Super League review: Castleford return to the top
A review of the latest round of action in the Betfred Super League, as Castleford return to the top of the standings.
Super League results
Click on each result for report & reaction
Sunday March 26
Friday March 24
St Helens 31-6 Warrington
Widnes 10-46 Salford
Huddersfield 12-28 Leeds
Wigan 20-22 Hull FC
Thursday March 23
Wakefield 28-24 Leigh
Castleford came from 14-0 down to thrash Catalans Dragons 43-26 on Sunday and reclaim top spot in the Betfred Super League.
The Tigers appeared to be suffering from a hangover from their surprise 13-12 defeat at Salford after allowing their visitors to run in two tries in the first 10 minutes but they responded in trademark fashion with a series of well-worked tries to return to winning ways in emphatic fashion.
Winger Greg Eden led the way with two tries, taking his total for the season to 10 to go in front of injured team-mate Greg Minikin at the top of the Super League chart.
The Dragons faded badly after their promising start and have now gone four matches without a win to remain in the bottom four.
CLICK HERE FOR FIXTURES, RESULTS & STANDINGS
On Friday night, Hull FC ended champions Wigan's unbeaten start to the Betfred Super League season with a 22-20 triumph, but were given a massive fright in the second half.
The visitors blew the Warriors away with three tries in a nine-minute period in the first half, Steve Michaels, Albert Kelly and Jake Connor crossing to help Hull move 18-0 ahead, and a try from Jamie Shaul extended their advantage to 22-0 at the start of the second half.
The hosts showed some fighting spirit to finally make a go of it, with Liam Forsyth grabbing his first try for the club, and George Williams, Tom Davies and Liam Marshall also crossing to set up a grandstand finish, but Hull hung on to go top.
Warrington's dismal start to the season continued as they crashed to a sixth successive defeat with a 31-6 hammering at St Helens.
The result leaves Wolves coach Tony Smith under considerable pressure with his side yet to win a match in the competition.
Saints blew away their own recent problems with Adam Swift scoring twice and Zeb Taia, Jack Owens and Alex Walmsley also crossing in a dominant display at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Three quickfire tries late in the first half swung the game decisively in Saints' favour with Warrington's only touchdown coming from Kurt Gidley early in the second half.
Improving Leeds made it three wins in a row with a 28-12 derby success at Huddersfield to climb up to second place in the table.
The Rhinos set the platform with a strong first-half performance but could never completely shake off their gritty opponents until Jordan Baldwinson scored their fifth try in the last minute of the match.
The Giants had their moments, particularly when Lee Gaskell and Kruise Leeming had the ball, but they have now gone four games without a win.
Sensational Salford hit the afterburners to produce their best display of the season so far as they demolished Widnes with nine tries in a 46-10 win.
Ian Watson's side carded an opening 40 minutes of flawless rugby league, touching down six times and inflicting the 64th home point without reply on sorry Widnes, after Castleford had hit them for 34 two weeks previously.
There was little let-up after the break either and on the night nine different Salford players crossed the whitewash.
If Salford look the dark horses of this year's Super League, Widnes appear to be in freefall under Denis Betts, the coach who is still looking for a win this year.
On Thursday, Wakefield once more demonstrated their never-say-die attitude to snatch a second consecutive home win to climb back into the top eight.
Trinity came from 22-12 down to beat Salford in their previous game at Belle Vue and this time overturned a 24-12 half-time deficit to gain a thrilling 28-24 victory over Leigh, with winger Ben Jones-Bishop completing the fightback with the 100th try of his career.
Super League 2017: Updated Standings
Castleford P 6 W 5 D 0 L 1 SD +142 Pts 10
Hull FC P 6 W 5 D 0 L 1 SD +74 Pts 10
Leeds P 7 W 5 D 0 L 2 SD +27 Pts 10
Wigan P 6 W 4 D 1 L 1 SD +52 Pts 9
Salford P 7 W 4 D 0 L 3 SD +39 Pts 8
St Helens P 6 W 3 D 0 L 3 SD +9 Pts 6
Leigh P 7 W 3 D 0 L 4 SD -3 Pts 6
Wakefield P 6 W 3 D 0 L 3 SD -26 Pts 6
Catalans P 6 W 2 D 1 L 3 SD -47 Pts 5
Huddersfield P 7 W 2 D 1 L 4 SD -76 Pts 5
Widnes P 6 W 0 D 1 L 5 SD -104 Pts 1
Warrington P 6 W 0 D 0 L 6 SD -87 Pts 0
MOST READ
