Wakefield Trinity clinched a vital 19‑8 win over the Leigh Leopards in the final round of the Super League campaign, guaranteeing themselves a home replay in the play‑offs. The victory not only lifted the club to an unprecedented fourth‑place finish – the highest league position they have ever achieved – but also set up a fourth‑versus‑fifth Eliminator clash that will be staged in Yorkshire on Friday, 18 September, with Sky Sports providing live coverage. Under the guidance of head coach Daryl Powell, Wakefield have enjoyed a remarkable resurgence since their return to the top flight in 2025.
The club’s steady climb up the table this season reflects a blend of disciplined defence, inventive attacking play and a renewed belief among the squad. The win over Leigh was a perfect illustration of those qualities.
Early in the match, Tom Johnstone crossed for Leigh after a well‑executed kick, giving the visitors a 4‑0 lead. However, Wakefield responded swiftly; Jake Trueman slotted a try for his winger, and Max Jowitt added two penalty goals to push the score to 12‑0. Trueman then added a drop‑goal just before the half‑time break, extending the lead to 13‑0 and leaving Leigh’s supporters aware that the battle would be fought on Wakefield’s turf the following week.
Leigh attempted a comeback in the second half, with Owen Trout getting on the scoreboard and Innes Senior converting a brilliant edge finish to narrow the gap to 13‑8 after Mason Lino’s sin‑bin. Yet Wakefield held firm. With three minutes remaining, Cam Scott powered over in the corner and Jowitt’s conversion sealed a 19‑8 triumph. The result echoes the 2025 play‑off encounter where Leigh had the upper hand; a repeat would give Leigh their first victory over Trinity this season.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Powell praised his side’s resilience: "I thought the boys did us proud today. We had a sin‑bin but we stayed tough and courageous. We’ll dust ourselves down, learn from this and get ready for next week. Both teams know it’s play‑off time and we need to be ready.
We probably left a couple of points on the field because of some desperate defence from Leigh, but it’s all about the next week now. Leigh beat us last year in the play‑offs, we were stinging from that, and we carried that into this year. We’ve learned great lessons and we’re a better team for it. It’s an awesome opportunity for us.
Are we good enough? That’s for us to prove on the day." Meanwhile, a youthful Warrington Wolves side delivered a commanding 26‑14 victory over Toulouse Olympique, securing third place in the league. Coach Sam Burgess made a bold decision to rest the majority of his regular starters, introducing eleven changes and handing the younger players a chance to prove themselves. The gamble paid off, as the Wolves displayed a blend of speed and physicality that overwhelmed the French side.
Toulouse, who have impressed under Sylvain Houles since their 2026 Super League return, started brightly with a Paul Ulberg try, but an error allowed Aaron Lindop to equalise. Mathieu Pons added another try before half‑time, and despite a 8‑8 scoreline, neither side could convert any of the four first‑half tries. The second half saw Toulouse strike first through Romeo Tropis, but Warrington answered emphatically.
Max Wood powered over from close range, and Lindop capitalised on another defensive lapse to register his second try. Even after Charlie McKler was sin‑binned for a high shot, the Wolves’ grit never wavered; Josh Smith finished a Leon Hayes kick to extend the lead. Hayes himself converted three of the five tries, ensuring a comfortable margin.
The win sets up a quarter‑final meeting with Hull KR, who finished sixth after a 36‑12 loss to St Helens, with the match to be played at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday, 19 September. St Helens provided a poignant backdrop to the closing weeks of the season, bidding farewell to club legends Mark Percival and Jonny Lomax. The Saints honoured both players with a captaincy hand‑over for Percival and a guard of honour as they left the field. Despite the emotional atmosphere, St Helens delivered a decisive 36‑12 victory over Hull KR, cementing their dominance and reinforcing their status as League Leaders’ Shield winners.
Percival opened the scoring and later set up Lomax for the second try; Lomax added his own try just before the break, giving Saints an 18‑0 lead. Hull KR managed a late rally through Bill Leyland and a spectacular solo effort by 18‑year‑old debutant Flynn Holden, but the combined efforts of Deon Cross, Jacob Host and Harry Robertson ensured a comprehensive win. The play‑off schedule now looks as follows: - Friday 18 September: Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards, 8 pm, Sky Sports (Knock‑out) - Saturday 19 September: Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, 5:30 pm, Sky Sports (Knock‑out) - Friday 25 September: Semi‑Final 1 – Leeds Rhinos vs TBC, 8 pm, Sky Sports - Saturday 26 September: Semi‑Final 2 – Wigan Warriors vs TBC, 5:30 pm, Sky Sports - Sunday 3 October: Grand Final at Old Trafford. The winners of the two Eliminator matches will progress to the semi‑finals, where they will face either the League Leaders’ Shield champions Wigan Warriors or second‑placed Leeds Rhinos.
Success in those games will secure a coveted spot in the Grand Final at Old Trafford, where the season’s champion will be crowned. Overall, the closing stages of the 2026 Super League season have highlighted the depth of talent across the competition, the strategic acumen of coaches willing to take calculated risks, and the emotional narratives that make rugby league a compelling sport for fans worldwide.
Wakefield’s historic fourth‑place finish, Warrington’s youthful resurgence, and St Helens’ heartfelt tributes all contribute to a thrilling build‑up to the decisive matches that will determine who lifts the trophy at the end of October.