Filed under: Rugby League
Gareth Hock returned to action after his two-year drugs ban, but it was Sam Tomkins that stole the show in one of the best individual performances of the season as Wigan brushed aside Huddersfield. In the other all top-four clash, a late Lee Briers drop goal sealed a classic contest with St Helens on Friday night.Crusaders 18 Salford City Reds 22
The basics: Adam Sidlow's dramatic late try condemned Crusaders to a second successive heart-breaking defeat. Tries from Tony Martin, Ben Flower and Jordan James had helped Super League's bottom side into an 18-16 lead going into the closing stages. But with efforts from Wayne Godwin, Luke Adamson and Stefan Ratchford keeping the Reds in the game, then they snatched the two points when prop Sidlow touched down.
What it means: The Reds' play-off chase remains alive, and they are still three points behind eighth-placed Hull. Crusaders continue to show promising sign despite being rooted to the bottom.
They said it: "They (Salford) just clung in there again and it is desperately disappointing to lose the way we did - again - in the last minutes. I would say it is deja vu from the week before but the pleasing thing is that we are being a very tough side to play against." - Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris.
"It was a very ugly game. The conditions didn't help us and it was an arm wrestle. We just had the belief we could grind it out." - Salford coach Phil Veivers.
Leeds Rhinos 12 Bradford Bulls 18
The basics: Bradford won at Headingley for the first time since June 2007 as Patrick Ah Van booted them to victory. The Rhinos had led 12-10 at the break after Kevin Sinfield converted Ryan Hall and Jamie Jones-Buchanan tries. But Ah Van then slotted four second half penalties and the visitors' defence held firm to clinch victory.
What it means: The Bulls bounced straight back from what appeared a damaging home defeat to Hull last week. Leeds' inconsistency continues, and they and coach Brian McDermott now face a massive three week period.
They said it: "I thought we got too emotional at times but the effort was there. It was a dour game of rugby league, won by the team who handled the conditions better." - Leeds coach McDermott.
"I've been pleased with the way the guys hang in and look after one another and work for one another. But tonight there was just that little bit extra in them and we want to get that out of them every week." - Bulls boss Mick Potter.
Warrington Wolves 35 St Helens 28
The basics: One of the matches of the season was eventually sealed by Lee Briers' late drop goal to keep Warrington at the top. The Wolves led 18-0 early on, but trailed 18-22 at half-time after the visitors roared back into a thrilling contest. Warrington then provided a second purple patch of the game with three tries in 10 second half minutes, but still needed Briers' late one-pointer to make sure.
What it means: The Wolves stay top of Super League, but Wigan remain in hot pursuit. Saints might have to settle for a place outside the top two now.
They said it: "The game was full of ebbs and flows, twists and turns, as it always is when Saints and Warrington play each other. I'm pleased with the performance. We get a lot more satisfaction from one of those games than from the blow-out scores you get against some teams." - Warrington coach Tony Smith.
"It was a pretty good effort under the circumstances. They had to play some good footy to score tries. If we play like we did tonight and we get those 50-50 calls, we win matches." - Saints coach Royce Simmons.
Catalan Dragons 54 Castleford Tigers 20
The basics: Catalan Dragons crossed for 10 tries to keep alive their hopes of breaking into the top four. Lopini Paea and Frederic Vaccari both bagged try doubles in an impressive display from the French. Castleford disappointed for long periods of the game despite Richie Owen crossing for two tries of his own.
What it means: The Dragons move level on points with four-placed St Helens with eight games to play. The Tigers remain in the top eight too, but have struggled to find their early season consistency of late.
They said it: "It's nice to do that to a team. We haven't done that to a team so far this year, except for maybe Wigan, but there is a satisfaction there that we did that at home too." - Catalans coach Trent Robinson.
"The result is what it is, but I'm more disappointed in the way we performed. They had a big bench tonight and I thought if we held the ball better than we did then we could have used that to our advantage but we've struggled in the heat more than them tonight." - Castleford coach Terry Matterson.
Harlequins 0 Hull Kingston Rovers 34
The basics: Hull KR eased the pressure on coach Justin Morgan by brushing Quins aside after a tight first half. Morgan's position has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks and there was speculation he could be sacked after the defeat to Warrington. But the Robins kept their slim play-off hopes alive with centre Jake Webster bagging two tries against the scoreless Londoners.
What it means: Hull KR can still make the top eight but can afford precious few defeats between now and the end of the campaign. Quins look out of the race now after failing to back up their recent win over Wakefield.
They said it: "I thought Rovers had that little bit more leadership that proved the difference. It was a good game in the first half and it was still in the balance. The try near half-time really hurt us and we have to show more resiliency in those situations going forward." Quins coach Rob Powell.
"Hopefully this result can be a real catalyst for us. I would like to think we still have a chance of making a run at the play-offs. There is a lot of rugby still to be played and every game from now on is a big game for us." - Rovers coach Justin Morgan.
Wigan Warriors 46 Huddersfield Giants 12
The basics: Gareth Hock returned to action after two years out due to a drugs ban - but it was his Warriors team mate Sam Tomkins that undoubtedly stole the show with a dazzling hat-trick. Tomkins scored two tries and set up another for George Carmont to make it 28-6 at the break. And the Giants never troubled their fellow top four opponents, with Tomkins bringing the house down by completing his hat-trick late on.
What it means: Wigan still have leaders Warrington firmly in their sights with a game in hand on the Wolves. This was some way below par for the Giants, who will look to recover quickly.
They said it: "It's been a good couple of weeks for us. There was a good crowd and we wanted to put on a good performance for them. To back up from last week was very pleasing. They're a quality team and we knew we had to be up for them." - Wigan coach Michael Maguire.
"We were well beaten in every facet of the game. We can't offer any excuse. We've been getting away with parts of our game now for six to eight weeks and today we played a very good side who are very well coached." - Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 18 Hull FC 52
The basics: Hull FC re-established a three-point gap between themselves and the play-off chasing pack after Kirk Yeaman suffered an epileptic fit at half-time. Yeaman had scored his 18th try of the season in the first half as the visitors recovered from an early 12-0 deficit following tries to Gareth Moore and Kyle Amor. Hull then took control after the break, with a Richard Whiting double among their six second-half tries.
What it means: Hull remain on track for a top eight finish but will be wary of the likes of Salford and Bradford behind them. Wakefield disappointed for a second straight week after losing at Harlequins.
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