History-maker Keith Senior helped Leeds take full advantage of St Helens' surprise defeat on Friday as they closed the gap between the two at the top of the table to two points courtesy of a thrilling 43-30 win at Hull.

The evergreen centre, who became the first player in the modern era to reach 500 senior appearances when he led the reigning champions out at the KC Stadium, scored one of Brian McClennan's side's seven tries as they condemned Hull to a 12th defeat in their last 15, although the home side deserved every credit after recovering from being 30-6 down at one stage.

The two points, earned without injured playmaker Danny McGuire, represented Leeds' fourth straight win and their seventh in their last eight outings and saw them apply further pressure on the Saints who fell to an unexpected defeat 20-10 defeat at Salford on Friday.

Two second-half tries from full-back Richie Mathers finished off a comfortable evening's work for Warrington as they condemned the Celtic Crusaders to yet another defeat following the 22-6 result.

Warrington were able to climb above Wigan into seventh place with the victory and have given their play-off hopes further momentum after successive triumphs at the Halliwell Jones Stadium over Hull last week and, before that, a win in France over Catalans Dragons.

But, for the Crusaders, it is a case of failing to make any ground on Salford above them as they stay eight points adrift.

And it did not help the Welsh club either that talk has spread that they are in financial trouble to an extent that chairman Leighton Samuel had to issue a statement before the match committing his future to the Crusaders.

Jean-Philippe Baile scored a hat-trick as Catalans Dragons beat Hull KR 23-12 at Stade Gilbert Brutus.

The Dragons led 18-6 at the break and withheld a second-half fightback from the visitors before finally securing the points.

Baile scored his first try in the ninth minute following a great break from Clint Greenshields. The full-back's break exposed frailties in Rovers' defence and they were stretched too far when Baile grounded the ball.