Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR met in a golden point thriller, Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves butted heads in a fast paced affair and St Helens came up short in what some are calling the game of the season against Catalans Dragons.
The weekend also saw Wakefield Trinity’s reason good form halted by Huddersfield Giants but Castleford Tigers were unable to capitalise.
They lost 36-18 to Hull FC despite being level at halftime. The defeat leaves Castleford in perild but boosts Hull’s play-off hopes.
A day later and Salford Red Devils tasted defeated in a game that hurt their play-off hopes as they lost to Leigh Leopards.
The Red Devils took the lead after a loose pass found Ken Sio who went over in the corner to make it 4-0.
Leigh meanwhile hit back as John Asiata flicked a pass out to Ed Chamberlain to score to give the Leopards the lead when Ben Reynolds converted.
Leigh soon led 10-4 when Ricky Leutele powered over despite a resurgent effort in defence from the Red Devils.
Marc Sneyd then nailed a massive 40/20 before a neat passing play put King Vuniyayawa over that levelled matters. Salford then had a try controversially disallowed before Andy Ackers gave the Red Devils the lead as he darted over to make it 16-10.
Their lead went out to 22-10 when Tim Lafai broke through and then Ben Halliwell grounded Brodie Croft’s kick.
Leigh, though with a number of players like star man Edwin Ipape rested, hit back when Lachlan Lam took Tom Amone’s offload to score.
The Leopards would then level matters after Zak Hardaker was on hand to capitalise on chaos out wide.
Ben Reynolds levelled matters with the goal. Salford had the first effort at the drop goal which sailed whilst Leigh moved forward and Salford gave away a penalty allowing Reynolds to nail a penalty goal to give Leigh the lead.
They held on to win 24-22. It is a game that underlines Leigh Leopards as title contenders and gets them ready for the semi-final next week at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Salford’s play-off spot remains in peril. However, Salford fans felt aggrieved again by some decisions namely the awarding of Ricky Leutele’s try after footage has emerged seemingly showing the centre well in touch and potentially short of the line.
Meanwhile, Zak Hardaker would later appear to pull back Joe Burgess as Salford threatened to break clear in what some believe was a professional foul that should have yielded a yellow card.
Some have been surprised then that Hardaker hasn’t even been cited by the match review panel.
Well this is because if the foul had been given he would have only been cited for a professional foul which wouldn’t yield any punishment.
Thus, the fact it was missed or determined not to be means there is no action to be taken.
Following the latest round of Betfred Super League fixtures, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:
Liam Hood (Wakefield Trinity) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Max Jowitt (Wakefield Trinity) – Grade B Strikes – £250 Fine
Adam Milner (Huddersfield Giants) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine
Bevan French (Wigan Warriors) – Grade B Dangerous Throw – £250 Fine
Kaide Ellis (Wigan Warriors) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine
Harvie Hill (Wigan Warriors) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine
James Bentley (Leeds Rhinos) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine
Alex Mellor (Castleford Tigers) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine
The following players have received a caution:
David Fusitua (Leeds Rhinos) – Raises knee in tackle
Romain Navarrete (Catalans Dragons) – Raises knee in tackle
Huddersfield Giants
Tom Burgess says he won’t stay in Super League for long
