Wakefield Trinity secured 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 clinching third place alive. The match, staged at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, proved to be a tightly contested affair, with both sides exchanging leads before Wakefield ultimately emerged victorious. The win lifted Daryl Powell's men to 36 points, positioning them just two points behind Warrington, who sit on 38 points in third place.
With only one round remaining, Wakefield must now hope for a slip‑up from the Wolves, who will need a victory over Toulouse Olympique in Round 27 to lock in the coveted third‑place spot. The first half was dominated by Warrington, who surged ahead to a 14‑6 lead at the break. Leon Hayes opened the scoring with a penalty after just ten minutes, and he added a second penalty three minutes later following a late hit on the ball. The Wolves then capitalised on their momentum: Josh Smith crossed for a try, and Matty Ashton added another, with Hayes converting the second effort.
Wakefield responded before the half‑time whistle when Tom Johnstone sliced through the defence for a try, and Max Jowitt successfully kicked the conversion, trimming the deficit to 14‑8. The second half saw Wakefield launch a determined comeback. Isaiah Vagan struck twice in quick succession, breaking through the defensive line from close range. Cam Scott followed with a well‑timed run that resulted in another try, while Mason Lino slotted a drop goal to further chip away at Warrington's lead.
Max Jowitt was flawless with the boot, converting both of Wakefield's tries and adding the extra points from the drop goal, which pushed Trinity ahead 18‑14. Warrington refused to capitulate. Albert Hopoate managed a solo effort in the corner, but Hayes missed the conversion, leaving the scores level at 18‑18 with roughly fifteen minutes remaining. The tension in the packed stadium was palpable as both sets of supporters sensed the outcome could swing either way.
The decisive moment arrived when Toby King, under pressure near his own goal line, dropped the ball. Cam Scott pounced on the resulting dropout, barreling over the line for a try.
Jowitt added the conversion, giving Wakefield a six‑point cushion with just under ten minutes left on the clock. Warrington pressed hard in the closing stages, but a combination of missed opportunities and disciplined defending from Trinity ensured the Wolves could not find the back of the net again. Lino's drop goal in the dying minutes sealed the win and handed Warrington their seventh defeat of the season. Beyond the scoreboard, the match illustrated the classic attrition battle typical of a third‑versus‑fourth clash.
Both teams displayed moments of brilliance—Hayes' accurate penalty kicking, Smith and Ashton's early tries for Warrington, and the relentless forward drives from Wakefield that created the space for Vagan and Scott's scores. The game also highlighted the importance of composure under pressure; Jowitt's perfect conversion record and Lino's timely drop goal proved the difference between a narrow win and a potential loss. In other Super League action on Saturday, the York Knights produced a spirited second‑half comeback to overcome the Catalans Dragons 28‑16 at Stade Gilbert Brutus.
After falling behind early, York's Oliver Field and David Nofoaluma broke through the Dragons' defence, while Liam Harris's 80‑metre sprint for a try gave the visitors the lead just after the hour mark. Despite a late try from Catalans' Paul Vaughan, York held firm, with Jesse Dee serving a sin‑bin stint for a reckless pull‑back on a French player.
The broader context of the weekend's fixtures underscores the competitive nature of the league as it approaches its climax. Sky Sports continues to broadcast every Super League game live, offering two exclusive live matches each round and streaming the remaining fixtures via Sky Sports+.
Overall, Wakefield's victory not only narrows the gap to third place but also provides a morale boost heading into the final round. Their ability to overturn a halftime deficit, execute under pressure, and maintain defensive solidity will be key factors as they aim to secure a top‑three finish, while Warrington must now focus on delivering a result against Toulouse to cement their position.