Leeds Rhinos maintained their lead at the top of the Super League with a convincing 36-16 victory over Hull KR at Headingley last Friday. St Helens kept on their coattails with a hard-fought success away at Hull FC, as their victory hoisted them above Wigan Warriors into second place in the table. Wigan lost heavily in France 58-16, as the Catalans Dragons improved their chances of a top-four finish this season. Elsewhere, victories for both Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves kept them just above Catalans in 4th and 5th places, respectively.
Leeds Rhinos 36 - 16 Hull HR
The Rhinos built on their comprehensive victory in the Challenge Cup sixth round to end a sequence of three league games without a win as a consequence. A close first-half saw them hold a narrow two point advantage over their opponents, before 18 unanswered second-half points moved them well clear by the end.
Captain Kevin Sinfield retained his place in the side and was a key contributor with a try and six goals in the match. Winger Ryan Hall continued his cup form with a brace of tries, as the home side outscored Hull by six tries to four. Kieran Dixon matched Hall's feat with two tries for the visitors.
Hull FC 10 - 17 St Helens
St Helens edged a tight tussle at the KC Stadium to continue their pursuit of Leeds at the top.
They led 8-6 at the break, thanks to a try by Shannon McDonnell and two penalties from Tommy Makinson and Lewis Charnock. In reply, Leon Pryce's try was converted by Marc Sneyd for Hull.
After Charnock had added a further penalty after the break, the hosts drew level through Jordan Abdull's unconverted score. Saints rallied to go back in front when Makinson went over for a try, which Charnock converted to put them six points clear.
Jordan Turner's drop goal ensured there would be no way back for Hull.
Best of the rest
Wigan Warriors were well beaten by Catalans on Saturday. Their 58-16 thrashing included hat-tricks for both Tony Gigot and Zeb Taia, with Fouad Yaha also scoring twice.
Huddersfield Giants survived a second-half fightback by local neighbours Castleford Tigers in their 24-16 away success.
They had looked comfortable at 18-4 ahead at the break, including a try for Ukuma Ta'ai. But the Tigers stormed back, Michael Shenton's try narrowing their deficit to just 18-16. A controversial try late on by Eorl Crabtree swung the game the way of the Giants though.
Warrington Wolves maintained their pressure on the Giants, beating Salford 34-18 at the AJ Bell Stadium. Man of the match was Gene Ormsby with three near identical tries in the corner, although his third required a spectacular acrobatic finish as he touched the ball down while in mid-air.
