The most exciting Super League season for a long time continues to be unpredictable as three shock results in round 25 have ensured that the top four and eight still have not been confirmed with just two rounds remaining.
Last Gasp Brough Denies Wolves
Thursday night saw a huge clash in the race for the top four as Huddersfield travelled across the Pennines to face Warrington with second place awaiting the winners.
A mixed start from both sides saw Warrington open the scoring in the 18th minute when Gareth O'Brien crossed for a try and with first-choice kicker Chris Bridge sidelined through injury, O'Brien stepped up to convert his own try for a 6-0 lead.
The Giants responded well and drew level inside five minutes as Chris Bailey crossed for a try which Danny Brough converted successfully before Huddersfield went in front in the 27th minute when Ukuma Ta'ai crossed for a try with Danny Brough duly converting for a 12-6 lead.
Huddersfield completed a trio of tries in the 31st minute when Shaun Lunt scored a try that Danny Brough converted for 18-6 and Brough added a drop goal just before the hooter for 19-6 lead at the interval.
Warrington's will to respond early in the second half failed to pay off as Jodie Broughton crossed for the visitors with Danny Brough failing to convert for the first time all evening as Huddersfield led 23-6 and were in total control.
However, Warrington staged a superb fightback with three tries in the space of ten minutes as the Huddersfield defence imploded to let in tries from Ryan Atkins and a double from Ben Harrison with Gareth O'Brien converting all three to put them in front at 24-23.
Warrington looked to have completed a stunning comeback but their joy was soured in the final seconds as Danny Brough scored his second drop goal of the game to secure a last-gasp point for the Giants at 24-24. An incorrect result and wide prediction of 30-24.
Saints Snatch Victory From Rhinos
Friday night's main game saw Challenge Cup winners Leeds host current table toppers St Helens with the visitors looking to go five points clear at the top.
The visitors went ahead in the fifth minute when Mark Percival successfully converted a penalty for 2-0 but Leeds responded just six minutes later as Kevin Sinfield converted a penalty for 2-2 in what would surely be a tight game.
Leeds' charge suffered a blow when Joel Moon was dismissed after a heavy tackle on Mark Percival with the Saints man leaving the field with concussion but despite being a man down, Leeds went ahead as Sinfield converted a second penalty for a 4-2 lead in the 28th minute.
The extra man seemed to be a hindrance for St Helens as Leeds extended their lead on the half-hour as Liam Sutcliffe crossed for a try which Kevin Sinfield duly converted for 10-2 before the Rhinos captain converted his third penalty of the evening just before half-time for 12-2 at the interval.
St Helens took until the 63rd minute to reduce the deficit as Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook crossed for their first try of the game with a failed conversion resulting in a 12-6 score that became 12-12 with ten minutes to go when James Roby crossed for a try that Tommy Makinson converted successfully.
The visitors completed a superb comeback by going in front with five minutes to go when Lance Hohaia kicked over a drop goal to seal a narrow 13-12 win. An incorrect result and wide prediction of 22-20.
Airlie Birds Secure Derby Nilling
Hull FC gained sweet revenge for their derby defeats to fierce rivals Hull KR with a 28-0 win that dented the Robins play-off hopes.
The hosts went ahead inside ten minutes as Fetuli Talanoa crossed for the opening try but a failed conversion meant a slim 4-0 lead that increased to 10-0 just nine minutes later when Setaimata Sa scored a try that Jordan Rankin converted successfully.
Jordan Rankin successfully converted a penalty just before half-time for a 12-0 lead that jumped to 22-0 before the hour mark after tries from Tom Lineham and Jordan Thompson with Jordan Rankin converting once from two attempts.
Hull KR's miserable night came to an end with Tom Lineham's second try of the evening which Jordan Rankin converted for a comfortable 28-0 victory that scores some bragging rights for the Airlie Birds after two defeats to their rivals earlier this season. An incorrect result and wide prediction of 18-26.
Valiant Vikings Punish Wasteful Warriors
Wigan's away woes in 2014 extended tonight as they fell to a 14 point defeat away to Widnes.
Thursday night saw a huge clash in the race for the top four as Huddersfield travelled across the Pennines to face Warrington with second place awaiting the winners.
A mixed start from both sides saw Warrington open the scoring in the 18th minute when Gareth O'Brien crossed for a try and with first-choice kicker Chris Bridge sidelined through injury, O'Brien stepped up to convert his own try for a 6-0 lead.
The Giants responded well and drew level inside five minutes as Chris Bailey crossed for a try which Danny Brough converted successfully before Huddersfield went in front in the 27th minute when Ukuma Ta'ai crossed for a try with Danny Brough duly converting for a 12-6 lead.
Huddersfield completed a trio of tries in the 31st minute when Shaun Lunt scored a try that Danny Brough converted for 18-6 and Brough added a drop goal just before the hooter for 19-6 lead at the interval.
Warrington's will to respond early in the second half failed to pay off as Jodie Broughton crossed for the visitors with Danny Brough failing to convert for the first time all evening as Huddersfield led 23-6 and were in total control.
However, Warrington staged a superb fightback with three tries in the space of ten minutes as the Huddersfield defence imploded to let in tries from Ryan Atkins and a double from Ben Harrison with Gareth O'Brien converting all three to put them in front at 24-23.
Warrington looked to have completed a stunning comeback but their joy was soured in the final seconds as Danny Brough scored his second drop goal of the game to secure a last-gasp point for the Giants at 24-24. An incorrect result and wide prediction of 30-24.
Saints Snatch Victory From RhinosFriday night's main game saw Challenge Cup winners Leeds host current table toppers St Helens with the visitors looking to go five points clear at the top.
The visitors went ahead in the fifth minute when Mark Percival successfully converted a penalty for 2-0 but Leeds responded just six minutes later as Kevin Sinfield converted a penalty for 2-2 in what would surely be a tight game.
Leeds' charge suffered a blow when Joel Moon was dismissed after a heavy tackle on Mark Percival with the Saints man leaving the field with concussion but despite being a man down, Leeds went ahead as Sinfield converted a second penalty for a 4-2 lead in the 28th minute.
The extra man seemed to be a hindrance for St Helens as Leeds extended their lead on the half-hour as Liam Sutcliffe crossed for a try which Kevin Sinfield duly converted for 10-2 before the Rhinos captain converted his third penalty of the evening just before half-time for 12-2 at the interval.
St Helens took until the 63rd minute to reduce the deficit as Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook crossed for their first try of the game with a failed conversion resulting in a 12-6 score that became 12-12 with ten minutes to go when James Roby crossed for a try that Tommy Makinson converted successfully.
The visitors completed a superb comeback by going in front with five minutes to go when Lance Hohaia kicked over a drop goal to seal a narrow 13-12 win. An incorrect result and wide prediction of 22-20.
Hull FC gained sweet revenge for their derby defeats to fierce rivals Hull KR with a 28-0 win that dented the Robins play-off hopes.
The hosts went ahead inside ten minutes as Fetuli Talanoa crossed for the opening try but a failed conversion meant a slim 4-0 lead that increased to 10-0 just nine minutes later when Setaimata Sa scored a try that Jordan Rankin converted successfully.
Jordan Rankin successfully converted a penalty just before half-time for a 12-0 lead that jumped to 22-0 before the hour mark after tries from Tom Lineham and Jordan Thompson with Jordan Rankin converting once from two attempts.
Hull KR's miserable night came to an end with Tom Lineham's second try of the evening which Jordan Rankin converted for a comfortable 28-0 victory that scores some bragging rights for the Airlie Birds after two defeats to their rivals earlier this season. An incorrect result and wide prediction of 18-26.
Valiant Vikings Punish Wasteful WarriorsWigan's away woes in 2014 extended tonight as they fell to a 14 point defeat away to Widnes.
The
Warriors included the fit again duo of Michael McIlorum and Iain
Thonrley as they looked to close the gap on table toppers St Helens.
A
mixed start from both sides saw Widnes open the scoring in the sixth
minute when a superb run from Patrick Ah Van saw him race clear down the
wing for a try in the corner with Danny Tickle converting for a 6-0
lead.
Wigan's 'penalty machine'
of 2014 lived up to his past as GIl Dudson conceded a penalty close to
his own line and Danny Tickle duly converted for 8-0.
Widnes
reached double figures inside 13 minutes as In great space on the wing,
Paddy Flynn crossed for an easy try and with Danny Tickle converting
for 14-0, Wigan needed the next score to stay in the game.
Wigan
looked to respond but just metres from the Widnes line, Dan Sarginson
lost the ball under a heavy tackle. Widnes blew a great chance at the
other end as an aerial pass to the wing flew through the grasp of
Patricl Ah Van with the try line in sight.
A
succession of penalties put Wigan in a good position and coupled with a
run from Sean O'Loughlin, a nice set ended with Dom Manfredi crossing
for a try but a tough angle saw Matty Smith unable to convert at 14-4.
The
try seemed to ignite the Warriors charge as they crossed again just
three minutes later as a pinpoint kick from Blake Green glided into the
arms of Josh Charnley who touched down for a fine try. However, the
score remained 14-10 as Matty Smith was unable to convert.
Wigan looked to have levelled just before half-time as Josh Charnley went over but was held up in goal so 14-10 at the interval.
However,
Wigan suffered a blow in only the third minute of the second half when
Patrick Ah Van controversially scored his second try as he did so after
shoving a Warriors defended out of the way. Danny Tickle converted and
Widnes led 20-10.
Wigan went down to 12 as a heavy tackle from Liam Farrell floored kicker Joe Mellor with the Wigan forward sent to the sin-bin.
Widnes
advanced and were awarded another penalty which Danny TIckle converted
for 22-10 and despite 30 minutes remaining, Wigan needed a 'Lazarus'
type of comeback to avoid defeat.
Another penalty for Widnes and another successful convaerion as the lead moved to 24-10.
Wigan
tried to respond but to no avail as they slipped to their fifth away
defeat of the season and will be glad to be at home for the final two
games as Leeds and Warrington visit the DW Stadium. An incorrect and wide prediction of 16-36.
Escaré Treble Defeats Broncos
After registering their first win of the season against Leeds a fortnight ago, London failed to make it back-to-back wins when they made the trip to Perpignan to face Catalan.
Catalan went ahead inside five minutes as Vincent Duport crossed for the opening try which Thomas Bosc converted successfully for 6-0 which soon became 10-0 when Morgan Escaré scored in the 13th minute but Thomas Bosc's failure to convert left the score at 10-0.
London fell further behind when Morgan Escaré crossed for his second score of the evening in the 21st minute with Thomas Bosc converting for 16-0 before Ben Pomeroy crossed for a try just before the half-hour mark which Thomas Bosc converted for a 22-0 lead.
London staged a superb fightback against Leeds but need a miracle to stem the Catalan charge after Daryl Millard crossed for a try in the 33rd minute that Thomas Bosc converted before Morgan Escaré completed his hat-trick and joined Tommy Makinson and Joel Monaghan on 24 tries for the season just before half-time with Thomas Bosc setting up a 34-0 lead.
London scored their first try of the game in the 55th minute when Kieran Dixon crossed for a try but Josh Drinkwater was unable to convert with the score at 34-4 but Catalan sealed the victory with two tries in four minutes from Zeb Taia and Daryl Millard who claimed his second try of the evening with Thomas Bosc converting both for a personal points tally of 14 in a 46-4 win. A correct result but wide prediction of 24-16.
Wakefield Thrash Red Devils
Wakefield kept up their hopes of sealing a place in the top eight with a comfortable win over Salford who after being tipped for success in 2014 will not feature in the end of the season play-offs.
The Wildcats raced into a 16-0 lead inside 22 minute with a trio of tries from Andy Raleigh, Danny Washbrook and Chris Riley with Paul Sykes converting twice from three attempts and the lead remained intact into the half-time interval.
Salford reduced the deficit eight minutes into the second half with a try from Harrison Hansen which Kevin Locke converted for 16-6 but Wakefield took control with three tries in the space of 13 minutes with Dean Collis, Ali Lauititi and Richard Owen crossing with Paul Sykes converting twice from three attempts to stretch the lead to 32-6.
Salford were unable to reduce the deficit and Wakefield advanced through the 40 point mark with two late tries from Pita Godinet and Richard Owen's second effort of the afternoon with Paul Sykes converting the former but not the latter as the Wildcats secured a 42-6 win. An incorrect result and wide prediction of 22-22.
Bulls Suffer Defeat Despite Gaskell Treble
Castleford bounced back from their Challenge Cup final defeat to keep up their hopes of claiming the League Leaders Shield with a win over Bradford.
The hosts went ahead inside five minutes with a try from Andy Lynch which Marc Sneyd converted successfully for 6-0 before James Clare crossed nine minutes later with Marc Sneyd duly converting for a 12-0 lead.
Luke Dorn crossed for the Tigers third effort of the afternoon on the half-hour mark with Marc Sneyd converting for 18-0 but Bradford responded with a try from Lee Gaskell in the 34th minute with Luke Gale converting for 18-6.
Michael Shenton crossed for the hosts right on half-time with Marc Sneyd converting to regain an 18 point lead at 24-6 into the interval but two tries in the first quarter of the second half from Lee Gaskell who completed his hat-trick gave the Bulls hope with Luke Gale converting both for 24-18.
However, Castleford ended the Bulls comeback in the 64th minute when Daryl Clark continued his fine scoring form in 2014 with a try that Marc Sneyd converted or 30-18 before Marc Sneyd put the gloss on the win with a minute to go with a penalty goal to secure a 32-18 victory.
Escaré Treble Defeats BroncosAfter registering their first win of the season against Leeds a fortnight ago, London failed to make it back-to-back wins when they made the trip to Perpignan to face Catalan.
Catalan went ahead inside five minutes as Vincent Duport crossed for the opening try which Thomas Bosc converted successfully for 6-0 which soon became 10-0 when Morgan Escaré scored in the 13th minute but Thomas Bosc's failure to convert left the score at 10-0.
London fell further behind when Morgan Escaré crossed for his second score of the evening in the 21st minute with Thomas Bosc converting for 16-0 before Ben Pomeroy crossed for a try just before the half-hour mark which Thomas Bosc converted for a 22-0 lead.
London staged a superb fightback against Leeds but need a miracle to stem the Catalan charge after Daryl Millard crossed for a try in the 33rd minute that Thomas Bosc converted before Morgan Escaré completed his hat-trick and joined Tommy Makinson and Joel Monaghan on 24 tries for the season just before half-time with Thomas Bosc setting up a 34-0 lead.
London scored their first try of the game in the 55th minute when Kieran Dixon crossed for a try but Josh Drinkwater was unable to convert with the score at 34-4 but Catalan sealed the victory with two tries in four minutes from Zeb Taia and Daryl Millard who claimed his second try of the evening with Thomas Bosc converting both for a personal points tally of 14 in a 46-4 win. A correct result but wide prediction of 24-16.
Wakefield Thrash Red DevilsWakefield kept up their hopes of sealing a place in the top eight with a comfortable win over Salford who after being tipped for success in 2014 will not feature in the end of the season play-offs.
The Wildcats raced into a 16-0 lead inside 22 minute with a trio of tries from Andy Raleigh, Danny Washbrook and Chris Riley with Paul Sykes converting twice from three attempts and the lead remained intact into the half-time interval.
Salford reduced the deficit eight minutes into the second half with a try from Harrison Hansen which Kevin Locke converted for 16-6 but Wakefield took control with three tries in the space of 13 minutes with Dean Collis, Ali Lauititi and Richard Owen crossing with Paul Sykes converting twice from three attempts to stretch the lead to 32-6.
Salford were unable to reduce the deficit and Wakefield advanced through the 40 point mark with two late tries from Pita Godinet and Richard Owen's second effort of the afternoon with Paul Sykes converting the former but not the latter as the Wildcats secured a 42-6 win. An incorrect result and wide prediction of 22-22.
Castleford bounced back from their Challenge Cup final defeat to keep up their hopes of claiming the League Leaders Shield with a win over Bradford.
The hosts went ahead inside five minutes with a try from Andy Lynch which Marc Sneyd converted successfully for 6-0 before James Clare crossed nine minutes later with Marc Sneyd duly converting for a 12-0 lead.
Luke Dorn crossed for the Tigers third effort of the afternoon on the half-hour mark with Marc Sneyd converting for 18-0 but Bradford responded with a try from Lee Gaskell in the 34th minute with Luke Gale converting for 18-6.
Michael Shenton crossed for the hosts right on half-time with Marc Sneyd converting to regain an 18 point lead at 24-6 into the interval but two tries in the first quarter of the second half from Lee Gaskell who completed his hat-trick gave the Bulls hope with Luke Gale converting both for 24-18.
However, Castleford ended the Bulls comeback in the 64th minute when Daryl Clark continued his fine scoring form in 2014 with a try that Marc Sneyd converted or 30-18 before Marc Sneyd put the gloss on the win with a minute to go with a penalty goal to secure a 32-18 victory.
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