Super League: Leeds Rhinos beat Catalans Dragons 28-6 to claim first win in Perpignan for four years | Rugby League News

Leeds Rhinos took their first win in Perpignan since the 2022 play-offs as Brodie Croft’s hat-trick helped lead them to a 28-6 win over Catalans Dragons.

It was Croft’s second hat-trick of the season, with Harry Newman and Lachie Miller also finding their way over the try line in the first half to set the pace after 40 minutes.

Dragons made a bright start but the Rhinos quickly took control, with Harry Newman scoring the opening try in the eighth minute before Jake Connor’s conversion put the visitors 6-0 ahead.

The Rhinos’ dominance never wavered, as the home side did not score until 22 seconds from time before adding the conversion after the final whistle.

The win moves Rhinos four points clear of Wigan Warriors at the top of the table with 15 wins from 18 this season and also marked captain Kallum Watkins’ 300th game for the club.

Hull KR suffer first home defeat in year at hands of Wakefield

Wakefield Trinity prop Caius Faatili scored two second-half tries to hand Betfred Super League champions Hull KR their first home defeat in a year on Saturday.

The Trinity substitute scored twice in quick succession as Daryl Powell’s side ground out a hard-fought 20-6 win at Craven Park to move level on points with second-placed Wigan.

The scores had been level at 6-6 at the end of a scrappy, penalty-ridden first half but, having scored the only try through Harvey Smith, Wakefield had been the more threatening side.

Smith found his way over from dummy half after nine minutes but the game remained tight.

Both sides were reduced to 12 men during the match, with Rovers’ Peta Hiku sin-binned for a late tackle before Trinity’s Ky Rodwell was shown a yellow card for a professional foul.

Rovers edged their way back into the contest with three penalties from Rhyse Martin.

Wakefield seized control as Faatili barged over twice in the space of six minutes before the hour, with Tyson Smoothy’s two conversions and a penalty opening up a commanding lead.

Joe Burgess spurned a chance to give Rovers late hope and Wakefield held on for their third successive win over the Robins, ending a 12-month unbeaten home run in the process.

Leigh keep play-off hopes alive

Leigh Leopards continued their push for a Betfred Super League play-off place as they held on for a nervy 24-18 win over Castleford Tigers.

The Leopards were twice pegged back by a determined Tigers side after opening up 12-point leads at the Progress With Unity Stadium, but ultimately did enough to record their ninth victory from 11 outings.

Castleford were much improved from the team thrashed 48-6 by Wakefield last week and were aggrieved when Jason Qareqare had a try disallowed – for a second time in the afternoon – late on.

David Armstrong impressed for Leigh, creating the first try for the equally influential Lachlan Lam and scoring two himself. Umyla Hanley also got on the scoresheet and Adam Cook converted all four tries.

Cas thought they had taken an early lead when Qareqare crashed over in the corner but replays showed him grounding his arm in touch as he dived over.

The Castleford supporters may have feared another heavy defeat after their Magic Weekend mauling by Wakefield when Armstrong increased the advantage on 16 minutes.

But the Tigers responded well to level the scores before the interval, starting as Sam Hall won a race to touch down from a Daejarn Asi kick.

The Leopards restored their superiority after the restart as Lam got away a grubber kick under pressure and Hanley pounced as the ball bobbled into the in-goal area.

Lam was the architect of another try soon another, unlocking the defence with a dummy and releasing Hughes, who in turn sent Armstrong clear for his second.

Castleford refused to give up and fought on, even after Senior was sin-binned for catching the head of Armstrong in a tackle.

Qareqare was left cursing his luck when he had a second try controversially ruled out by the video referee, this time for an obstruction.

Laulu-Togaga’e still set up a grandstand finish when he found a hole in the Leigh defence to score on the right five minutes from time but the hosts held off late pressure to claim a valuable two points.

Super League 2026 – upcoming key dates

• Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
• Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
• Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
• Grand Final: October 3

Sky Sports will show every game of the Super League live this season, including two matches each round exclusively live. The remaining five matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports+.