and Hull’s Aidan Sezer replying for the visitors. However, a moment of indecision under two high balls allowed Warrington to pull ahead by ten points, a margin that seemed safe at the time. Ten minutes into the second half, Josh Thewlis added a third try for Warrington, extending the lead and prompting many to think the game was already decided. Yet the Black and Whites, playing their final home game of the campaign, found a second wind.
Hull responded swiftly, with Ethan O'Neill and veteran Tom Briscoe each scoring quick, converted tries. Briscoe, who is set to retire after a distinguished 17‑year career, delivered a memorable performance that reignited the match and forced Warrington to dig deep to retain their top‑four status. The victory was not without cost.
Aaron Lindop was ruled out after failing a head‑injury assessment, while Burgess saw both Luke Thomas and Joe Philbin leave the field with suspected leg injuries. Burgess reflected on the performance, telling Sky Sports, “We controlled large parts of the game, but I was disappointed they managed to score two tries at the end.
I’m proud of the lads – they’re a joy to coach. We’re getting tougher, which is vital for our journey, and we need to manage these periods and keep moving forward.” Hull FC head coach Andy Last praised his side’s resilience and highlighted Briscoe’s emotional connection with the crowd. “I’m disappointed with the result but proud of the performance,” Last said. “We were up against a quality team in good form and we fought toe‑to‑toe for the full 80 minutes.
Tom’s try was a remarkable moment for him and the fans.” In parallel action, Wakefield Trinity secured their own post‑season berth with a convincing 28‑12 win over a struggling York side. Daryl Powell’s men entered the second half trailing but surged ahead thanks to tries from Jayden Myers, Max Jowitt and Lachlan Walmsley.
Corey Hall’s early conversion gave Wakefield the opening lead, and after former Trinity player Ben Jones‑Bishop reduced the deficit, Walmsley’s first try gave the visitors a six‑point advantage at the break. York fought back in the second half, with Xavier Va’a’s brilliant run and Jon Bennison’s conversion briefly leveling the scores. However, Myers capitalised on a short pass from Mike McMeeken to restore Wakefield’s lead, and an intercepted ball allowed Jowitt to extend the margin.
Walmsley capped the win with a late try, sealing the contest. The triumph ended a three‑game losing streak for Wakefield and moved them two points clear in fourth place, six points ahead of seventh‑placed St Helens. Their hopes of earning a home play‑off match now hinge on the outcome of next week’s clash with Warrington. Further down the table, the Bradford Bulls’ survival hopes remain precarious after a 28‑18 loss to Toulouse Olympique, leaving them two points shy of safety with two rounds left.
The Bulls were severely depleted, with 17 first‑team players unavailable due to injuries, suspensions and recent defeats. Head coach Kurt Haggerty fielded a makeshift squad that included academy graduate Harvey Ward, who made his senior debut off the bench. Despite the odds, the Bulls showed flashes of resilience.
Toulouse seized an early lead when Romeo Tropis broke through for a try, followed by Paul Ulberg and Luke Polselli adding to the tally, giving the visitors a 10‑0 advantage. Bradford responded when Riley Dean set up Chris Atkin, and Ethan Quai‑Ward’s pass enabled John Toleafoa to score his first try of the season, narrowing the gap to 16‑6 at halftime. The second half saw Bradford fight valiantly; Dean was denied twice near the line, while Sutton and Eliot Peposhi combined to thwart Toleafoa’s attempts. Andy Ackers capitalised on a defensive error to pull the Bulls within four points.
Toulouse, however, sealed the win in the closing minutes. Mathieu Jussaume crossed for his 16th try of the year, and Tropis finished a flowing move, securing a ninth‑place finish for the French side and avenging a March loss to Bradford. Alfie Leake, another academy product, celebrated his first senior try as the final whistle blew, providing a brief uplift for the traveling squad.
Bradford now faces a do‑or‑die scenario: they must defeat 10th‑placed Castleford at home on Thursday, or risk a relegation battle against bottom‑side York Knights the following week. Meanwhile, Toulouse will conclude their season with fixtures against Hull FC and Warrington. All Super League matches are broadcast live on Sky Sports, with two games each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining fixtures available on Sky Sports+. The league continues to offer extensive coverage, ensuring fans can follow every twist and turn of the competition as the race for playoff spots intensifies.