Super League review: Wins for Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos, Hull KR and Bradford Bulls; Hull, Wakefield and Castleford beaten

Here’s a rundown of results and reports from the Bank Holiday Monday fixtures in Super League.

Huddersfield 22 Hull 4

Huddersfield ran in three tries in the last 20 minutes to secure a hard-fought victory over their nearest rivals and open up a two-point lead at the top of Stobart Super League.

Hull looked set to extend their six-match winning run and take over at the top when they led 4-2 after a scoreless hour of an error-strewn game at the Galpharm Stadium.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the Giants, who always looked the livelier side, finally got on top in the final quarter, running in tries through Eorl Crabtree, Luke Robinson and Joe Wardle, with chief architect Danny Brough kicking five goals.

The final score was harsh on Hull but they will have a chance to quickly gain their revenge when the sides meet again in the Challenge Cup at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

It is to be hoped that contest is of a higher standard for both teams looked jaded playing their second Super League games in four days.

Leeds 52 London Broncos 10

Winger Ryan Hall raced in for four tries but Leeds’ 10-try blitz was inspired by man of the match Carl Ablett who gave a classic performance at centre.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ablett spent a month on loan with the Broncos in 2005 but he was in no mood to dish out favours to his former club.

Both sides were in urgent need of a win, the Rhinos having suffered three successive defeats while the Broncos were seeking a first victory on their travels.

Wigan Warriors 36 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 6

Wigan Warriors cruised to their second win in four days with victory over the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the driving rain at the DW Stadium.

Wigan backed up from their impressive 28-10 win over fierce rivals St Helens with a seven try demolition over the Wildcats - who crashed to their third consecutive defeat.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thomas Leuluai, Anthony Gelling and Darrell Goulding all crossed in the first half with Josh Charnley adding over a conversion and a penalty for a 16-0 advantage.

In the second half Wigan ran in four tries with George Carmont (2), Charnley and Goulding all crossing, with Wakefield’s only response coming from Kyle Wood.

Leuluai, Sam Tomkins and skipper Brett Finch ran the show for the Warriors, while the likes of Epalahame Lauaki and Gil Dudson ran hard all afternoon.

Widnes Vikings 4 Bradford Bulls 38

Cash-strapped Bradford Bulls put their off-field problems to one side as they recorded their second win of the Easter period with victory over the Widnes Vikings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Bulls followed up their 12-4 Good Friday derby defeat of Leeds Rhinos at Odsal with another impressive display at the Stobart Stadium despite the club’s off-field financial crisis.

Centre Michael Platt grabbed two tries for the Bulls, while Adrian Purtell, Ben Jeffries, Manase Manuokafoa, Keith Lulia and Craig Kopczak also crossed in a convincing win for Mick Potter’s side.

It was a disappointing display from the home side who showed glimpses in Thursday’s defeat at Warrington that they could cause sides problems but they just had a Rhys Hanbury try to show for their efforts today.

Castleford 12 St Helens 18

St Helens battled to victory over Castleford Tigers at the PROBIZ Coliseum, but their success came at a cost as Tony Puletua and Ade Gardner were forced off with serious-looking injuries.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tries from Gardner, Sia Soliola, Michael Shenton and Francis Meli proved just about enough to overcome a spirited home side, who scored twice through Brett Ferres and made light of the absence of six first teamers with a courageous display.

Saints have now won three out of four under the caretaker stewardship of Mike Rush and Keiron Cunningham, yet they will wait anxiously on news of Puletua, who made an early exit holding his left arm, and Gardner.

The latter was clearly in pain as he left the field on a stretcher at the beginning of the second half, having come off worse after contesting a high ball with Josh Griffin.

Today’s result ended Castleford’s two match winning run, but, with so many players unavailable, coach Ian Millward will surely be proud of their performance against one of his former clubs.

Salford 10 Hull KR 18

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hull KR boss Craig Sandercock saluted two-try prop Scott Taylor after his side’s 18-10 victory at Salford.

The Reds led 10-6 until Taylor blasted through poor defence twice in six minutes to seal the win, making up for a disappointing derby show against Hull on Good Friday.

Sandercock said: “It was a badly needed victory and every win is like gold because we are not in the top eight.”

For the full match reports and reaction read Tuesday’s Yorkshire Post.