LEEDS extended their lead at the top of the table to four points after a convincing 48-22 win over bottom of the table Wakefield Trinity-Wildcats.

Easter Monday’s round-nine games also saw St Helens lose at home to Hull FC by 28 points to 20, which helped the Rhinos widen the gap at the top.

Rob Burrow scored two tries for Leeds, while Union-bound Kevin Sinfield passed the 4,000-point mark for the club thanks to his goal kicking, which turned all eight of his side’s four-pointers into six.

It was an unexpected defeat for the Saints at Langtree Park, and only Hull’s third win of the season. Jamie Shaul crossed twice for the visitors, his second try an impressive sprint from the halfway line.

The other results in the round further demonstrated the tough competition for the all-important top eight, as favourites Warrington and Wigan were both beaten.

Salford were the team who saw off the Warriors, in a game which saw both teams finish with 12 men following an ongoing battle between Weller Hauraki and John Bateman.

They were sin-binned for fighting with around a quarter of an hour remaining, only to be sent off not long after returning to the pitch as they reacquainted themselves with each other.

Amid the fighting, Salford claimed a 24-18 win, with two tries from Niall Evalds and one each from Michael Dobson and Ben Jones-Bishop.

It was another miserable day for the Warrington Wolves, as they lost their second game of the Easter period in a 22-14 home defeat to Castleford.

Second-row Frankie Mariano was impressive for much of the game, and it was his early break which set the ball rolling for Castleford, leading to the opening try for Jordan Tansey.

Warrington will take solace from the fact they have Richie Myler back after six games out, and for a period during the first half their half-backs linked up well, leading to an excellent team try finished off by Ryan Atkins.

However, the home side’s overall performance reflected the position they now take up in the table — ninth.

Elsewhere, Hull KR’s resurgence continued as they beat the Huddersfield Giants by 20 points to 16 at Craven Park.

This was Rovers’ third win in a row, and one which takes them up to fourth in the table. And in the south of France, Catalans Dragons saw off the challenge from Widnes Vikings, with a 32-16 win.