Wakefield Trinity secured a home play‑off rematch against the Leigh Leopards with a convincing 19‑8 win in the final round of the Super League campaign. The victory not only cemented Wakefield’s place in the fourth‑versus‑fifth Eliminator but also marked the club’s highest ever league finish – fourth – underscoring the rapid resurgence the side has enjoyed under head coach Daryl Powell since their return to the top flight in 2025. The upcoming Eliminator will be staged at Wakefield’s home ground on Friday, 18 September, with Sky Sports broadcasting the encounter live. A week later, on Saturday, 19 September, Warrington Wolves will take on Hull KR in the parallel fifth‑versus‑sixth clash, also on Sky Sports.
The winners of these two knockout games will progress to the semi‑finals, where they will face either league‑leaders Wigan Warriors or second‑placed Leeds Rhinos for a coveted place in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October. ### Wakefield’s Path to Victory The match began with Leigh’s Tom Johnstone crossing early to give the visitors a 4‑0 lead after a well‑executed kick‑return.
Wakefield responded swiftly; Jake Trueman slotted a try for his winger, restoring parity at 4‑4. Max Jowitt then added two penalty goals, and a second try for the Wakefield winger – a spectacular finish that left the crowd roaring – pushed the home side to a 12‑0 advantage.
Just before the half‑time whistle, Trueman extended the lead with a drop‑goal, making the score 13‑0. Leigh’s supporters could already sense the uphill battle they faced, knowing the same venue would host the decisive play‑off encounter a week later.
The second half saw Leigh finally find the scoreboard when Owen Trout crossed, narrowing the gap to 13‑4. A pivotal moment arrived when Leigh’s scrum‑half Mason Lino was sin‑binned for a professional foul. Wakefield capitalised, with Innes Senior delivering a brilliant edge finish to bring the score to 13‑8.
Despite the momentum shift, Wakefield held firm. In the closing minutes, Cam Scott powered over in the corner, and Jowitt’s conversion sealed a 19‑8 triumph.
### Coach Powell’s Reflections Speaking to Sky Sports, Powell praised his squad’s resilience: “The lads gave us a proud performance today. After the sin‑bin we stayed tough and showed real courage. We’ll dust ourselves off, learn from this, and get ready for next week.
Both teams know play‑off intensity is different, and we left a few points on the field due to some desperate defending from Leigh. It’s all about the upcoming match – Leigh beat us last year in the play‑offs, and that sting drove us this season. We’ve taken valuable lessons and are a stronger side because of them. This is a huge opportunity, and we’ll prove we belong here.” ### Warrington’s Young Guns Secure Third Place While Wakefield celebrated, Warrington Wolves fielded a youthful side after making eleven changes, a bold move by head coach Sam Burgess aimed at resting senior players and giving emerging talent a chance to shine.
The gamble paid off as the Wolves dispatched Toulouse Olympique 26‑14, cementing third place on the ladder. Toulouse, under Sylvain Houles, have impressed since re‑joining the Super League in 2026, but they struggled to contain Warrington’s energy. Paul Ulberg opened the scoring for the French side, but an error allowed Aaron Lindop to equalise. Mathieu Pons added another try before half‑time, yet Toulouse’s kicker missed the conversion, leaving the half‑time score at 8‑8.
In the second half, Romeo Tropis gave Toulouse a fleeting lead, but Warrington answered with Max Wood’s short‑range effort and a second try from Lindop, capitalising on another defensive lapse. Despite a sin‑bin for Charlie McKler, the Wolves displayed grit; Josh Smith finished a clever move off a Leon Hayes kick, and Hayes himself converted three of the five tries.
The final 26‑14 scoreline sent Warrington to face Hull KR at the Halliwell Jones Stadium for a semi‑final berth. ### St Helens Bid Farewell to Legends The weekend also featured an emotional night at St Helens as the club honoured long‑serving icons Mark Percival and Jonny Lomax. The Saints delivered a dominant 36‑12 victory over Hull KR, who finish the season in sixth place.
Percival was handed the captaincy for the first time, receiving a guard of honour as he walked onto the field. Both legends received heartfelt tributes before the match, marking a fitting end to their illustrious careers. St Helens started brightly, with Percival scoring the opening try and later assisting Lomax for the second. Lomax added another before half‑time, giving the Saints an 18‑0 lead.
Hull KR fought back through Bill Leyland and a dazzling solo try from 18‑year‑old debutant Flynn Holden, but the experience of Deon Cross, Jacob Host and Harry Robertson proved decisive, sealing a comprehensive win. ### Upcoming Schedule - **Friday 18 September – 8 pm (KO)**: Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards – Sky Sports - **Saturday 19 September – 5:30 pm (KO)**: Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR – Sky Sports - **Friday 25 September – 8 pm (KO)**: Semi‑Final 1 – Leeds Rhinos vs TBD – Sky Sports - **Saturday 26 September – 5:30 pm (KO)**: Semi‑Final 2 – Wigan Warriors vs TBD – Sky Sports The Super League play‑offs kick off on 18 September and will run through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October, promising a thrilling climax to the season.