Wakefield Trinity clinched a hard‑fought 25‑18 triumph over the Warrington Wolves in the second‑to‑last round of the Super League campaign, a result that kept their hopes of finishing third alive. The match, staged at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, saw Daryl Powell’s side edge ahead of the Wolves by two points, moving Wakefield to 36 points in fourth place, just two shy of Warrington's 38. The win also meant that the Wolves now need a victory in Round 27 against Toulouse Olympique to secure the coveted third spot. The opening half was dominated by Warrington, who built a 14‑6 lead thanks to a combination of disciplined penalty kicking and well‑timed attacking plays.
Leon Hayes opened the scoring with a penalty after just ten minutes, and he added a second from the tee three minutes later following a late‑hit infringement. Those two kicks gave the visitors a 4‑0 advantage. The Wolves then extended their lead when Josh Smith crossed for a try, with Hayes converting, and Matty Ashton added another try before halftime, again successfully converted by Hayes.
By the break, the scoreboard read 14‑6 in favour of Warrington. Wakefield, however, emerged from the tunnel with renewed purpose. In the early stages of the second half, Isaiah Vagana struck twice in quick succession, exploiting a gap near the try‑line and powering over from close range.
Both tries were promptly converted by Max Jowitt, who had already demonstrated his reliability with the boot throughout the season. Those scores turned the tide, putting Wakefield ahead 18‑14.
Warrington responded almost immediately. Albert Hopoate managed to touch down in the corner, giving the Wolves a chance to level the scores. Unfortunately for them, Hayes missed the conversion from a tight angle, leaving the game deadlocked at 18‑18 with roughly fifteen minutes remaining. The contest then entered a nervy phase, with both sets of supporters creating a charged atmosphere inside the stadium.
Wakefield seized the initiative when Cam Scott broke through the defensive line and dived over the try‑line, adding another Jowitt conversion to stretch the lead to 24‑18. A few minutes later, Mason Lino, known for his composure under pressure, slotted a drop‑goal that extended the margin to six points, making the score 25‑18.
Warrington threw everything at the Trinity defence in the closing stages, but errors and missed opportunities hampered their comeback. Hayes, who had been accurate for most of the match, failed to land the crucial conversion that could have kept the Wolves within striking distance.
Meanwhile, Wakefield’s defensive unit held firm, repelling a series of attacks and forcing the Wolves into turnovers. When the final whistle blew, the result confirmed Wakefield’s seventh loss of the season for Warrington but also highlighted the resilience of Powell’s side. The victory not only gave Wakefield a vital two‑point boost in the chase for third place but also demonstrated their ability to overturn a halftime deficit against a disciplined opponent.
Looking ahead, Wakefield will need to maintain this momentum in the final round. Their next fixture will be crucial, as a win could see them finish third if Warrington falters against Toulouse.
For the Wolves, the pressure is now on to secure a win in their remaining game to lock in the third‑place position and avoid a potential playoff drop‑off. The match was broadcast live on Sky Sports, which continues to provide comprehensive coverage of the Super League season, offering live streams for two matches each round and additional games on Sky Sports+. The coverage ensures fans across the country can follow the intense battle for playoff positioning as the season draws to a close.