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 kept the Wolves on track for a top‑four finish but also highlighted the resilience of a side that had already enjoyed a run of five consecutive triumphs.
The match began with both teams trading early penalties – Warrington captain George Williams converting one for the home side and Hull’s Aidan Sezer replying for the visitors. The early exchange set a disciplined tone, but the Wolves soon began to dominate possession and territory.
A pair of first‑half tries from Leon Hayes and Matty Ashton gave Warrington a comfortable cushion, allowing them to head into the break with a ten‑point lead. Their attacking fluidity was evident as they combined quick ball movement with incisive running lines, leaving the Hull defence scrambling.
The second half started ominously for the hosts. Ten minutes after the restart, Josh Thewlis crossed for Warrington’s third try, seemingly putting the game beyond Hull’s reach.
However, the Black and Whites, playing their final home game of the campaign, rallied with renewed vigor. Ethan O'Neill struck quickly, converting his own effort, and Tom Briscoe – who is set to retire after an impressive 17‑year career – added a try of his own.
Briscoe’s score, a fitting swan song in front of a passionate crowd, reignited the contest and forced Hull to cling to the lead. Warrington’s composure under pressure was tested further when Aaron Lindop failed a head‑injury assessment, and Sam Burgess later lost both Luke Thomas and Joe Philbin to what appeared to be leg injuries. Despite the setbacks, Burgess praised his squad, 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 would be crucial as the season draws to a close.
Hull’s head coach Andy Last lauded his side’s fighting spirit, noting the emotional connection between Tom Briscoe and the supporters after the final whistle. "I’m disappointed with the result but I’m really proud of the performance," Last said. "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 Briscoe gave a remarkable performance today, and it was great that he could score that try in front of the home fans." In the other half of the fixture list, Wakefield posted a convincing 28‑12 win over a struggling York side, ensuring their own place in the post‑season. Daryl Powell’s men started brightly, with Corey Hall’s early converted try giving them the lead. York responded through former Wakefield player Ben Jones‑Bishop, but Wakefield’s Lachlan Walmsley soon broke through for his first try of the season, extending the lead to six points at the break. The second half saw Wakefield’s attacking trio – Jayden Myers, Max Jowitt and Walmsley – combine for three further scores.
After a brief scare when York momentarily levelled, Myers capitalised on a short pass from Mike McMeeken to put Wakefield back in front. A clever interception by Jon Bennison set up Jowitt, whose finish effectively sealed the match. Walmsley capped the win with a late try, cementing a performance that lifted the club out of a three‑match losing streak and moved them two points clear in fourth place, six ahead of seventh‑placed St Helens.
Their next challenge will be a crucial away game at Warrington, which could determine whether they enjoy a home play‑off tie. Further down the table, the Bradford Bulls’ survival hopes remain precarious after a 28‑18 defeat to Toulouse in France.
The Bulls entered the match with only 17 fit senior players, a number further depleted by injuries and a suspension for Loghan Lewis. Among the 17 who travelled was academy prospect Harvey Ward, who earned his senior debut off the bench.
Despite the odds, Bradford showed flashes of promise. Early on, César Rouge’s accurate boot kept the Bulls in contention, and a series of opportunistic plays saw Paul Ulberg and Luke Polselli add points before Romeo Tropis broke through for a try that put the hosts ahead 10‑0. Bradford responded with vigor.
Riley Dean’s line break set up Chris Atkin, while Ethan Quai‑Ward’s pass found John Toleafoa for the Bulls’ first try of the campaign, narrowing the gap to 16‑6 at halftime. The second half featured a series of defensive stands and counter‑attacks. Andy Ackers displayed skillful footwork to score a try that trimmed the deficit to four points. However, Toulouse’s experience shone through in the closing minutes.
Mathieu Jussaume, who has already crossed the line 16 times this season, added his 16th try, and Tropis finished a flowing move, sealing a ninth‑place finish for the French side. Alfie Leake, another academy graduate, ended the night on a high note by scoring his first senior try, offering a glimpse of hope for Bradford’s future. The Bulls now face a do‑or‑die situation: they must defeat 10th‑placed Castleford at home on Thursday, then travel to the struggling York Knights a week later. Failure in either fixture could see their season end prematurely.
Looking ahead, Toulouse will complete their campaign with matches against Hull FC and then Warrington, while Sky Sports continues to broadcast every Super League game live, with two matches each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining fixtures available on Sky Sports+. Overall, the weekend’s action underscored the intensity of the Super League’s closing stages. Warrington’s narrow win secured a coveted home play‑off slot, Wakefield’s solid performance guaranteed their post‑season berth, and the battles for survival at the bottom of the table remain as fierce as ever, promising more drama as the season reaches its climax.