Round 24 round-up

Round 24 kick started with three crucial games taking place on Friday Night. Play-Off hopefuls Hull KR hosted the table topping Catalans Dragons in what proved to be an incredibly tight affair. The league leaders took the lead inside four minutes, but the Robins soon equalised just 8 minutes later. There was little to separate the two sides with just two points between them heading into the final quarter, before a huge Mikey Lewis try gave the Robins an eight point advantage which saw them earn a memorable win to solidify their top six position and inflict a second consecutive defeat on the Dragons.

Neat Robins move ?@hullkrofficial take the lead against the Dragons ?#SuperLeague #SLHKRCat pic.twitter.com/d08AUgT75S
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 1, 2023

Elsewhere on Friday Night, the high-flying Wigan Warriors took on a resurgent Salford Red Devils. Salford took the lead inside the opening 20 minutes through a Ryan Brierley penalty, but were ahead for just three minutes after Liam Farrell scored the opening try for the Warriors. Wigan showed their class and found themselves 20-4 up at half time, before a dominant second half display saw them further add to their lead and take home the two points, propelling the Warriors into top spot. 

The final Friday Night game saw Huddersfield travel to Leigh to face the Leopards. Josh Charnley continued his outstanding season with a first half brace to move top of the Super League try scoring charts. With a stadium lighting failure bringing the game to a halt with the score at 16-12 in favour of the home side, the remaining 32 minutes were replayed on Sunday. The Giants failed to overturn their Friday Night deficit as the Leopards strengthened their grip on the game to secure their first league win since their historic Challenge Cup Final victory.

Edwin Ipape jinks his way over for @LeighLeopardsRL ?#SuperLeague #SLLeiHud pic.twitter.com/M5Nx0GoPTk
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 3, 2023

A tough away trip beckoned for relegation threatened Castleford as they travelled to Warrington on Saturday. The Tigers took an early lead through Sam Hall but three quick tries for the Wolves were the catalyst for a storming Warrington performance. Braces from George Williams, Paul Vaughan and Matthew Dufty helped the Wolves romped home and ensure they kept hold of fifth position whilst adding to Castleford's struggles.

The second Saturday afternoon fixture saw Hull FC take on Leeds Rhinos at the MKM Stadium. Luke Hooley gave Leeds the lead, but the home side were soon back in the contest thanks to Adam Swift. A rare front rower hat-trick from the Rhinos' Sam Lisone gave Leeds control and put them four points off a top six spot and a small chance of clawing their way back into Play-Off contention.

Hat-trick completed for Sam Lisone ?#SuperLeague #SLHulLee pic.twitter.com/tgE8L1hQMg
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 2, 2023

Saints travelled to struggling Wakefield for the final game in Round 24. First half tries from Jonny Lomax, Tommy Makinson, Jon Bennison and a first try of the season for skipper James Roby gave Saints a 20-6 lead at the break. The second half saw more of the same from the impressive Saints as Wakefield fell to their fourth straight league defeat. The win now puts Saints level on points with Catalans and Wigan at the summit of Super League going into the final three rounds of the season.