engage Super League Rd 23 Review

Bradford Bulls 50 (Newton 2, Gene, Lynch, Pryce, Vagana, Hape, Meyers, Vainikolo tries; Deacon 7 goals) def. Warrington Wolves 22 (Bridge 2, Kohe-Love, Reardon tries; Briers 3 goals). Att: 11,469. Bradford ended their loosing streak against their voodoo team Warrington with a resounding win at the Grattan Stadium Odsal.

The Bulls opened a commanding and unassailable 32-6 lead in the first half by running in six tries, including a spell of three tries in eight minutes just before the break. Chris Bridge scored tries either side of half-time for Warrington and Toa Kohe-Love added another but Bradford where too strong for the Wolves.

Terry Newton put the seal on a convincing Bradford victory with a brace towards the end of the game.

Hull F.C. 23 (Raynor 2, Whiting 2, Domic tries; Cooke goal, field goal) def. Leeds Rhinos 16 (Senior, Donald, Jones-Buchanan tries; Sinfield 2 goals). Att: 13,721.

Hull F.C. moved up to second place in the engage Super League by handing Leeds Rhinos their fourth successive defeat in a pulsating game at the KC Stadium.

The Black and Whites started the stronger and took the early lead with two unconverted Gareth Raynor tries. Keith Senior closed the gap to 8-6 for the visitors with try out wide, but this was short lived as the hosts extend their lead to 18-6 at the break with Sid Domic and Richard Whiting going over.

With Paul Cooke having an off the day with his kicking, Leeds got themselves back in the game in the second half through a Scott Donald try after a pass from new signing, Kiwi international Clinton Toopi.

The Rhinos had two tries disallowed by the video referee, before Whiting added his second try and although Jamie Jones-Buchanan crossed for the Rhinos, Hull hung on for their first victory over Leeds at the K.C. Stadium.

Salford City Reds 34 (Moule, Coley, Robinson, Haggerty, Rutgerson, McGuinness tries; Hodgson 5 goals) def. Harlequins R.L. 0. Att: 3,046.

Salford City Reds kept up their top six hopes with an emphatic win over Harlequins R.L. at the Willows.

Salford opened up a 12-0 first half lead with tries form Sean Rutgerson and Luke Robinson both converted by David Hodgson. In the second half, the one-way traffic continued for the Reds with Kevin McGuinness and Gareth Haggerty touching down. Andy Coley and Aaron Moule added further scores to seal victory.

Salford gained their first win in four and the Quins are looking over their shoulder as they now face a relegation battle.

St Helens 56 (Graham, Fa'asavalu, Wellens, Cayless, Cunningham, Gardner, V Anderson, Meli, Wilkin, Lyon tries; Lyon 6, Sculthorpe 2 goals) def. Huddersfield Giants 8 (Smith, Jones tries). Att: 8,378.

St Helens gained the upper hand in the Powergen Challenge Cup final rehearsal by thrashing the Huddersfield Giants at Knowsley Road.

The Saints - who welcomed back skipper Paul Sculthorpe - had the game won by half-time as they raced into a 30-4 lead. Jamie Lyon scored the first try after a slick five-man move in the ninth minute and then set up Keiron Cunningham. Stuart Jones touched down Robbie Paul's grubber kick for the Giants.

The hosts continued their dominance in the second half and by the end of the game, the Saints had 10 different try scores.

Wigan Warriors 40 (Ashton, Vaealiki, Hansen, Richards, Fletcher, Calderwood, Higham tries; Dobson 4, Tickle 2 goals) def. Catalans Dragons 4 (Bosc try). Att: 12,647.

Wigan?s improved form continued with a very easy victory over Catalans Dragons at the J.J.B. Stadium.

Mark Calderwood scored the first try in the third minute and further scores from Bryan Fletcher and Harrison Hansen gave the Warriors a 20-0 lead at the break.

The French team did get on the scoreboard in the second half with a try from winger Thomas Bosc. Wigan then put the foot on the gas and wrapped the game up with tries by Pat Richards, David Vaealiki, Chris Ashton and Mickey Higham.

This win was Wigan?s sixth in seven games and keeps them 2 points clear of the relegation zone.

Wakefield Wildcats 18 (Saxton, Evans, Halpenny, Tadulala tries; Rooney goal) def. Castleford Tigers 0. Att: 7,205.

New head coach John Kear weaved his magic as an eleven-man Wakefield shut out the Castleford Tigers in a tense local derby at the Jungle.

Flying Fijian winger Semi Tadulala gave visitors a perfect start with an early try. Wakefield managed to hold on to the lead until half-time, despite the dismissal of skipper Monty Betham for punching just before the break.

Castleford came out firing in the second half and with some robust defence the Wildcats held on to their slender lead. Then Colum Halpenny's try from what looked a forward pass eased the pressure and James Evans and Tom Saxton sealed the win. Ned Catic was also given his marching orders, late on for a head-butt on Danny Sculthorpe.

This win lifts Wakefield off the bottom and leaves them just two points from safety.