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Round 25 Round Up

8 Sep 2024

Round 25 Round Up

Wigan Warriors took one step closer to defending the League Leaders’ Shield in Round 25, with a scintillating 24-20 home win over Hull KR. 

It was a true battle of the best at The Brick Community Stadium on Friday night, as the Warriors regained top spot. The much anticipated top-two clash more than lived up to expectation, with the Cherry and Whites trailing for over an hour before a Liam Marshall double secured an enthralling victory in front of a 16,000+ bumper crowd. 

Tries from Robins’ Matt Parcell and Mikey Lewis saw the Robins open up a 10-point lead in the first half, but Abbas Miski and Junior Nsemba hit back for Wigan.

Lewis’ penalty goals either side of half-time edged the visitors further in front, before Willie Peters’ men went the full distance to extend their lead to 12 points. 

It was Peta Hiku who would come up with an excellent read to intercept the ball and race the length of the field, with teammate Joe Burgess in support to cross. 

The Robins looked to be well in control, but trademark brilliance and beauty from Bevan French would inspire a late Warriors comeback - the fullback with an instinctive play while his team were on the back foot - collecting his own perfectly timed kick to dive under the posts. 

This would bring the game back into the balance, and two yellow cards proved costly for KR, as Marshall proceeded to score a brace in less than ten minutes. 

Wigan saw the game out with the tightest of defences to take the win, and despite a huge effort from the away side, the home side were just that little bit stronger. 

The Warriors now have a two point advantage with just two games remaining…

Elsewhere on Friday night, Leigh Leopards and Leeds Rhinos kept their Play-Off dreams alive in Round 25, with huge wins over in Yorkshire. 

The Leopards travelled to face Castleford Tigers, and came away with a confident 12-34 win. 

Kai O’Donnell opened the scores for Leigh on the sixth minute as he burst past the Tigers’ defenders. Josh Charnley then extended the lead less than ten minutes later and added to his impressive try scoring tally.

Castleford did hit back through Corey Hall, but minutes before half-time Tom Amone gave Leigh an 18-6 advantage.

The second half was very Leopards heavy, as three more tries from Gareth O'Brien, Amone and Ricky Leutele made it five wins on the spin.

Then, the Rhinos recorded their biggest win of the season over Hull FC as Brad Arthur's men ran ten tries against the Black and Whites in a convincing 68-8 result at AMT Headingley.

In a polar opposite result to the one a week earlier, where Brodie Croft helped the Rhinos escape with the two league points against London, the hosts side were clinical for the full 80 minutes as young Alfie Edgell's four tries led the scoring.

Saturday saw two massive clashes in the race for the Play-Offs. First, Warrington Wolves entertained St Helens at home, and completed a Super League double over their opponents in 2024.

Terrific tries from Matty Ashton and Jordy Crowther gave the Wolves the advantage at the break, with Saints' only points coming from Jon Bennison’s early penalty goal.

There were to be no further tries in the second half, but two Josh Thewlis penalty goals helped boost the hosts' lead, as a brutal battle unfolded (16-2).

Salford Red Devils were then at home to Catalans Dragons in a physical affair. 

The first try would come from the Red Devils' Jayden Nikorima against his former side, but the Dragons rallied to make it 6-6 when a quick ball led to Mourgue going over.

Joe Mellor went in from close-range to edge the hosts in front at the interval, and the class within the Red Devils' outfit was there to be seen in the second half, as Tim Lafai and Deon Cross touched down for a third and fourth score.

Marc Sneyd, who was brilliant with the boot on Saturday evening, then ensured victory by slotting a drop-goal to take the scores to 27-12.

Round 25 eventually concluded with Huddersfield Giants v London Broncos on Sunday, where a Tui Lolohea brace inspired the Giants to victory.

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