Super League & Qualifiers round-up: Manfredi stars on return, Leeds win in controversial fashion, Toronto edge Toulouse
There were a number of close games in the Super 8s and The Qualifiers on the weekend.
Dom Manfredi scored two tries to help Wigan Warriors ease past Warrington Wolves 26-6 at the DW Stadium and clinch their sixth win on the bounce. It was a perfect return to action for Manfredi, who played his first game in over two years.
Castleford Tigers had a convincing 44-12 win over Huddersfield Giants at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle on Thursday night. Junior Moors scored two tries for the Tigers, while Paul McShane kicked six goals.
St Helens finally clinched the League Leaders’ Shield with a commanding 38-12 victory over Hull FC at the Totally Wicked Stadium. England international Mark Percival and Wales star Regan Grace both bagged braces for Saints. Jake Connor made a return to action for the Black and Whites.
A hat-trick from Tom Johnstone helped Wakefield Trinity dispatch Catalans Dragons 34-22 at the Mobile Rocket Stadium on Friday. Matty Ashurst, Ryan Hampshire, Tyler Randell and Reece Lyne all crossed the whitewash for Trinity.
In The Qualifiers, James Greenwood scored twice to guide Hull Kingston Rovers to a 30-18 win over London Broncos at the KCOM Craven Park. London were only 20-18 behind at one point but late tries from Greenwood and USA star Junior Vaivai pulled KR clear.
A controversial penalty goal from Liam Sutcliffe sealed an 18-16 win for Leeds Rhinos against Salford Red Devils at Emerald Headingley. Richie Myler won the penalty for the Rhinos but he received a lot of stick for the way he went down in a tackle.
A Gareth O’Brien drop-goal snatched a 13-12 victory for Toronto Wolfpack against Toulouse Olympique at the Lamport Stadium. Mason Caton-Brown scored one of Toronto’s tries, but replays suggest that the try should not have been given because he didn’t ground the ball properly.
Krisnan Inu put in a man of the match display on Sunday to help Widnes Vikings claim their first win in 18 matches with a 26-12 win over Halifax at the Halton Stadium. Inu scored two tries and so did Patrick Ah Van.
Super 8s round five results:
Castleford Tigers 44-12 Huddersfield Giants (7,279)
St Helens 38-12 Hull FC (9,348)
Wakefield Trinity 34-22 Catalans Dragons (4,030)
Wigan Warriors 26-6 Warrington Wolves (12,372)
The Qualifiers round five results:
Hull Kingston Rovers 30-18 London Broncos (7,210)
Leeds Rhinos 18-16 Salford Red Devils (11,202)
Toronto Wolfpack 13-12 Toulouse Olympique (7,923)
Widnes Vikings 26-12 Halifax (3,372)