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Super League: A look back at 15 of the finest Easter moments

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Wigan's Thomas Leuluai tackles St Helens James Roby

It’s a date all Super League fans look forward to. The Easter weekend. Rivals collide. And drama is expected.

Here are some previous mouth-watering Super League belters with some added derby spice…

15. 2016 - Castleford 18-14 Leeds

Bradford's relegation from Super League left Leeds without their traditional Easter fixture. But there's a growing rivalry with the Castleford Tigers and the two sides provided an Easter classic in 2016.

Castleford led 12-0 early on, Andy Lynch and Jake Webster scoring, before Leeds hit back to lead at the break with Joel Moon, Kallum Watkins and Tom Briscoe all crossing.

Jake Webster scores for Castleford against Leeds
Image: Jake Webster scores for Castleford against Leeds

In the second half, the Tigers were denied by the video referee before Webster smashed his way through for his second try to snatch a late winner for Castleford.

14. 2010 - Leeds 20-20 Bradford

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Bradford set the pace with three tries through Chris Nero, Dave Halley and Steve Menzies before Lee Smith hit back for the Rhinos and Nero's second score appeared to put the game to bed. But Leeds summoned an inner strength with Brett Delaney and Kevin Sinfield both crossing.

It was then left for returning hero Smith to snatch a draw after collecting Danny McGuire's kick to the corner. Sinfield missed the touchline conversion and neither side could win it with a drop goal.

Kevin Sinfield in action for Leeds Rhinos in 2010
Image: Kevin Sinfield missed a crucial conversion for the Rhinos in 2010

13. 2003 - Wigan 24-22 St Helens

This contest looked like a routine Saints win when the half-time whistle blew, with Ian Millward's side leading 22-12 thanks to two tries from Darren Albert and one each for Micky Higham and Jason Hooper.

But Wigan had not read the script. Shaun Briscoe's try got them back in it, before Danny Tickle added a two-pointer. And with 20 minutes to play, it was Terry Newton who settled the game, crashing over from dummy-half to secure a priceless win.

12. 2005 - Wigan 22-20 St Helens

Legendary Wigan skipper Andy Farrell announced he would be moving to rugby union and Saracens the day before but the Warriors proved there was life beyond the captain.

Danny Tickle of Wigan prepares to kick at goal
Image: Danny Tickle scored the match-winning penalty for Wigan in 2005

The first half was a blinder. Saints outscored Wigan four tries to three, with Keiron Cunningham going over twice for the visitors. But a war of attrition ensued in the second half and two Danny Tickle penalties helped Warriors overcome the 20-18 half-time deficit to win 22-20.

11. 2013 - Leeds 18-18 Bradford

The Rhinos were the defending Super League champions in 2013, but the derbies with Bradford were beginning to lose their edge as the Bulls tumbled down the table. Leeds had led within 30 seconds, Kallum Watkins touching down but Bradford levelled through Adrian Purtell who returned from a heart attack the previous May.

The Bulls' Tom Olbison and Rhinos' Mitch Achurch traded tries, before Jamie Peacock scored against his former club. Then in the final minute, Adam Sidlow smashed his way over and Jamie Foster held his nerve to convert and snatch a share of the spoils for the Bulls.

Bradford Bulls' Adam Sidlow goes over to score a try in the final seconds during the Super League match at Leeds
Image: Adam Sidlow scores a last-gasp try for Bradford Bulls against Leeds

10. 2011 - Castleford 24-28 Wakefield

Wakefield were bottom and 24-8 behind, staring down the barrel at another defeat. Richie Mathers, Martin Aspinall, Jordan Thompson and Danny Orr all crossed for the Tigers as they appeared to be on their way to a routine victory. But John Kear's side had other ideas.

A 16-minute blitz turned the game on its head, with Kieran Hyde, Josh Griffin, Paul Johnson and Frankie Mariano all going over to stun the Castleford supporters inside the Jungle.

9. 2007 - Bradford 14-18 Leeds

The home side took an early advantage, Paul Deacon slotting two penalties. Leeds hit back through Scott Donald's four-pointer but after Brent Webb's sin-binning, Marcus St Hilaire crossed for the Bulls and then Lesley Vainikolo extended the lead.

Leeds Rhinos captain Danny McGuire
Image: Danny McGuire in his salad days at Leeds Rhinos

Leeds grew into the game and Gareth Ellis touched down from a Sinfield kick. The game-winning moment came with three minutes remaining when Danny McGuire broke free before feeding Donald who raced clear to score.

8. 1999 - Wigan 12-14 St Helens

Wigan hit the front through Greg Florimo before Anthony Sullivan and Paul Atcheson replied for St Helens. The game was nip and tuck throughout until Wigan thought they had sealed it thanks to a Danny Moore score with 10 minutes left. But the Saints had the last laugh.

A bloodied and bandaged Kevin Iro was the match winner, crashing through to seal a 14-12 win.

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7. 2006 - Leeds 18-20 Bradford

In a rematch of the 2005 Grand Final, Jamie Peacock captained the Rhinos against the club he lifted the trophy with the season before. But the talk revolved round Brian Noble and whether or not the Bulls' coach would be leaving for Wigan. And he masterminded a final victory over Bradford's arch-rivals before his departure.

Stanley Gene gave the Bulls the lead before Gareth Ellis replied for Leeds.

Brian Noble
Image: Brian Noble masterminded Easter victory for Bradford Bulls in 2006 before he departed to Wigan

Rob Burrow and Iestyn Harris exchanged tries before Marcus Bai pushed Bradford in front. Scores from Richie Mathers and Burrow looked to have won the game for Leeds, but Brett Ferres popped up out wide to steal victory.

6. 2001 - Wigan 22-22 St Helens

Both teams scored early tries, Sean Long for Saints and Kris Radlinski for Wigan, before Kevin Iro edged St Helens in front. But things slipped out of their grasp, Steve Renouf crossing twice before Radlinski capitalised on an Anthony Sullivan error for his second.

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St Helens looked dead and buried. But Dwayne West replied and on 77 minutes Vila Matautia's offload hit Paul Sculthorpe on the knee and he gathered for a four-pointer. The video referee confirmed the try and Long's conversion tied the game.

5. 2014 - Hull KR 21-20 Hull FC

The introduction of the Hull derby to the Easter calendar has added some crackers. And 2014 at Craven Park was one of the best. FC's Jordan Rankin and KR's Kevin Larroyer traded early tries before Michael Weyman's effort put the Robins in front at the break.

Hull KR's Craig Hall celebrates his drop-goal to win the game against Hull FC
Image: Hull KR's Craig Hall celebrates his drop-goal to win the game against Hull FC

Josh Bowden's four-pointer levelled things up at 10-10 but two tries from Graeme Horne had the red and white side of Hull dreaming of victory.

But Danny Houghton sneaked over and then Fetuli Talanoa crossed to level things up at 20-20 before former FC man Craig Hall dropped a late, late goal to seal the game.

4. 2016 - Hull KR 20-22 Hull FC

Rovers had it all to themselves for the majority, Ryan Shaw and Ken Sio's tries putting them 12-0 up at half-time before Iain Thornley's score and Josh Mantellato's penalty extended the lead to 20-0. But with 18 minutes left, the game sparked into life.

Hull FC's Steve Michaels scores the winning try against Hull KR
Image: Hull FC's Steve Michaels scores the winning try against Hull KR

Jamie Shaul's long-range effort and Danny Houghton's score gave FC hope before Mahe Fonua brought them within touching distance. And it was left to Steve Michaels to sidestep his way through the Rovers' defence for the decisive try, equalling the scores. Marc Sneyd slotted the conversion to send the away end into utter delirium.

3. 2011 - Wigan 28-24 St Helens

The home fans seemed to be getting everything their own way, with Wigan leading 22-10 thanks to two tries each from Josh Charnley and Pat Richards. Saints hit back through Jamie Foster and Tommy Makinson, but the Warriors were not to be denied.

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They hammered away at the Saints' line until the final minute when Liam Farrell finally smashed the door wide open, diving through off a short ball from Paul Deacon to settle the game and a dramatic two points in their favour.

2. 2008 - Hull KR 11-10 Hull FC

The battle for Hull in 2008 had some extra spice. Paul Cooke sent shockwaves through Humberside in 2007, quitting FC for KR before he received a six-week ban from the RFL after being found guilty of misconduct. This was his first game back.

Hull KR's James Webster scores the winning point with a drop kick against Hull FC
Image: Hull KR's James Webster scores the winning point with a drop kick against Hull FC

Jake Webster had the Robins in front before Daniel Fitzhenry made it 10-0 in the second half. Then Danny Tickle and Kirk Yeaman both crossed to level the game. With the game poised on a knife edge Cooke's half-back partner James Webster won the day. He dropped a goal that barely cleared the bar in high winds at Craven Park, causing pandemonium in the home end.

1. 2004 - St Helens 21-21 Wigan

It's the Good Friday everyone remembers. The game that had everything. St Helens unbeaten, up against a Wigan side then struggling in the league. As expected, Ian Millward's men opened up a lead by half-time through Lee Gilmour and Jon Wilkin. But the fireworks went off in the second half.

Danny Orr and Willie Talau traded tries before video referee David Campbell ruled Terry Newton had got the tiniest of fingertips to the ball to bring Wigan level, 20-all.

Andy Farrell in action for  Wigan
Image: Andy Farrell who was involved in Wigan's epic Good Friday draw with St Helens

And the touch paper was lit when Newton and Wilkin traded punches at a ruck. Samoan Dom Feaunati waded in, unleashing on Stephen Wild and earning himself a retrospective ban before Andy Farrell and Paul Sculthorpe traded niceties. Somehow, only Newton and Wilkin got the bin. More drama followed. First, Farrell thought he had won it for Wigan with a late drop goal, but Sean Long had other ideas, landing a one-pointer to secure a draw.

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