Brett Hodgson, the Huddersfield fullback, scored a try and kicked eight goals yesterday to help clinch a comfortable win over Wigan that sets up a play-off date with St Helens next Saturday. Leroy Cudjoe scored a hat-trick and Shaun Lunt waded in with two more in an eight-try demolition to seal third place in the Super League. Elsewhere, a Luke Dorn hat-trick was in vain as Warrington wrapped up their Super League season with a win to prevent Harlequins from overtaking the Challenge Cup holders in 10th spot.
The Wolves, missing five members of their Wembley winning side, went into the clash with no chance of reaching the play-offs after Catalans' surprise win at St Helens on Friday. Harlequins, who led 16-10 at one stage, have now won only one of their past 12 games to plunge from fourth to 11th. In the NRL, Parramatta produced one of the most astonishing turnarounds in the history of the tournament to defeat St George Illawarra yesterday.
Beaten 37-0 by the same opponents nine days previously, the Eels defeated the Dragons, 25-12, at a packed WIN Jubilee Oval. The victory puts the Eels, coached by former St Helens supremo Daniel Anderson. firmly into the premiership running and they will host notoriously poor travellers Gold Coast in a sudden death semi-final at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday. The Dragons, meanwhile, face Brisbane on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.
* With agencies
