Filed under: Rugby League
Michael Monaghan inspired Warrington to victory over Challenge Cup winners Wigan to ensure Tony Smith's side will top the league table going into next weekend's final round of matches.Hull Kingston Rovers and Castleford will face a final day shoot-out for the last remaining play-off place, after the Tigers dropped out of the top eight for the first time this season.
At the bottom, Wakefield and Crusaders are looking to avoid the wooden spoon while Leeds, Hull and Catalans are jostling for the places between fifth and seventh with one round of regular Super League action to go.
Leeds Rhinos 64 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 20
The basics: Leeds Rhinos avoided any Challenge Cup final hangover with a comprehensive demolition of Wakefield.
Winger Ryan Hall led the way with a well-taken hat trick while Danny McGuire bagged a brace as the Rhinos ran in 11 tries.
Wakefield battled gamely but were totally outgunned, though Motu Tony, Julien Rinaldi, Glenn Morrison and Paul Johnson earned praise from coach John Kear.
What it means: Leeds can still finish anywhere between fifth and seventh. Wakefield need a final day win over Bradford to avoid bottom spot.
They said it: "I was really pleased for the fellas. They were in a dark place last week and were really determined to do something special tonight. We ran and defended with determination and I thought we could have scored a few more points." - Leeds boss Brian McDermott.
"I thought Leeds were very good. There were some big performances from some of our lads but not enough of them. Credit to Leeds. They must have been emotionally and physically down after last week but they did very well." - Wakefield coach John Kear.
St Helens 31 Salford City Reds 6
The basics: St Helens overcame the sin binning of James Graham for dissent and a dogged Salford challenge to confirm third spot.
The home side needed a first half drop goal from Jonny Lomax to edge them 13-6 ahead at the break, but Royce Simmons' side were more clinical after the break and eased to victory.
In-form winger Danny Williams scored the Reds' only response before half-time.
What it means: Saints will now definitely finish third, while Salford face a battle with Bradford for tenth.
They said it: "We got through it and we got no injuries. The game was very stop-start but we did what we had to do. They (Salford) were pretty aggressive. They turned up to do a job for their new coach and came out pretty hard." - Saints coach Royce Simmons.
"I thought even though we got beaten by that score, our defence was pretty good. I don't think you can give any team the amount of ball that was given to them, some of it through our own efforts and some of it beyond our control." - Salford coach Matt Parish.
Catalan Dragons 28 Hull Kingston Rovers 30
The basics: Hull KR moved into the top eight with a superb victory in France despite the absence of suspended stand-off Blake Green.
Rovers, who had two more tries from the prolific Kris Welham, led 24-10 at the break after a superb first 40 minutes.
The Dragons stormed back after the break with centre Daryl Millard outstanding, but Rovers held on in a desperate finale.
What it means: Rovers' play-off fate remains in their own hands, and a draw at home to Castleford on Saturday will now be enough. Catalans can finish anywhere between fifth and seventh.
They said it: "It was tough out there tonight. I thought they were great and they came out with a lot of intensity and that semi-final attitude and they showed us how to play the game today." - Catalans coach Trent Robinson.
"It was a great game and exciting stuff out there, lots of tries and lots of mistakes from both teams. Conditions were tough out there, it was humid and muggy, but I thought we showed some great guts and determination, especially in that second half." - Rovers coach Justin Morgan.
Castleford Tigers 18 Hull FC 50
The basics: Hull FC booked their play-off place with a third consecutive heavy win, and condemned Castleford to a final day shoot-out at Hull KR.
Tom Briscoe, Willie Manu and Jordan Turner all scored try doubles as the Black and Whites made it 148 points from three games.
The Tigers were still in the game up until half-time, but defeat sees them slip out of the top eight for the first time this season.
What it means: Hull are now safely into the eight, and can still finish as high as fifth depending on other results. For Cas, it all comes down to one match at Hull Kingston Rovers.
They said it: "We're massively disappointed because we're better than that. The amount of players we've got out has been a factor at the back end of the season but we've got 17 players who can do better than that." - Castleford coach Terry Matterson.
"I think we've shown over the last few months when the pressure is on that the boys never lost belief in themselves. We had a really difficult start to the year but it's how you finish. It's a big tribute to the boys in that they believed in what we were doing and at the moment we're full of confidence." - Hull coach Richard Agar.
Bradford Bulls 48 Crusaders 24
The basics: Bradford finished a largely disappointing home campaign on a high as they swept aside the Welsh.
French international Oliver Elima got them on the front foot with an early try double and Aussie playmaker Brett Kearney also finished with a double.
Stuart Reardon scored two tries for Crusaders against his own club, in his side's penultimate Super League game.
What it means: Bradford can still climb to tenth on the final weekend of the season, while Crusaders will be keen to avoid the wooden spoon.
They said it: "We would obviously like to concede less points and the team scored five tries, which is not very good thing but it gives us something to work on. The positive thing for us is that we actually scored some points and scored some good tries, which I think was good for the fans." - Bradford boss Mick Potter.
"It's very, very difficult but we've got to focus, we've got six days left together as a group and after next Friday, they'll break up and everyone will go their separate ways. It's just about getting through this next week and we've got an easy game on Friday against Wigan away so it should be okay." - Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris.
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