Wakefield Trinity edged out Warrington Wolves 25-18 in the second‑to‑last round of the Super League, a clash that unfolded at the DIY Kitchens Stadium and kept the fight for the coveted third spot very much alive. The win, secured by Daryl Powell’s side, moved them to 36 points, just two shy of Warrington’s 38, and left them perched in fourth place with a realistic outside chance of climbing onto the podium. Warrington, now on 38 points, will need to defeat Toulouse Olympique in the forthcoming Round 27 if they hope to lock in third place.
The Wolves had taken an early lead, entering the break ahead 14-6 thanks to a pair of penalties from Leon Hayes and tries from Josh Smith and Matty Ashton, with Hayes converting the latter. Wakefield responded before the half‑time whistle with a try from Tom Johnstone, followed by a successful conversion from Max Jowitt, narrowing the gap to 14-8.
The second half saw Wakefield unleash a flurry of attacking play. Isaiah Vagan crossed the line twice in quick succession, while Cam Scott added another try. Mason Lino contributed a well‑timed drop goal, and Max Jowitt continued his flawless kicking, converting each opportunity.
These points swung the momentum in Trinity’s favour, giving them a 25-14 lead. Warrington managed a solitary try from Albert Hopoate, but Hayes missed the conversion, leaving the Wolves trailing 25-18.
The match was essentially a showdown between the third‑ and fourth‑placed teams, and both sides displayed the physical attrition one would expect in such a high‑stakes encounter. Early on, the two squads exchanged possession and territory with little interference, until the 10th minute when Hayes slotted a penalty, putting the visitors ahead 2-0. Three minutes later, another penalty awarded for a late hit on the ball saw Hayes extend the lead to 4-0.
Wakefield broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. After earning a penalty, the ball was swung left, and Johnstone stepped past Josh Smith to score. Jowitt’s conversion put Trinity ahead 6-4. Warrington answered before the first half ended; a slick move initiated by George Williams saw Smith reclaim a try, but Hayes missed the conversion from the touchline, leaving the Wolves with a narrow 8-6 advantage.
Warrington’s persistence paid off just before the break. Williams delivered an exceptional grubber kick that Ashton leapt on in the corner, and Hayes converted, sending the Wolves into halftime with a 14-6 lead.
The second half began with Wakefield on the front foot. Vagan powered through two close‑range scores, each followed by Jowitt’s extra points, flipping the scoreboard to 18-14 in Trinity’s favour.
Warrington’s response came quickly; Hopoate crossed in the corner, but Hayes’ conversion attempt went wide, leaving the scores level at 18-18 with roughly fifteen minutes remaining. Tension mounted as both sets of supporters filled the stadium with nervous anticipation. The deadlock was broken when Cam Scott surged over from a goal‑line dropout, capitalising on a mis‑positioned Toby King.
Jowitt, still perfect with the boot, added the conversion, restoring a six‑point cushion to Wakefield with under ten minutes left. The Wolves pressed hard, but errors and missed chances hampered their comeback. Lino’s decisive drop goal cemented Wakefield’s advantage, sealing a 25-18 triumph and handing the Wolves their seventh defeat of the campaign. In other Super League action on Saturday, York Knights rallied in the second half to overcome Catalans Dragons 28-16 at Stade Gilbert Brutus.
The Dragons, who had snapped a four‑match losing streak with a 34-6 win at Castleford the previous week, opened the scoring early when Leo Darrelatour broke away down the right wing in the fourth minute. He added a second try in the 17th minute after a patient build‑up, with Guillermo Aispuro‑Bichet converting. York answered in the 20th minute through Oliver Field, and maintained pressure as David Nofoaluma finished a looping pass from Cody Hunter. Darrelatour’s hat‑trick try just before halftime gave Catalans a 16-12 lead at the break.
The second half saw a pivotal moment when Julian Bousquet’s try was overturned after a video review. Liam Harris then collected a loose ball and sprinted nearly 80 metres to score, with Hunter’s conversion putting York ahead 18-16.
The Knights continued to dominate, with Scott Galeano adding a fourth try after a crisp cross‑field pass. Jesse Dee was sin‑binned with seven minutes remaining for pulling back Aispuro‑Bichet, but York held firm, and Paul Vaughan’s late try sealed a hard‑earned victory.
Sky Sports will broadcast every Super League fixture live this season, offering two exclusive live matches each round, while the remaining five games per round will be available via Sky Sports+.