Wakefield Trinity fought back to claim a 25‑18 triumph over the Warrington Wolves in the penultimate round of the Super League, a win that keeps their hopes of finishing third 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 ultimately edged the Wolves. Daryl Powell’s side entered the game trailing Warrington by two points – the Wolves sat on 38 points while Wakefield had 36 and occupied fourth place.
By winning, Trinity closed the gap to just two points, meaning they remain in contention for the coveted third‑place slot. For Warrington, the result means they must secure a victory in the final round against Toulouse Olympique if they wish to lock in that position.
The first half was dominated by Warrington, who built a 14‑6 lead through a combination of disciplined penalty kicking and well‑executed tries. Leon Hayes opened the scoring with a penalty, and three minutes later added a second after a late hit on the ball. The Wolves then capitalised on a swift passing move that saw Josh Smith dive over for a try, followed by a successful conversion from Hayes.
Matty Ashton added a further try after a brilliant grubber kick from George Williams that he collected in the corner, with Hayes again converting to take the half‑time score to 14‑6. Wakefield’s response came just before the break. Tom Johnstone broke through the Wolves’ defensive line to score a try, and Max Jowitt added the conversion, narrowing the deficit to 14‑8. The momentum shift, however, was not enough to overturn the half‑time score, and the visitors headed into the dressing rooms still trailing by eight points.
The second half saw Wakefield emerge with renewed vigor. Isaiah Vagana struck twice in quick succession, powering his way over from close range on both occasions. The first of those tries came after a sustained period of pressure that forced the Wolves back, and the second was set up by a brilliant break downfield by Hall, which allowed Johnstone to feed Vagana inside the 20‑meter line. Jowitt’s reliable boot added the extra points, putting Trinity ahead 18‑14.
Warrington refused to surrender and soon levelled the scores. Albert Hopoate crossed in the corner, but Hayes missed the conversion, leaving the game tied at 18‑18 with roughly fifteen minutes remaining.
The tension in the stadium was palpable as both sets of supporters sensed that the outcome could hinge on a single mistake. Wakefield seized the initiative once more when Cam Scott barreled over from a goal‑line dropout after Toby King was caught out of position. Jowitt, who had already been perfect with his place‑kicking, added another conversion, pushing Trinity ahead 24‑18 with just under ten minutes left on the clock.
The Wolves pressed hard for a comeback, but a series of errors cost them valuable opportunities. In the dying minutes, Mason Lino slotted a drop goal that extended Wakefield’s lead to 25‑18, effectively sealing the win. The loss marked Warrington’s seventh defeat of the campaign and left them needing a win in the final round to guarantee third place.
Beyond the main fixture, Saturday also delivered an exciting contest between York Knights and Catalans Dragons at Stade Gilbert Brutus. York rallied from a deficit to defeat the Dragons 28‑16, showcasing a powerful second‑half performance. Catalans had broken a four‑match losing streak with a 34‑6 victory at Castleford the previous week, and they started strong in this game with a try from Leo Darrelatour in the fourth minute, followed by a second try in the 17th minute after a patient build‑up. However, York responded quickly, with Oliver Field scoring in the 20th minute and David Nofoaluma adding another after a looping pass from Cody Hunter.
Darrelatour completed his hat‑trick just before halftime, giving Catalans a 16‑12 lead at the break. The second half saw York’s Liam Harris pick up a loose ball and sprint nearly the length of the field to score, with Hunter’s conversion putting the Knights ahead 18‑16. A subsequent try from Scott Galeano after a slick cross‑field pass extended York’s advantage, and despite a late sin‑bin for Jesse Dee for pulling back Aispuro‑Bichet, the Knights held firm.
Paul Vaughan capped the victory with a final try, sealing a hard‑earned win for York. Throughout the weekend, Sky Sports continued its comprehensive coverage of the Super League, broadcasting every match live. Two games each round are shown exclusively on the main channel, while the remaining fixtures are available via Sky Sports+. Overall, Wakefield’s victory not only demonstrates their resilience under pressure but also keeps the race for the top three positions wide open as the season draws to a close.
Their ability to overturn a first‑half deficit and execute crucial kicks underlines a team that can still challenge for higher honours, while Warrington now faces a must‑win scenario in the final round to secure their desired standing.