The final weekend of the Qualifiers would determine the final automatic Super League 2017 position (either Huddersfield Giants or Hull KR), and also determine who would be playing in the million pound game next weekend.
The loser of the game between the Giants and KR would be the home team against either Salford Red Devils or, should Salford slip up against Batley Bulldogs, the London Broncos. If the Broncos could beat Featherstone by sixty points more than Salford beat Batley, then the Broncos would also make the million pound game.
The top two finished their season at Headingley on Thursday night and we brought you full coverage of the Rhinos
37-12 win of Leigh which saw last seasons Super League Champions end their Qualifiers campaign at the top of the pile.
It was a crucial match on Saturday lunchtime with the Giants travelling to Hull KR for a 'winner takes Super League' game which went right down to the wire. Brierley opened the Giants account but Blair grabbed one back for KR on sixteen. Cudjoe, Brierley and Murphy all added tries Huddersfield Giants before the interval to see them into the sheds with a 22-4 lead and seemingly Super League within their grasp. A brilliant fightback in the second half saw tries from Sio, Allgood and Thornley to tie up the scores at 22-22 on the hour mark. The only difference between the two sides was a seventh-third minute Brough drop goal which was enough to guarantee the Giants third place and 2017 Super League, pushing KR into the million pound game next Saturday.
The Red Devils weren't in the mood for defeat as they took the game to Batley from the off. Early tries from Sa'u and O' Brien put Salford 12-0 ahead before Reittie got one back for the home side. Further Red Devils tries for Hauraki (2), Johnson and Griffin extended the lead to 34-4 at the interval. Reittie scored his second for the Bulldogs just after the interval but Lui added a seventh Salford try just after the hour. Ulugia scored a seventh-fourth minute consolation for Batley before O'Brien completed the afternoons scoring for Salford to see the Red Devils to a 42-14 win to send them to Hull KR next Saturday afternoon to fight for their Super League life.
The London Broncos did what they could but it wasn't enough as they missed out on the Million Pound Game on points difference. Four first half tries from Williams (2), Harrison, and Kear gave them an 18-0 lead at home to Featherstone Rovers. A second half try from Garside and a hat-trick try from Williams made it 30-0. Hellewell and Bussey extended the lead to 42-0 before Davis scored Featherstone's first of the afternoon. The final try came from Ioane for a 46-6 win.
Final Standings
Playing Super League in 2017: Leigh Centurions,
Leeds Rhinos,
Huddersfield Giants
Million Pound Game: Hull KR v. Salford Red Devils
Playing Championship in 2017: London Broncos, Batley Bulldogs, Featherstone Rovers