Trinity end losing run by beating Saints
SUPER LEAGUE leaders St Helens suffered only a second defeat of the season as Wakefield halted their own five-match losing run in a nail-biting contest at Belle Vue.
England centre Mark Percival scored two tries, taking his tally for the season to 12, as Saints fought back from 22-6 down to close to within two points but they could not maintain their composure in a dramatic finish as Wakefield clung on for a 24-20 victory, their first at home to St Helens for six years.
Both sides finished the game with 12 men after Percival and Wakefield hooker Tyler Randell were sin-binned but, after losing their last three matches by a combined total of eight points, Trinity coach Chris Chester will be thrilled by the way they held their nerve.
Castleford underlined the size of the task facing Steve McNamara as they hammered his Catalans Dragons side 41-0 to move into the top four.
After letting a 21-0 lead slip against Wigan last week, Catalans appeared devoid of confidence and were duly put to the sword as Luke Gale inspired Castleford. The scrum-half laid on all three first-half tries with smart kicks and finished the afternoon with 13 points from the tee.
Paul McShane and Oliver Holmes both crossed twice for the Tigers while Michael Shenton, James Clare and Joe Wardle each scored once in a record Super League win over the rock-bottom Dragons. St Helens ............................................... Wigan ....................................................... Warrington ........................................... Castleford ................................................. Leeds ........................................................ Hull ............................................................ Wakefield ............................................... Salford ..................................................... Widnes .................................................... Hull KR ..................................................... HUDDERSFIELD ................................... Catalans Dragons ............................ Toronto Wolfpack ............................. Featherstone ....................................... Toulouse ................................................ London Broncos ............................... Leigh ......................................................... Halifax ........................................................ Batley .......................................................... Dewsbury ................................................. Barrow ..................................................... Sheffield ................................................. Rochdale ................................................... Swinton ...................................................