The first round of the Super League play-offs is done and dusted and just four teams remain as the Grand Final looms on the horizon.
To say the eliminator round delivered would be an understatement to say the least. Leigh Leopards turned on the style to blow Wakefield Trinity away at Leigh Sports Village as Adrian Lam’s side reached the semi-finals for the second straight season.
Nothing will quite compare to the way St Helens booked their spot in the last four, though, with their buzzer beating try from Shane Wright coming against all the odds. St Helens were 14-6 down going into the final few minutes of the game, but Jon Bennison scored to pull the Saints to within two and then came the try of the decade.
Winning a penalty for offside with just 10 seconds left on the clock, the hooter went as Saints kicked the ball out of play for the restart in Leeds territory. The Rhinos fans met the hooter with cheers and celebrations, but what followed was simply extraordinary as Paul Wellens’ side worked the ball from left to right and back again, with offloads galore to work the space for Wright to get over and win the game.
It was heartbreak for Leeds, but sheer ecstasy for St Helens and Wellens, who could be seen running onto the pitch in celebration.
It was one of those ‘I was there’ moments for the Saints fans, but how many spectators were actually in attendance at Headingley?
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Surprisingly, Leeds actually recorded a season low crowd for their final home game of the season with just 11,108 going through the gate in West Yorkshire, according to Rugby League Project.
The Rhinos have averaged attendances of around 15,000 this year so that drop off is seen as somewhat out of the ordinary.
Leigh Leopards, on the other hand, recorded their second biggest attendance of the year, with 10,011 watching their clash with Wakefield at Leigh Sports Village. A total of 2,064 were from Wakefield Trinity, too, with the Yorkshire contingent showing their support and then some.
If the eliminators were anything to go by, we’re in for a special final fortnight of the 2025 Super League season.
Super League play-off eliminator attendances
Leigh Leopards 26-10 Wakefield Trinity – 10,011
Leeds Rhinos 14-16 St Helens – 11,108
