Wakefield Trinity secured a hard‑earned 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 unfolded at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, where a packed crowd witnessed a tightly contested battle that swung back and forth before Wakefield finally pulled away in the closing stages.
The win lifted Daryl Powell’s side to 36 points, placing them just two points behind Warrington, who sit on 38 points in third. With only one round remaining, Wakefield must hope that the Wolves stumble in their final fixture against Toulouse Olympique if the Wildcats are to overtake them for the coveted third spot. ### First Half – Warrington Take the Lead Warrington started the game strongly, building a 14‑6 advantage by halftime.
The opening score came from a Leon Hayes penalty in the 10th minute, followed by a second penalty three minutes later after a late hit on the ball. Hayes’s accurate boot gave the Wolves a 4‑0 lead, and the early points set the tone for a physical, low‑scoring first half. Wakefield responded in the 28th minute when Tom Johnstone capitalised on a well‑executed penalty kick, sidestepping Josh Smith and grounding the ball in the corner.
Max Jowitt’s conversion nudged Trinity ahead 6‑4. However, the lead was short‑lived; a few minutes later Warrington’s George Williams produced a deft grubber kick that found Matty Ashton, who leapt over the line to level the scores.
Hayes missed the subsequent conversion, but a second successful penalty soon after restored the Wolves’ lead to 8‑6. Just before the half‑hour mark, Williams again displayed his creativity, delivering a superb grubber that Ashton collected in the corner for his second try of the half.
Hayes converted, pushing the scoreboard to 14‑6 at the break. ### Second Half – Wakefield’s Comeback The second half belonged to Wakefield, who emerged from the tunnel with renewed vigor. Isaiah Vagana broke through the Wolves’ defence twice in quick succession, scoring two close‑range tries that swung momentum back in Trinity’s favour.
Both scores were followed by flawless conversions from Max Jowitt, who added four points to put Wakefield ahead 18‑14. Warrington refused to surrender, and Albert Hopoate crossed the line for a solitary try that brought the visitors back level at 18‑18 after Hayes’s conversion attempt slipped wide.
The game then entered a tense, nervy phase with both sets of supporters on edge. With just under ten minutes remaining, Cam Scott powered over from a goal‑line dropout, exploiting a momentary lapse in the Wolves’ defence.
Jowitt, who had already been perfect with the boot, added the extra two points, extending Wakefield’s lead to 24‑18. In the dying minutes, the Wolves pressed for a comeback, but a series of handling errors and missed opportunities thwarted their efforts. Mason Lino stepped up to slot a drop goal, sealing the final score at 25‑18 and handing the Wolves their seventh defeat of the season. ### Implications for the Table The result keeps Wakefield within striking distance of third place, but the final round will be decisive.
Warrington must secure a win against Toulouse to cement their position, while Wakefield will need a victory of their own and hope that the Wolves slip up. The battle for the final playoff spot remains one of the most compelling storylines as the season draws to a close. ### Other Super League Action on the Same Day Later on Saturday, the York Knights produced a spirited comeback to overcome the Catalans Dragons 28‑16 at Stade Gilbert Brutus. After falling behind early, York’s Oliver Field and David Nofoaluma sparked a second‑half resurgence that saw them pull ahead and maintain the lead despite a late surge from the French side.
The Knights’ victory highlighted the depth of competition across the league as teams fight for every point. ### Broadcast Information All Super League fixtures this season are available live on Sky Sports, with two matches each round shown exclusively on the main channel. The remaining five games per round are streamed via Sky Sports+, ensuring fans have multiple options to follow the action.
In summary, Wakefield Trinity’s 25‑18 win over Warrington Wolves was a pivotal moment in the closing stages of the Super League season. The match showcased resilience, tactical kicking, and a clutch performance from Max Jowitt, whose perfect conversion record proved decisive.
As the league approaches its final round, the race for third place remains wide open, promising another thrilling chapter in what has been an electrifying campaign.