Dominant Wakefield Trinity beat Leigh Leopards to secure home play-off tie - and highest ever Super League finish

Trinity won 19-8 thanks to a splendid Tom Johnstone double, a late Cam Scott try, two Max Jowitt penalties and a Jake Trueman drop-goal to lock in fourth spot - their highest ever finish in Super League.

The Leopards, in fifth, knew they could only overtake Wakefield - and ensure a repeat fixture at Leigh Sports Village in the eliminator - if they thumped them by a margin of 28 points or more.

But there was no danger of that as Daryl Powell named a strong side - despite missing the physical presence of injured duo Ky Rodwell and Caleb Hamlin-Uele - to end the regular season with three consecutive victories.

This one was a ninth Super League triumph on the road in 2026.

13 of Trin’s 19 points came in the first half with the home side getting on the board in an improved second 40.

The visitors, however, were in control from the start and took the lead after only four minutes. A Mason Lino kick was sent to the left which was patted back by Isaiah Vagana to the instrumental Trueman who found Johnstone in acres of space to finish in the corner.

They could have had a second try inside the opening ten minutes but Jayden Myers - who later failed a head injury assessment - was denied by the video referee who adjudged there was a ball stall in a two-on-one tackle after the winger had collected a great Trueman kick.

Two more points followed through the boot of a Max Jowitt penalty, while David Armstrong, fed by Josh Charnley after a great break, knocked on in what was Leigh’s first, and only, attacking threat of the half.

Trin were then able to turn their dominance into more points when Emre Guler powered down the middle before the ball was worked to the left allowing Corey Hall to find the irresistible Johnstone. It wasn’t a simple chance. With his body in the air - and out of play - he still somehow stretched an arm out to dot the ball down.

Jowitt missed a tricky conversion but then made it 12-0 with another penalty before Trueman knocked over a drop-goal on the half-time hooter.

Owen Trout got Leigh back into the game ten minutes into the second half before Jowitt was off target with what looked like a simple penalty on the hour mark.

The Leopards were given hope with minutes left when Lino was sent to the sin bin and they took full advantage when Innes Senior crossed to get them back within a converted try.

Trin were under pressure but they defended well and Scott secured a deserved victory in the final couple of minutes after a great team move from left to right, as Trin head to the play-offs in supreme confidence.

Leigh: Armstrong, Senior, Badrock, Hanley, Charnley, Cook, Lam, Ofahengaue, Horne, Mulhern, Alick-Wiencke, Trout, Brogan

Interchanges: Wilde, Hughes, Davis, Ipape

Tries: Trout, Senior

Wakefield: Jowitt, Myers, Scott, Hall, Johnstone, Trueman, Lino, McMeeken, Smoothy, Guler, Lipowicz, Vagana, Tevaga

Interchanges: Pitts, Faatili, Smith, Williams

Tries: Johnstone (2), Scott

Conversions: Jowitt

Penalties: Jowitt (2)

Drop-Goal: Trueman