WARRINGTON Wolves moved to the brink of securing a Super League play-off place by winning their Magic Weekend clash with Leeds Rhinos.
The Wire took full advantage of Rhinos winger David Fusitu’a being sent to the sin bin for hauling down Matty Ashton off the ball, with Matt Dufty scoring twice in his period off the field to stretch his side out to a winning lead at Elland Road.
The full-back would go on to complete a late hat-trick as Sam Burgess’ men stayed on the coattails of leading pair Wigan Warriors and Hull KR.
Fusitua’s was not to be the only yellow card, however, as the game became increasingly bad-tempered, with Rodrick Tai and Leeds’ Sam Lisone both sin-binned for their part in a fracas.
Tai’s bone-crunching tackle on Lachie Miller had set up the only first-half try, with George Williams picking up the pieces to race clear just shy of half time.
Warrington were denied a clean sheet by Paul Momirovski’s late try, but that was as good as it got for the Rhinos, who can now only catch The Wire on points difference.
Warrington 24 Leeds 6 - post-match reaction
> Why this Magic Weekend win all but sealed Warrington Wolves' play-off spot
> STAT ATTACK: Wire win the back-three battle and Nicholson's quiet effectiveness
> THE MORNING AFTER: Wire feel the Magic as Dufty and Tai make memories
> Everything Sam Burgess had to say about Wire's Magic Weekend win
> Why Dufty's Magic hat-trick nearly never happened, plus Fitzgibbon update
> WIRE SOCIAL: 'Three tries, one leg'
> Re-live the action from Elland Road as it happened here
Match facts:
Super League, Round 22 (Magic Weekend)
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Warrington Wolves...24 Leeds Rhinos...6
Wolves: Matt Dufty; Josh Thewlis, Rodrick Tai, Toby King, Matty Ashton; George Williams, Josh Drinkwater; Luke Yates, Sam Powell, Paul Vaughan, Matty Nicholson, John Bateman, Ben Currie. Subs: James Harrison, Zane Musgrove, Danny Walker, Jordy Crowther. 18th man: Adam Holroyd
Rhinos: Lachlan Miller; David Fusitu'a, Paul Momirovski, Harry Newman, Ash Handley; Jack Sinfield, Matt Frawley; Sam Lisone, Andy Ackers, Justin Sangare, James McDonnell, Rhyse Martin, Cameron Smith. Subs: James Bentley, Jarrod O'Connor, James Donaldson, Tom Nicholson-Watton. 18th man: Mickael Goudemand
Scoring: Thewlis penalty, 10mins, 2-0; Williams try, 38mins, Thewlis goal, 8-0; Dufty try, 51mins, 12-0; Dufty try, 56mins, Thewlis goal, 18-0; Momirovski try, 72mins, Martin goal, 18-6; Dufty try, 79mins, Thewlis goal, 24-6
Penalties: Wolves 7 Rhinos 2
Sin bin: Fusitu'a (50mins, professional foul), Tai (65mins), Lisone (65mins)
Referee: Chris Kendall
Attendance: 30,810 (Magic Weekend Day One)
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