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Rivals Round Returns Round Up

6 hrs

Tempers and emotions flared in Rivals Round Returns – and the results meant more with everything still to play for as we approach the finishing line of the season!

On Thursday Night, Leeds Rhinos made it five wins on the spin in their Final Charge with a resounding 0-26 victory over Huddersfield Giants.

The first half of this West Yorkshire Derby was a gutsy affair, with just Harry Newman’s try and two Jake Connor penalties separating the two sides.

Straight after the break, Leeds were out of second gear and managed to assert their dominance as Morgan Gannon got the better of a lucky bounce and strolled in to score.

This was before Lachie Miller’s moment of magic sent Brodie Croft through and Mikolaj Oledzki rounded off the game when he powered over to add more points to the board.

The Rhinos sit in third and just two points behind second-placed Wigan with two regular rounds remaining.

.@leedsrhinos finding their groove late on ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/Txq870lCDo
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 4, 2025

There were two matches on Thursday Night, with Catalans Dragons coming from behind to beat Salford Red Devils 16-17.

Tries from Jack Darbyshire and Neil Tchamambe had put the hosts into a 10-4 lead at the interval as they seeked back-to-back wins for the first time in 2025, but the Dragons rallied in the second stanza with quick fire tries from Jordan Dezaria and Denive Balmforth; adding to Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet’s first half effort.

Ugo Tison slotted a late drop goal to claim the French side's third win in ten matches, while a spirited Salford added a consolation on the hooter through Tchamambe, who bagged a brace in a closely fought contest.

Then, on Friday Night, Wigan Warriors kept themselves in the race for a home Semi-Final with a huge victory in a blood and thunder derby battle at a sold out Totally Wicked Stadium.

Although Deon Cross opened the scores for St Helens, the Warriors proved why they were champions with tries from Jake Wardle and Liam Marshall, which gave them the advantage at half-time along with Harry Smith’s penalty.

Jai Field's fantastic length-of-the-field try went on to seal the spoils, which also prevented Hull KR from being able to lift the League Leaders' Shield in The Hull Derby this weekend.

Jai Field GONE ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/GUUlU4PQfP
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 5, 2025

Elsewhere, an energised Castleford Tigers caused a huge upset against their local rivals and Play-Off hopefuls Wakefield Trinity (26-22).

The Tigers turned up in Rivals Round Returns and stunned their neighbours with a truly pulsating performance after a terrible run of losses in August.

Despite an early try from Tom Johnstone, Castleford grasped complete control of the derby at an electric OneBore Stadium, and replied with tries from Chris Atkin, Elliot Wallis and Sam Wood.

Josh Rourke added tries on either side of the half, however, but Classy Cas struck again through Alex Mellor and Liam Horne, as Trinity struggled to contain the Tigers and their ferocious kicking game.

Seth Nikotemo’s late score set up a grandstand finish, but Chris Chester’s men held out to secure a memorable derby win, as well as retain The Adam Watene Trophy.

This defeat delivers a big blow Wakefield's Play-Offs aspirations, who face league leaders Hull KR next Saturday in a must-win game for both teams.

The Tigers have turned up in Rivals Round Returns ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/KHBZcGYtbY
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 5, 2025

On Saturday, Leigh Leopards strengthened their hopes of a home Eliminator in the Play-Offs after a comfortable 12-34 win away at Warrington Wolves.

Their victory was inspired heavily by Umyla Hanley and Keanan Brand.

Brand crossed for a hat-trick at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Matt Davis, Hanley and Bailey Hodgson also getting on the scoresheet.

This win sees fourth-placed Leigh go three points clear of Saints in fifth, and one point behind Leeds in third.

.@LeighLeopardsRL are on their way to a comfortable victory in Rivals Round Returns ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/422Nmp54vl
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 6, 2025

The 50th Super League Hull Derby got heated on Sunday as Hull KR met with Hull FC at a rocking Sewell Group Craven Park.

It was celebrations for the Robins at full-time as they edged ever closer to the League Leaders' Shield, after defeating their rivals 18-4.

In a brutally intense affair, tries from Noah Booth, Jez Litten and Jack Broadbent sent Hull KR into a 14-point lead, and although Tom Briscoe gave the Black & Whites some hope with a late score in the corner, Tom Davies responded at the other end to seal a sixth derby win in a row and keep possession of The Clive Sullivan Trophy.

Willie Peters' men can now definitively win the League Leaders' Shield next Saturday when they travel to face Wakefield.

Meanwhile, Hull FC's loss leaves them just one point behind sixth-placed Trinity, with Warrington and Catalans left to play.

But who will be sitting in sixth at the end of Round 27?

Spotting a gap in the defence ?

The Robins are on their way to Derby day success ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/5DfrhjW2aM
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 7, 2025