Warrington Wolves 24-6 Leeds Rhinos: Matt Dufty hat-trick leads Wolves to victory

Warrington fell short of the points needed to usurp Hull KR, who could reclaim top spot from Wigan on Sunday if they beat Catalans.

Leeds’ defeat at Elland Road means they failed to take the chance to move within two points of the play-offs and also set a marker on fourth-placed St Helens, who were defeated by leaders Wigan earlier on Saturday.

Williams’ score on the verge of the half-time hooter came courtesy of a crunching tackle from Tai on Lachlan Miller to dispossess the Leeds full-back.

The Wire then duly regained possession, teeing up Williams to run in from the halfway line to take in an eight-point lead at the break following a finely-poised opening half.

After the break, it was Warrington who looked more likely to add to their narrow tally, with Josh Drinkwater’s kick met by Matty Ashton, who was denied by the onrushing Fuisitu’a who went to the bin for a professional foul.

The Wire did not take long to make their advantage count as Dufty weaved his way into a gap in the Leeds backline to touch down, but Thewlis missed the extras.

Leeds, who were without half-back Brodie Croft, who flew back to Australia earlier this week on compassionate leave, then began to see the game escape them as a brilliant succession of passes saw Dufty teed up by Williams to go over for his second try.

With plenty at stake, both sides were then reduced to 12 in the aftermath of a brawl which was triggered after Lisone was tackled late by Tai with the pair sent to the bin by referee Chris Kendall.

The Rhinos did score in impressive fashion with just under 10 minutes left on the clock as Rhyse Martin put in a superb kick for Momirovski to chase and ground.

Dufty’s late dash to the line, though, sealed the win and severely dented Leeds’ late-season play-off chase.