Round 20 of Super League looks to be one that could have huge effects on the final playoff picture with Warrington Wolves ceding top spot in defeat to Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos slipping versus Salford, with both games seeing contrasting attendance figures.
Warrington Wolves took on Hull KR in a top-of-the-table clash with Warrington knowing they would return top with a win whilst Hull KR knew a win of 10 or more points would take them to the summit of Super League for the first time since 2009.
That’s what happened with Hull KR putting in a season-best performance to win 22-4 with Willie Peters getting his first win over Wire in his fifth attempt with star man Mikey Lewis being the standout player once again.
That was the sole game on Friday night but two games took place on Thursday with Wigan Warriors hosting Huddersfield Giants and Castleford Tigers hosting Leigh Leopards.
Wigan came over a first-half scare to run out as 28-14 winners to snap their two-game losing streak, whilst Leigh kept their playoff hopes alive with a 20-10 win over Castleford at The Jungle.
Saturday saw St Helens snap their five-game losing streak in emphatic fashion as they hammered Hull FC 46-6 before Salford Red Devils won 22-16 to dent Leeds Rhinos playoff hopes and solidify their own.
The shock of the weekend came on Sunday though as London Broncos did Leeds a favour by beating Catalans Dragons 12-10 to land just their second win of the year and leave Catalans sat in sixth, just four points ahead of the Rhinos.
London Broncos were playing in front of a small crowd at Plough Lane and owner David Hughes called for the club to have an extra 10,000 in attendance, something that just two Super League clubs managed this week.
Super League Attendance Figures led by Wigan and Warrington
Credit: Imago Images
Just two Super League games cracked the 10,000 attendance mark and that was the teams that entered the round in first and second with Wigan Warriors playing in front of 11,660, whilst the Halliwell Jones Stadium saw 12,102 in attendance in part thanks to huge travelling support from Hull KR.
As for their rivals, Hull FC, they put in one of their season-low Super League attendance figures as they dipped below 10,000 fans for just the second time with 9,885 turning up for that game.
That was over 5,000 more than turned up to watch Salford Red Devils host Leeds Rhinos with a crowd of 4,473 witnessing that impressive victory for Paul Rowley’s side.
London Broncos’ impressive victory was played out in front of just 1,900 fans at Plough Lane.
As yet, Castleford’s attendance has yet to be revealed but the club have been averaging around 7,500 which is the benchmark for maximum IMG points.
Round 20 Super League Attendance Figures
Castleford Tigers 10-20 Leigh Leopards – TBC
Wigan Warriors 28-14 Huddersfield Giants – 11,660
Warrington Wolves 4-22 Hull KR – 12,102
Hull FC 6-46 St Helens – 9,885
Salford Red Devils 22-16 Leeds Rhinos – 4,473
London Broncos 12-10 Catalans Dragons – 1,900
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