Sykes to the rescue again for wildcats

For the second time in two games, a late drop-goal from Paul Sykes gave Wakefield a win to keep their play-off hopes alive. It was 30 points apiece at Hull KR with 40sec left when Sykes, who did the same to St Helens last week, slotted for 31-30.

Rovers had led 14-4 at half-time but the Wildcats got a late equaliser through Kyle Wood, with Sykes – on-loan from Bradford – missing an easy conversion before sealing their fifth straight win with his drop.

Widnes gained a thoroughly deserved sixth victory of the season – and with it a real chance of avoiding the wooden spoon – by beating Hull 42-16.The match was the tale of two Briscoes at full-back. Widnes' Hull old boy, Shaun, was outstanding in a two-try display, but the black-and-whites' Tom struggled in an unfamiliar position.

Next Saturday's Wembley finalists both lost. Leeds went down 38-34 in Perpignan to the Catalan Dragons despite a late rally, but Warrington came a cropper, whipped 62-18 at the London Broncos. It was their third win in a row under interim coach Tony Rea, while Luke Dorn achieved the unique feat in Super League of scoring four tries two weeks running.

St Helens kept up their bid for third place with a 44-12 win over Castleford, with Tom Makinson scoring two of their tries. Cas are now in danger of finishing last in Super League.