St Helens secured a crucial 18-12 victory over Wakefield Trinity on April 25, 2026, moving level on points with Leeds Rhinos at the summit of the Betfred Super League. The win at the Brewdog Stadium marked the Saints’ ninth triumph in their last ten matches across all competitions, reinforcing their position as genuine title contenders.
According to BBC Sport coverage of the match, St Helens built a commanding 16-0 halftime lead through tries from Jake Davies, Kyle Feldt, and Tristan Sailor. Wakefield Trinity mounted a spirited second-half comeback, with Tyson Smoothy and Caius Faatili scoring to narrow the gap, but the home side held firm to claim the victory. The result sets up a highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash between St Helens and Leeds Rhinos next week.
The win means both St Helens and Leeds now sit on 32 points from 14 matches, with Leeds maintaining a superior points difference. This development intensifies what has become a two-horse race for the Super League summit, as both teams have demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the 2026 season.
Match Highlights and Key Performances
St Helens’ dominance in the opening 40 minutes was built on powerful forward play and clinical finishing. Jake Davies opened the scoring after forcing his way over the line despite two tacklers clinging on, showcasing the physicality that has become a hallmark of the Saints’ approach. Kyle Feldt added his 11th try of the season with a sharp finish in the corner following a looping pass from Jonny Lomax, while Tristan Sailor extended the lead after accelerating through a gap following a long pass from Hastings.
Wakefield Trinity showed resilience after the break, reducing the deficit through tries from Tyson Smoothy and Caius Faatili. The visitors had arrived at the Brewdog Stadium in confident mood, having won six of their previous seven matches, but struggled to cope with St Helens’ mean defence in the first half. Paul Rowley’s side were praised for their uncompromising attitude, exemplified by prop Alex Walmsley charging 50 metres to chase down Oliver Pratt as the wing threatened to break away.
Implications for the Super League Title Race
The victory moves St Helens level with Leeds Rhinos at the top of the Betfred Super League table, setting up what BBC Sport describes as a “mouth-watering top-of-the-table showdown” for the following Friday. Both teams now have identical points totals from the same number of matches, with the points difference likely to prove decisive in determining who finishes the regular season in first place.
Leeds Rhinos hold the superior points difference, meaning St Helens would require to win their upcoming encounter by a significant margin to overtake them at the summit. The fixture represents a pivotal moment in the 2026 Super League season, with the winner gaining a psychological advantage heading into the final stretch of the campaign.
Wakefield Trinity, despite the defeat, can accept encouragement from their second-half performance. The club, which returned to Super League last year, has continued to improve and showed encouraging signs by pushing the defending champions closely for 50 minutes. Their resilience indicates they remain a competitive force in the middle of the table.
Looking Ahead
St Helens’ remaining April fixtures include the away match against Leeds Rhinos, followed by trips to Warrington and a home game against Hull FC. Leeds Rhinos face St Helens away, then host Wigan before traveling to the Catalan Dragons. These upcoming matches will be crucial in shaping the final standings of the Super League regular season.
The confirmed next checkpoint in this developing title race is the direct confrontation between St Helens and Leeds Rhinos scheduled for the following Friday at the Totally Wicked Stadium. This match will likely have significant implications for which team finishes the regular season in the advantageous top position.
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