Leeds Rhinos endured a sixth defeat in eight league games this season, with Craig Hall’s late try for Wakefield consigning Brian McDermott’s side to another loss as the Super League champions remain in the bottom four of the competition.
Leeds trailed on several occasions but after levelling the game at 16-16 they spurned a glorious chance for a home victory when Liam Sutcliffe’s penalty attempt went wide. From there, the Rhinos again threatened to go into the lead but, after a loose pass went to ground, Hall collected and raced the length of the field to ensure a 20-16 Wakefield win – a second in succession for their new coach, Chris Chester.
Warrington remain at the top of the league despite their unbeaten start to 2016 coming to an end against Hull FC, who stay in the top four following the 26‑24 win at the KC Stadium.
The Wolves led 20-10 at the break but from that point the lead changed hands several times and, despite holding the lead late on through Kevin Penny’s try, a second for the Hull winger Curtis Naughton secured a second successive Easter holiday victory for Lee Radford’s side following the derby victory against Hull Kingston Rovers on Good Friday.
Huddersfield are still at the bottom of the Super League table following yet another defeat, this time a 26-24 loss at home against Salford Red Devils, with fans involved in ugly scenes at the end.
The Giants have won just one of their first eight games in 2016 and at such an early stage of the season are already eight points adrift of the top four. Tries from Craig Kopczak, Gareth O’Brien, Josh Griffin, Justin Carney and Niall Evalds ensured another two points for Salford, who sit mid-table on seven points after the win, their third of the season.
Wigan survived a scare against Hull KR as a Josh Charnley hat-trick helped them move level on points with Warrington at the top of the table. The Warriors were trailing 16-14 midway through the second half but tries from Charnley and fellow winger Dominic Manfredi helped secure victory for Shaun Wane’s side.
Catalans Dragons dispatched Castleford in Perpignan, as Morgan Escare and Todd Carney each scored two tries in the home side’s 41-22 win.
