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Super League: Wakefield Trinity secure 25-18 victory over Warrington Wolves as battle for third spot rolls on

Wakefield Trinity still have an outside chance of finishing in third spot in Super League; Warrington Wolves need to win in Round 27 to clinch it; York Knights beat Catalans Dragons later on Saturday; Sky Sports will show every game of the Super League live this season

Isaiah Vagana went over twice to put Wakefield back on top
Image: Isaiah Vagana went over twice to put Wakefield back on top

Wakefield Trinity battled to a 25-18 victory over Warrington Wolves in the penultimate round of the Super League season at the DIY Kitchens Stadium.

The win for Daryl Powell's side means they are still in with an outside chance of finishing third because it moves them within two points of Warrington. The Wolves remain on 38 points and Wakefield are now on 36 in fourth spot.

Warrington, meanwhile, will need a win in Round 27 against Toulouse Olympique to wrap up third spot.

Warrington led 14-6 at half-time thanks to two Leon Hayes penalties and tries from Josh Smith and Matty Ashton, Hayes sending over the conversion for the second as the hooter went. Wakefield went over through Tom Johnstone and Max Jowitt added the extras.

Wakefield hit back in the second half as Isaiah Vagan found a double, Cam Scott went over and Mason Lino added a drop goal along with perfection off the tee from Max Jowitt.

That meant a solitary unconverted Albert Hopoate try was not enough for Warrington to hold on for the win.

An enthralling battle sees Wakefield come out on top

It was a battle between third and fourth and so attrition was expected to be the word of the day as these two teams tried to pick up a crucial two points in front of a packed-out stadium.

That back-and-forth completion ensued early on as both sides traded territory and possession with minimal interference until the 10th minute when Hayes slotted over a penalty to put the visitors 2-0 up.

Another penalty followed just three minutes later for a late hit off the ball and Hayes duly obliged with the boot again to move the Wolves 4-0 up.

Tom Johnstone was the first to cross the whitewash when the home outfit took the lead
Image: Tom Johnstone was the first to cross the whitewash when the home outfit took the lead

Once again, nothing could separate the two outfits until the 28th minute when Wakefield got a penalty, went through hands to the left, and Johnstone put the step on Josh Smith to go over. Jowitt converted to put Trinity 6-4 in front.

With just over five minutes remaining of the first 40, Warrington hit back. Some nice hands to the right, started by George Williams, saw Smith get one back on Johnstone for his earlier effort. Hayes could not convert from the touchline and so Warrington had a narrow 8-6 lead.

Burgess' side were not done there and with more territory, Williams put through an exceptional grubber which Ashton superbly jumped on in the corner. With that, and Hayes' conversion, Warrington led 14-6 at half-time.

It was a back-and-forth contest as both sides showed their physicality
Image: It was a back-and-forth contest as both sides showed their physicality

Wakefield made sure to come back out in the second half and immediately put the pressure on as Vagana went over twice in quick succession, powering through a hole from close range on both occasions, the second time following a huge break downfield from Hall then Johnstone. Jowitt added the extra four points available to move Wakefield 18-14 ahead.

Warrington were not dismayed by the fightback and at the first chance of real pressure went over in the corner once again, this time through Hopoate but as Hayes skewed the conversion attempt, scores were level with a quarter of the game remaining.

Isaiah Vagana proved the difference early in the second 40
Image: Isaiah Vagana proved the difference early in the second 40

The air was full of nerves from both sets of fans until the stadium erupted when Scott barrelled over off the back of a goal line dropout then set restart as Toby King was caught out, Jowitt continuing his perfection with the boot to put Trinity six points ahead with under 10 minutes remaining.

The Wolves chanced their arm but to no avail, and with mistakes costing them key opportunities, Lino sent over the drop goal that confirmed they had succumbed to their seventh loss of the season.

York Knights beat Catalans Dragons in mid-table clash

Later on Saturday, York Knights came from behind with a strong second-half display to beat Catalans Dragons 28-16 at Stade Gilbert Brutus.

The Dragons, who ended a four-match losing streak with a 34-6 win at Castleford last week, took an early lead in the fourth minute when Leo Darrelatour burst away down the right.

More patient build-up from the home side saw the ball worked out wide again for Darrelatour to touch down his second try in the 17th minute, with Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet this time slotting over the extras.

York responded when Oliver Field powered through in the 20th minute and maintained their momentum with another try as David Nofoaluma took a looping pass from Cody Hunter.

Darrelatour had Catalans back in front at 16-12 going into half-time after he broke away down the right just before the buzzer to run in his hat-trick try.

After the home side saw a try from Julian Bousquet ruled out by a video review, Liam Harris picked up a loose ball in the 52nd minute to sprint the best part of 80 metres before touching down and Hunter's conversion edged the Knights in front at 18-16.

The momentum was now firmly with the visitor, and Scott Galeano added a fourth try just after the hour to further extend York's lead following more slick cross-field passing.

York had Jesse Dee sent to the sin bin with seven minutes left for pulling back Aispuro-Bichet as the Frenchman chased his own kick through looking to touch down but they dug in to hold off a late Catalans push and Paul Vaughan scored another try to wrap up a hard-earned win.

Sky Sports will show every game of the Super League live this season, including two matches each round exclusively live. The remaining five matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports+.

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