Filed under: Rugby League
Play-off chasing Castleford and Hull KR both recorded dramatic wins, meaning that the race for the top eight could go down to the final game of the season. Dean Widders' late try won it for the Tigers at Wakefield, while Rovers stunned high-flying Saints, and Hull's win over Crusaders ended Salford's hopes.Further up the table Leeds, Huddersfield, Catalans and Saints all lost, while Wigan and Warrington continue to jostle for top spot. And there were remarkable scenes in Wrexham, where both sets of supporters applauded each other at the end of Crusaders' final home game against Hull FC.
Salford City Reds 24 Huddersfield Giants 18
The basics: Winger Danny Williams grabbed a sparkling hat trick as Salford dented the Giants' top four hopes.
Williams made it five tries in two games, as the Reds recorded a first win under Aussie coach Matt Parish.
Tries from David Fa'alogo, Jermaine McGillvary and Lee Gilmour had given Huddersfield an 18-12 interval lead, but they struggled to break down Salford after the break.
What it means: Salford briefly extended their top eight hopes before Hull's win over Crusaders ended them on Sunday. Huddersfield were at least helped by losses to Catalans and St Helens as they bid for the top four.
They said it: "The boys responded and played well, although we made hard work of it at times. There was a lot more passion and commitment and it was the best performance in my four matches." - Parish.
"They dominated in the second half on the back of a good kicking game whilst ours was horrendous and unacceptable at this level. We were comfortably on top at half-time and the end result was disappointing." - Giants coach Nathan Brown.
Wigan Warriors 60 Bradford Bulls 12
The basics: Super League top try scorer Sam Tomkins continued his incredible season with another double as the champions swept Bradford aside.
Pat Richards also raced in for a hat trick as Wigan warmed up for their Challenge Cup final against Leeds in fine style.
The Bulls competed early on, with youngster John Bateman among their try scorers, but were no match for the Warriors after the break.
What it means: Wigan's superb recent run continued and they will be strong favourites at Wembley against the Rhinos. For Bradford, the end of the season can't come quick enough.
They said it: "The players wanted to make sure they nailed this game going into next week. It was a real good performance. Everyone is working for each other and doing all the little things well, which is a real pleasing thing for us." - Wigan coach Michael Maguire.
"I thought the guys tried but we just didn't get the ball in the second half. I've got to say they sit at the top of the table for a reason. They're a complete footy team." - Bradford boss Mick Potter.
Harlequins 32 Leeds Rhinos 22
The basics: Harlequins sent Leeds to Wembley on the back of a comprehensive defeat thanks to Luke Dorn's excellent hat trick.
Quins had won just once in 19 previous matches, but swept the Rhinos aside before second half tries to Ryan Hall, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow and Jay Pitts gave the scoreline a flattering look.
The home side led 26-0 at one point, with Jamie O'Callaghan and Mark Calderwood also crossing.
What it means: Quins gave themselves a chance of finishing a difficult season on a high. The Rhinos will have to regroup quickly before facing Wigan at Wembley, and are now looking over their shoulders in the league as well, with Castleford and Hull closing in.
They said it: "We played well both with the ball in hand and without it - it was just one of those pleasing days where everything seemed to go for us. Leeds weren't at their best and we capitalised. I think saying they had one eye on Wembley would be disrespectful to us and Wigan certainly didn't show that last night." - Quins coach Rob Powell.
"Wembley was not a distraction - far from it. We've been using it as part of our preparation. The last thing we would want to do is go into our most important game of the year with a poor performance." - Rhinos boss Brian McDermott.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 30 Castleford 34
The basics: Dean Widders' late try sealed what could be a crucial Castleford win in an exciting Yorkshire derby.
The Wildcats had led 24-22 after an attack-dominated first half, and led again 30-28 when Dale Morton slotted a late penalty.
But substitute Widders then came up with the match-winning try to keep the Tigers' noses in from of the two chasing Hull clubs with two matches remaining.
What it means: Given Hull FC and Hull KR's Sunday wins, this was a massive two points for the Tigers, who face the Robins on the last day of the season. Wakefield's play-off challenge ended a long time ago, but they restored some much-needed pride here.
They said it: "It's heartbreaking when we've done it tough. We've had four wallopings - three of them against Warrington, Saints and Wigan - and to get a response like that I was very proud of the players." - Wakefield coach John Kear.
"We're not there yet. Our points for and against could hurt us yet. If we play like that in the semi-finals then we're just going to make up the numbers." - Castleford coach Terry Matterson.
Catalan Dragons 12 Warrington Wolves 25
The basics: Warrington Wolves set up a top-spot showdown with Wigan in a fortnight as Chris Bridge inspired an accomplished with in the south of France.
Bridge finished with 16 points from two tries and four goals, while Lee Briers also crossed the line on his return from injury.
Tries from Steve Menzies and Damien Blanch saw Catalans lead 12-6 at half-time, but the Wolves were too strong after the break.
What it means: The Wolves' next game is against leaders Wigan, and looks set to decide who finishes in top spot. Catalans can still make the top four despite this setback, and face Hull KR next.
They said it: "I thought we worked really hard, but we got a lesson today on marker plays and scraps, those are things they work really hard on and on the small things we didn't do those. We did some really big things well, I thought we looked after (Joel and Michael) Monaghan, Briers and (Richie) Myler but they were too strong for us in pretty much all areas." - Catalan coach Trent Robinson.
"It was a tough win and a game that could have gone either way. Both teams had their chances, but on the whole I thought it was a good game of rugby league. It took some character from us to come back, get ourselves into and keep ourselves in the game." - Warrington coach Tony Smith.
Crusaders 18 Hull FC 58
The basics: Hull took another giant step towards securing a play-off face and continued their recent good form in Crusaders' last home Super League match.
The Black and Whites raced into a 32-0 interval lead and Australians Craig Fitzgibbon and Sam Obst both finished with try doubles.
Crusaders at least restored some late pride with tries to Tony Martin, Peter Lupton and Vince Mellars, and the game finished with both sets of supporters singing the home club's song.
What it means: Crusaders now have just two games left in the top flight after their owners withdrew the club's Super League licence application. Hull remain one point ahead of rivals Hull KR, but have now closed in on sixth placed Leeds with two games to go.
They said it: "I thought there was a lot of commitment from them against a pretty good side. The result was hefty but the commitment was good and they didn't give in which was a credit to them as a group." - Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris.
"We feel we have been in reasonable form and even in some of the games we have lost, where we have played very good sides, we don't feel there was too much wrong with our performances. We have two big games coming up but the boys are in good spirits which is good for me. They are certainly not looking over their shoulders, they are looking at what is in front of them." - Hull coach Richard Agar.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/08/22/super-league-round-up-tomkins-super-season-continues-but-warri/
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