Former Wests Tigers and Gold Coast NRL star Anthony Laffranchi touched down inside two minutes to help St Helens record their fifth successive Super League victory and consolidate their playoff place with a 26-12 win over Wakefield Wildcats.
The 32-year-old started the scoring with Adam Swift and Sia Soliola also grabbing first-half tries.
Reece Lyne went over for Wakefield as Saints led 16-6 at halftime and Kyle Amor added another on 67 minutes to cut Saints’ lead again after Jonny Lomax had dived over taking his points tally beyond 100 this season.
New Zealander Lance Hohaia then added another for Saints on 72 minutes which was converted by Lomax, as Saints stay in fifth.
Bradford Bulls’ playoff hopes ended after a 46-34 defeat to Castleford Tigers with Kiwi Rangi Chase getting on the score-sheet for the hosts.
Kirk Dixon, Justin Carney and a double from Adam Milner gave the Tigers a 22-12 halftime lead with Jarrod Sammut and Brett Kearney touching down for the Bulls.
Nick Scruton went over early in the second half as the Bulls moved within four points of Castleford but Chase and Jordan Tansey responded for the Tigers.
Bradford’s Elliot Kear and Danny Addy and Castleford’s Nathan Massey and Jamie Ellis all scored in the final 10 minutes to cap off the encounter.
On Saturday, Huddersfield Giants moved to within one win of sealing the minor premiership with a 26-12 victory over the London Broncos.
Wigan Warriors’ poor form continued ahead of their Challenge Cup final next week after they were downed 20-8 by the Catalan Dragons as Australian Steve Menzies touched down.
Frederic Vaccari and Scott Taylor’s first-half tries cancelled one another out but Menzies and Eloi Pelissier scored in the second half for the Dragons.
On Friday, Joe Westerman scored late as Hull FC overcame a dogged display from the Salford City Reds to win 18-13 with New Zealander Aaron Heremaia also going over.
Hull KR produced a magnificent defensive display to hold off Leeds Rhinos as first-half tries from Jordan Cox and Rhys Lovegrove were enough to seal a famous 16-12 win.
And on Thursday, Widnes Vikings caused another upset as they all but ended Warrington Wolves’ hopes of finishing the season on top of the table with a 16-6 victory.
