Stevie Ward scored a hat-trick as Leeds responded to their Challenge Cup semi-final exit against Hull by beating Wigan 32-16 in the Super League Super 8s. Friday’s game was tied at 10-10 at half-time but Leeds then took charge to move within eight points of leaders Castleford.
Ward opened the scoring in the first half and grabbed two more tries in the final quarter. Fellow academy product Ashton Golding weighed in with a brace as Brian McDermott’s second-placed side increased the likelihood of Wigan missing out on a top-four finish.
The home side went 10-0 ahead after tries from Ward and Golding but Tom Davies used his pace to cross twice for the Warriors.
Matt Parcell joined in Leeds’ second-half scoring spree before Tomkins claimed a late try for Wigan.
Third-placed Hull FC beating Salford Red Devils 32-18 at the KCOM Stadium with the help of two tries from Carlos Tuimavave.
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New Zealand winger Manu Vatuvei’s first try for Salford gave them an early lead before Albert Kelly and Tuimavave crossed for Hull.
Salford responded with tries from Niall Evalds and Robert Lui, and the sides turned round at 14-14.
Second-half tries from Fetuli Talanoa, Jake Connor and Tuimavave gave the home side plenty of breathing space before a late score from Vatuvei.
Danny Brough scored 16 points for Huddersfield Giants in their 36-6 victory against Wakefield Trinity. Brough, a former Wakefield player, notched the opening try and kicked six goals.
Trinity’s head coach, Chris Chester, criticised his players, saying: “I have seen some things on a rugby field I have not seen for long, long time. I can cop getting beaten by a better side, but I can’t cop getting beaten on desire and effort.”
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He added: “We are in a bit of a hole and I can’t put my finger on it. I wouldn’t expect my under-16s or 19s teams to make some of those kinds of errors out there. We are killing ourselves. There are a few blokes out on that field who won’t be playing next week.”
In the Qualifiers, Warrington won 28-14 at Widnes. The home side were 12-6 up at the interval but the Wolves responded with second-half tries from Tom Lineham, Declan Patton, Matty Russell and Peta Hiku.