Widnes Vikings head into next week’s rugby league Challenge Cup semi-final with Castleford Tigers on a high after beating Hull KR to boost their Super League play-off hopes.
It was an important fixture for both teams – just one point the difference between the two sides in mid-table before the clash – but the Vikings built a three-point buffer in eighth with a performance that involved five different try-scorers.
And in further good news for Widnes, half-back Kevin Brown recovered in time after suffering injury in last week’s defeat to St Helens to surge over in the 28-10 victory.
Castleford meanwhile also prepared in perfect fashion with a commanding 64-18 triumph over the pointless London Broncos.
Australian star Justin Carney grabbed a hat-trick before half-time and his compatriot Luke Dorn touched down twice against his old club as Tigers had it wrapped up quickly.
Huddersfield Giants brushed aside Wakefield Wildcats 36-18 to tighten up the Super League’s top half, with just four points now separating the first six teams.
Huddersfield, who remain sixth, stormed to a 32-point lead by the interval, though Wakefield did save face in the second half through former Penrith Panther Jarrod Sammut, who scored two tries.
Relegated Bradford Bulls backed up their remarkable victory over Wigan Warriors with another shock against Leeds Rhinos on Friday, as Lee Gaskell scored a late try to clinch a 20-14 win.
Brett Delaney and another ex-Panther in Mitch Achurch were among the scorers for the Warriors, who face off against Warrington Wolves in the second Challenge Cup semi-final.
Gaskell’s effort and Luke Gale’s fourth goal of the night finally secured the upset in a see-saw game.
Leeds remain two points behind leaders St Helens however after Nathan Brown’s side were toppled by Hull FC, who won for the first time in seven Super League games.
Tongan international Mickey Paea came up with the game-deciding try in a 19-12 triumph as Hull, now in 11th, kept their faint play-off hopes alive.
Elsewhere on Friday, Joel Monaghan settled a win for Warrington over Catalan Dragons in an edge-of-the-seat encounter at Stade Gilbert Brutus.
Warrington headed into half time firmly in the box seat, up by six points after Michael Monaghan and Gene Ormsby had crossed over.
Joel followed his brother onto the scoresheet after the interval and it was to prove the decisive try in a 26-24 success – though Australian-born Michael Oldfield completed his hat-trick for the hosts to make it tense late on.
And on Thursday, Wigan worked off their frustration from last week’s loss to the Bulls with a 45-4 demolition of Salford Red Devils.
Kiwi Anthony Gelling starred with his first Super League hat-trick while Josh Charnley, George Williams, Tony Clubb and Matty Smith also found joy as normal business resumed for the reigning champions.
