Warrington locked in a home play‑off berth after fending off a late surge from Hull FC to edge a 16‑14 victory in the Betfred Super League at the MKM Stadium. The win not only cemented their place among the top four but also marked a dramatic finish to a fiercely contested match. From the outset, Sam Burgess’s side appeared to be cruising toward a sixth consecutive triumph. Leon Hayes and Matty Ashton each crossed the line before the break, delivering back‑to‑back tries that gave Warrington a comfortable cushion.
Their early dominance was evident as they matched Hull’s intensity, with both teams exchanging early penalties – captain George Williams for the hosts and Aidan Sezer for the visitors – before a moment of indecision under two high kicks left Warrington ten points ahead at the half‑time whistle. The second half began with a sense of complacency, but a quick strike from Josh Thewlis, his third try of the season, seemed to seal the deal for the home side. Yet the Black and Whites, playing their final home game of the campaign, were jolted back into focus when Hull FC responded with two rapid conversions. Ethan O'Neill and veteran Tom Briscoe, who is preparing to retire after an impressive 17‑year career, each scored, pulling the visitors within striking distance and turning the contest into a nail‑biter.
The closing stages were tense. Hull’s late tries threatened to overturn Warrington’s lead, but the hosts held firm, preserving a narrow margin that guarantees a top‑four finish and a home play‑off tie. The victory, however, came at a cost.
Aaron Lindop failed a head‑injury assessment, and Burgess saw both Luke Thomas and Joe Philbin leave the field with apparent leg injuries, raising concerns about squad depth ahead of the post‑season. Speaking to Sky Sports, Burgess reflected on the performance: “We controlled large portions of the game, and I was a bit disappointed that they managed to score two tries at the end.” He added, “I’m proud of the lads; they’re a joy to coach. We’re getting tougher, which is a crucial part of our journey – managing these periods and just getting on with the job.” Hull FC head coach Andy Last praised his side’s resilience, highlighting Briscoe’s emotional connection with the crowd. “I’m disappointed with the result but very proud of the performance,” Last said.
“We were up against a quality team in good form, and we fought toe‑to‑toe for 80 minutes. Tom Briscoe gave a remarkable performance today and it was great to see him score in front of the home fans.” In the other half of the round, Wakefield delivered a convincing win over a struggling York side, 28‑12, securing their own play‑off place. Daryl Powell’s team started brightly, with Corey Hall’s conversion giving an early lead.
After a brief scare when York briefly levelled, Wakefield responded through a series of tries from Jayden Myers, Max Jowitt and Lachlan Walmsley, each showcasing the squad’s attacking depth. York’s early efforts included a try from former Wakefield player Ben Jones‑Bishop, but Walmsley’s first try before the break gave the visitors a six‑point advantage at halftime. Wakefield’s momentum continued after the interval; Xavier Va’a’s incisive run set up Jon Bennison’s conversion to bring the scores level, only for Myers to exploit a short pass from Mike McMeeken and restore Wakefield’s lead. A subsequent interception by Bennison allowed Jowitt to extend the margin, and Walmsley capped the win with a second try late in the game.
The victory was a vital boost for Wakefield after three consecutive defeats. It moved them two points clear in fourth place and six points ahead of seventh‑placed St Helens. Their chances of earning a home play‑off tie 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, leaving them two points shy of safety with just two rounds left. The Bulls were severely depleted, fielding only 17 fit players after injuries, suspensions and a recent loss at Leigh. Among the few available were academy prospect Harvey Ward, who made his senior debut off the bench, and returning veterans Ryan Sutton and Connor Wynne. Toulouse seized an early lead, with Cesar Rouge’s accurate kicking and a quick try from Paul Ulberg followed by Luke Polselli’s three‑on‑one finish.
Bradford fought back; Riley Dean’s incisive play set up Chris Atkin, while Ethan Quai‑Ward’s pass enabled John Toleafoa to score, narrowing the gap to 16‑6 at the break. The second half saw Bradford press hard. Dean was denied twice near the line, but Sutton and Eliot Peposhi combined to keep Toleafoa from scoring. A turnover by Maxime Stefani allowed Andy Ackers to fake a dummy and dive over, cutting the deficit to four points.
However, Toulouse’s experience shone through in the final minutes. Mathieu Jussaume, on a roll with his 16th try of the season, scored, and Romeo Tropis added a finishing try to seal a 28‑18 victory, delivering Toulouse’s ninth win and avenging a March loss to Bradford. Alfie Leake, another academy graduate, ended the match on a high note, scoring his first senior try as a final act of defiance. The Bulls now face a must‑win scenario: they must defeat Castleford at home on Thursday, or a subsequent trip to the struggling York Knights could see their season end.
Looking ahead, Toulouse will conclude their campaign against Hull FC on Friday before traveling to Warrington. Meanwhile, Sky Sports continues to broadcast every Super League game live this season, with two matches each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining fixtures available via Sky Sports+. Overall, the round highlighted the intensity of the fight for play‑off spots, the resilience of seasoned veterans, and the emerging talent eager to make their mark as the league approaches its decisive final weeks.