Warrington sealed a home berth in the Super League play‑offs after fending off a late surge from Hull FC to edge a 16‑14 victory at the MKM Stadium. The win not only guaranteed the Wolves a top‑four finish but also underscored the resilience of Sam Burgess’s side in a tightly contested match. The first half saw Warrington dominate early, with Leon Hayes and Matty Ashton crossing the line in quick succession to give the hosts a comfortable lead before the break.
Their two‑try burst put them firmly in control and hinted at a potential sixth consecutive win. Early on, both teams exchanged penalties – Warrington captain George Williams and Hull’s Aidan Sezer each slotting points – but a moment of indecision under two high kicks allowed the home side to stretch the gap to ten points.
Ten minutes into the second half, Josh Thewlis added Warrington’s third try, seemingly putting the game beyond Hull’s reach. Yet the Black and Whites, playing their final home game of the campaign, rallied with renewed urgency. Ethan O'Neill quickly followed with a conversion, and veteran Tom Briscoe – who is set to retire after a 17‑year career – scored a crucial try that reignited the contest.
Those scores narrowed the margin and forced Hull to cling to a narrow lead as the clock wound down. In the closing stages, Warrington managed to hold on, securing a top‑four slot and a home play‑off tie.
The victory, however, came at a cost. Aaron Lindop failed his head‑injury assessment, and Burgess was forced to watch both Luke Thomas and Joe Philbin leave the field with apparent leg injuries.
Burgess reflected on the performance, saying to Sky Sports, “We controlled the game for large parts, and I was a bit disappointed that they were able to score two tries towards the end.” He added, “I’m proud of the lads; they’re a joy to coach. We’re getting tougher, which is an important part of our journey – to be able to manage these periods and just get on with the job.” Hull FC head coach Andy Last praised his side’s fighting spirit despite the loss, highlighting Briscoe’s emotional farewell. “I’m disappointed with the result but really proud of the performance,” Last said.
“We were up against a very good 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 crowd.” Meanwhile, Wakefield Trinity also secured a post‑season berth with a convincing 28‑12 win over a struggling York side.
Daryl Powell’s men entered the second half trailing but soon turned the tide. Early in the half, Corey Hall’s conversion gave Wakefield the lead, but York’s former Trinity player Ben Jones‑Bishop reduced the deficit. Lachlan Walmsley then broke through for his first try, giving Wakefield a six‑point advantage at halftime.
York fought back in the second period, with Xavier Va’a’s brilliant run and Jon Bennison’s conversion restoring parity. However, Wakefield responded swiftly. Jayden Myers capitalised on a short pass from Mike McMeeken to score, and Max Jowitt’s intercept try effectively sealed the contest. Walmsley added a second try late on to cement the victory.
The win broke Wakefield’s three‑match losing streak and moved them two points clear in fourth place, six points ahead of seventh‑placed St Helens. Their chances of securing 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 defeat to Toulouse.
The loss left them two points shy of safety with two rounds remaining. The Bulls entered the match with only 17 fit senior players after injuries, suspensions and a depleted squad forced academy youngster Harvey Ward into a senior debut off the bench. Despite the odds, Bradford showed flashes of promise. Cesar Rouge’s accurate kicking helped the makeshift side stay competitive, and Paul Ulberg’s try, followed by Luke Polselli’s three‑on‑one effort, gave them a 10‑0 lead early on.
Toulouse answered back, with Riley Dean creating opportunities for Chris Atkin and Ethan Quai‑Ward setting up John Toleafoa for the Bulls’ first try of the season, narrowing the gap to 16‑6 at halftime. The second half saw a hard‑fought battle, with Bradford’s defense holding strong and Andy Ackers capitalising on a turnover to bring the score to a four‑point margin. In the final minutes, Toulouse’s Mathieu Jussaume crossed for his 16th try of the year, and Romeo Tropis added another, sealing a ninth‑place finish for the French side and avenging a March loss to Bradford. Academy graduate Alfie Leake also celebrated his first senior try, providing a morale boost as the final whistle blew.
Bradford now faces a must‑win scenario: they must defeat 10th‑placed Castleford at home on Thursday, or risk a showdown with second‑bottom York Knights that could determine their fate for the season. The pressure is mounting as the Bulls aim to claw back into the safety zone. Looking ahead, Toulouse will close their campaign against Hull FC on Friday before traveling to Warrington.
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live this season, with two games each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining fixtures available on Sky Sports+. Overall, the final weeks of the Super League promise high drama as teams battle for playoff positions and fight to avoid relegation, with every point becoming increasingly vital in the closing stages of the competition.