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 win that kept their hopes of a top‑three finish alive. The match unfolded at the DIY Kitchens Stadium in front of a packed crowd, and the drama swung back and forth until the final minutes, with both sides fighting for the crucial two points that could decide who finishes third.
Daryl Powell’s Trinity entered the game in fourth place with 36 points, just two shy of Warrington’s 38. By edging the Wolves, Wakefield moved to within a single point of the third‑place spot, leaving the Wolves needing a victory in the following round against Toulouse Olympique to confirm their position. The first half belonged to Warrington.
Leon Hayes opened the scoring with a penalty after ten minutes, and he added a second penalty three minutes later, giving the visitors a 4‑0 lead. The Wolves then built momentum through a series of well‑executed plays. Josh Smith crossed for a try, and Hayes converted, followed by a Matty Ashton try in the corner, again with Hayes slotting the conversion.
At the half‑time whistle, the scoreboard read 14‑6 in favour of Warrington. Wakefield, however, were not deterred. Tom Johnstone answered with a try just before the break, slipping the ball past Josh Smith and forcing Max Jowitt to add the conversion, narrowing the deficit to 14‑12.
The half‑time score reflected a tightly contested encounter, with both teams showing a blend of physicality and skill. The second half saw Wakefield surge forward with renewed vigor.
Isaiah Vagan broke through the defensive line twice in quick succession, scoring two close‑range tries that shifted the momentum. Cam Scott added another try after a swift passing move, and Max Jowitt continued his perfect kicking record by converting both scores. Mason Lino then contributed a well‑timed drop goal, extending Trinity’s lead to 18‑14.
Warrington fought back, with Albert Hopoate crossing for a try in the corner. Unfortunately for the Wolves, Hayes missed the conversion, leaving the scores level 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.
The decisive moment arrived when Wakefield capitalised on a goal‑line dropout. Cam Scott powered over the line, and Jowitt’s conversion put Trinity ahead 24‑18 with just under ten minutes to play. Warrington pressed hard, but errors and missed opportunities hampered their comeback.
Lino’s drop goal in the dying minutes sealed the win for Wakefield, marking the Wolves’ seventh loss of the season. Beyond the headline result, the match illustrated the attritional nature of a battle for third place.
Both teams exchanged possession and territory early on, with minimal interference until Hayes’ early penalties gave Warrington a slender edge. Wakefield’s resilience in the second half, highlighted by Vagan’s double and Scott’s try, demonstrated their capacity to respond under pressure. In a separate fixture on Saturday, the York Knights produced an impressive second‑half display to overcome the Catalans Dragons 28‑16 at Stade Gilbert Brutus. York’s comeback was sparked by a long‑range sprint from Liam Harris, who collected a loose ball and covered nearly 80 metres to score, with Cody Hunter’s conversion nudging the Knights into the lead.
Catalans had previously broken a four‑match losing streak with a 34‑6 victory at Castleford, and they started the York game strongly, with Leo Darrelatour scoring two early tries. However, York’s relentless attack, including a try from Oliver Field and a well‑timed pass to David Nofoaluma, kept the pressure on. After a video review overturned a Julian Bousquet try, the Knights continued to dominate, adding further scores from Scott Galeano and Paul Vaughan. The weekend’s action underscored the competitive depth of the Super League, where every round can reshape the table.
Sky Sports will broadcast all matches live this season, with two games per round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining fixtures available on Sky Sports+. Overall, Wakefield’s victory not only narrows the gap to third place but also showcases their ability to thrive in high‑stakes environments. With one round left, the battle for the coveted third spot remains wide open, promising an exciting climax to the regular season.