Hull KR fell short in their quest for the top spot in the Betfred Super League, suffering a significant setback against Wakefield, who triumphed with a score of 28-12 at the sold-out DIY Kitchens Stadium. This loss marked one of Rovers’ poorest performances of the season, as they allowed the hosts to establish a commanding 26-0 lead by halftime. As a result, Hull KR must secure a victory against Warrington in their final regular-season match to ensure they enter the playoffs in first place.
Wakefield’s victory was spearheaded by the impressive return of Max Jowitt, who not only scored a try but also added 12 points through successful kicks, showcasing a near-perfect performance. The win places Wakefield on the brink of a playoff spot, as they aim to clinch a top-six finish with a victory over last-placed Salford on March 15, 2024.
The match began poorly for Hull KR, who struggled to find their rhythm from the outset. Wakefield’s Jake Trueman capitalized on a fortunate bounce to score the opening try just five minutes in. Despite some defensive efforts, including a notable tackle by Jack Broadbent to prevent further scoring, Hull KR continued to falter. Jowitt converted a penalty after the visitors were penalized for offside, and Wakefield extended their lead when Mason Lino easily broke through a static Hull KR defense to score.
As the first half progressed, Rovers remained silent offensively, and even a miscalculated interception by Hull’s Mikey Lewis allowed Jowitt to glide through for Wakefield’s third try. A strong challenge from Tom Davies temporarily halted Jowitt’s scoring spree, but he soon assisted Cam Scott in crossing the line, concluding a dominant first half with the score at 26-0.
After halftime, Hull KR displayed a renewed sense of urgency, quickly getting on the scoreboard with a try from Arthur Mourgue. He converted his own score, bringing the game to 26-6. Despite their improved performance, Wakefield responded with another penalty from Jowitt, pushing the lead to 28-6 with less than 15 minutes remaining.
Although Oliver Gildart eventually scored Hull KR’s second try, it was too late to alter the outcome, and the visitors’ hopes of securing the League Leaders’ Shield with a game to spare were dashed.
In contrast, Hull FC kept their playoff ambitions alive with a comprehensive 34-2 victory over Warrington at the MKM Stadium. This win puts Hull just one point behind Wakefield, who benefited from their earlier victory over Hull KR. Hull FC’s performance was highlighted by tries from Lewis Martin, Denive Balmforth, Aidan Sezer, and Harvey Barron, all of which came during a period when Warrington’s Lachlan Fitzgibbon was in the sin bin.
Zak Hardaker converted the first three tries, as Hull FC established control early, despite Warrington taking the lead with a penalty from former Hull player Marc Sneyd. Jordan Lane and Hardaker later added further tries to solidify the home side’s dominant performance.
Hull FC’s strong finish to the regular season sets up an exciting conclusion as they chase a spot in the playoffs, while Hull KR must regroup quickly to maintain their position at the top of the table.
