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, played at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, saw Daryl Powell's side edge ahead by two points, moving them to 36 points in fourth place, just two points shy of Warrington, who sit on 38 points. The win was crucial for Wakefield, who now need a favourable outcome in their final fixture to maintain any outside chance of overtaking the Wolves for the coveted third spot.
Conversely, Warrington must win their Round 27 encounter with Toulouse Olympique to cement their position. The first half was dominated by the Wolves, who built a 14‑6 lead through a combination of disciplined kicking and opportunistic tries. Leon Hayes opened the scoring with a penalty, followed by another from him after a late hit on the ball. Josh Smith then crossed for a try, and Matty Ashton added another, with Hayes converting the second effort as the half‑time whistle blew.
Wakefield responded before the break when Tom Johnstone slotted a try after a well‑executed set‑piece, and Max Jowitt added the conversion, narrowing the deficit to 14‑8. The second half saw Wakefield unleash a wave of attacking rugby. Isaiah Vagan broke through the defensive line twice, scoring a double that swung momentum in Trinity's favour. Cam Scott added a try after a swift passing move, and Mason Lino contributed a crucial drop goal that extended the lead.
Max Jowitt continued his flawless kicking, converting each opportunity and pushing Wakefield ahead 25‑18. Warrington managed only a solitary try from Albert Hopoate in the closing stages, but his conversion was missed, leaving the Wolves unable to recover. The match was a classic contest between the league's third‑ and fourth‑placed sides, with both teams displaying tenacity, physicality, and strategic kicking.
Early in the game, the two clubs exchanged possession and territory without much disruption. Hayes broke the deadlock in the 10th minute with a penalty, giving the visitors a 2‑0 lead.
Three minutes later, another penalty for a late hit saw Hayes extend the margin to 4‑0. Wakefield's first breakthrough came in the 28th minute when a penalty allowed them to shift the ball to the left, enabling Johnstone to outmaneuver Josh Smith for a try. Jowitt's conversion put Trinity ahead 6‑4.
Warrington quickly retaliated, and a slick move to the right, initiated by George Williams, saw Smith level the scores with a try. Hayes missed the conversion from the touchline, leaving the Wolves with a narrow 8‑6 advantage.
The Wolves then capitalised on another set‑piece, with Williams delivering a superb grubber kick that Ashton leapt on in the corner. Hayes added the conversion, and Warrington entered the break with a 14‑6 lead. The second half began with Wakefield pressing hard. Vagana powered through the defensive line twice in quick succession, the second try following a long break by Hall and a subsequent pass to Johnstone.
Jowitt's successful conversion pushed Trinity ahead 18‑14. Warrington fought back, and Hopoate scored in the corner, but Hayes' errant conversion attempt left the scores level at 18‑18 with fifteen minutes remaining. Tension mounted as both sets of supporters filled the stadium with nervous anticipation.
The decisive moment arrived when Cam Scott surged over from a goal‑line dropout, catching Toby King out of position. Jowitt, still perfect with his boot, added the conversion, giving Wakefield a six‑point cushion with under ten minutes left. The Wolves attempted to respond, but a series of handling errors cost them valuable opportunities. Mason Lino then slotted a drop goal, sealing Wakefield's victory and handing the Wolves their seventh loss of the season.
Beyond the headline match, the Saturday schedule featured a dramatic comeback by the York Knights, who rallied in the second half to defeat Catalans Dragons 28‑16 at Stade Gilbert Brutus. The Dragons, who had broken a four‑match losing streak with a 34‑6 win at Castleford the previous week, took an early lead when Leo Darrelatour sprinted 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 responded when Oliver Field powered through the defense in the 20th minute, and later David Nofoaluma finished a looping pass from Cody Hunter. Darrelatour restored Catalans' lead before halftime with a hat‑trick try, making it 16‑12 at the break.
In the second half, a video review ruled out a Julian Bousquet try for York. However, Liam Harris collected a loose ball at the 52nd minute and sprinted nearly 80 metres to the try line, with Hunter's conversion putting the Knights ahead 18‑16. The momentum stayed with York as Scott Galeano added a fourth try after precise cross‑field passing. With seven minutes left, Jesse Dee was sin‑binned for pulling down Aispuro‑Bichet, but York held firm, and Paul Vaughan scored a final try to secure a hard‑earned win.
All Super League fixtures this season are broadcast live on Sky Sports, with two matches per round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining five available via Sky Sports+. The coverage ensures fans can follow every twist and turn of the league's thrilling race for the top positions.