Warrington sealed a home spot 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 place among the top four but also marked a hard‑fought triumph in front of a partisan crowd during their final home fixture of the campaign.
The match began with both sides trading early penalties – Warrington captain George Williams converting for the hosts while Hull’s Aidan Sezer replied for the visitors. Those kicks set a tentative tone, but the Wolves soon began to dominate possession and territory.
A period of hesitation from Hull under two high balls allowed Warrington to pull ahead, and by halftime they enjoyed a ten‑point cushion. In the first half, Sam Burgess’s side appeared to be cruising toward a sixth consecutive win.
Leon Hayes and Matty Ashton each crossed the line in quick succession, giving the home team a comfortable lead and seemingly putting the result beyond doubt. The momentum continued after the break when Josh Thewlis added a third try for Warrington just ten minutes into the second half, extending the advantage and prompting many fans to celebrate what looked like a sealed victory.
However, Hull FC refused to surrender without a fight. The visitors responded with a burst of energy, and Ethan O’Neill quickly converted a try that narrowed the gap. The drama intensified when veteran Tom Briscoe, who is preparing to retire after a distinguished 17‑year career, slotted his own try, reigniting the contest and forcing Warrington to dig deep to preserve their lead. Those two rapid scores brought Hull back within striking distance and set the stage for a tense final period.
Warrington ultimately held on, but the triumph came at a cost. Aaron Lindop was ruled out after failing a head‑injury assessment, and Burgess saw both Luke Thomas and Joe Philbin leave the field with apparent leg injuries. Despite the setbacks, Burgess praised his side’s resilience, saying, “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 that the team’s growing toughness was an essential part of their journey. Hull’s head coach Andy Last lauded his players for their fighting spirit, noting that the match had been a showcase of determination.
He singled out Tom Briscoe for his emotional performance, saying, “I’m proud of the performance. We were up against a really good team who are in good form, and we went toe‑to‑toe with them for 80 minutes. Tom’s try in front of the home fans was a remarkable moment.” In a separate fixture, Wakefield secured their own post‑season berth by defeating a struggling York side 28‑12. Daryl Powell’s Raiders entered the second half under pressure, as York briefly leveled the score early in the period.
Nonetheless, Wakefield’s attacking trio – Jayden Myers, Max Jowitt and Lachlan Walmsley – each crossed for tries that re‑established a comfortable lead. The match opened with Corey Hall’s successful conversion giving Wakefield an early advantage.
Former Wakefield player Ben Jones‑Bishop reduced the deficit for York, but Walmsley’s first try before the break pushed the visitors into a six‑point halftime lead. York fought back in the second half, with Xavier Va’a’s brilliant run and Jon Bennison’s conversion bringing the scores level, only for Myers to strike from a short pass by Mike McMeeken, restoring Wakefield’s edge. A subsequent interception by Bennison set up Jowitt’s decisive try, and Walmsley added a second late‑stage score to seal the win. The victory was a morale boost after three straight defeats and moved Wakefield two points clear in fourth place, 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 saw their survival hopes dwindle after a 28‑18 loss to Toulouse. The French side’s win left Bradford just two points shy of safety with two rounds remaining.
The Bulls were hampered by a depleted squad – 17 first‑team players were unavailable due to injuries, suspensions and recent defeats. Among the 17 who travelled were academy prospect Harvey Ward, who made his senior debut off the bench, and returning veterans Ryan Sutton and Connor Wynne. Toulouse started strongly, with Cesar Rouge’s accurate boot and a quick try from Paul Ulberg giving them a 10‑0 lead.
Bradford responded, however, as Riley Dean’s incisive pass set up Chris Atkin, and Ethan Quai‑Ward’s support allowed John Toleafoa to score, narrowing the gap to 16‑6 at halftime. The second half remained fiercely contested. Dean was denied twice at the line, while Sutton and Eliot Peposhi combined to keep Toleafoa from scoring again.
A turnover by Maxime Stefani led to Andy Ackers’ dummy and a try that reduced the deficit to four points. Toulouse sealed the win in the final minutes when Mathieu Jussaume, who has already amassed 16 tries this season, crossed for his 16th, and Romeo Tropis finished a flowing move to confirm a ninth‑place finish for the French club. Alfie Leake, another academy graduate, capped the night with his first senior try, providing a brief lift for the travelling Bulls supporters.
The equation for Bradford is now stark: they must defeat 10th‑placed Castleford at home on Thursday, or risk a must‑win away game at bottom‑side York Knights the following week, which could determine their fate for the entire season. Looking ahead, Toulouse will close out their campaign against Hull FC on Friday before traveling to Warrington for their final match. Meanwhile, Sky Sports will broadcast every Super League game this season, with two matches each round shown live on the main channel and the remaining fixtures available on Sky Sports+.
Overall, the final weeks of the Super League have delivered drama, resilience, and pivotal moments that will shape the play‑off picture. Warrington’s home advantage, Wakefield’s resurgence, and Bradford’s battle for survival illustrate the high stakes and competitive spirit that define the league as it approaches its climax.