LONDON: Denny Solomona's hat-trick helped Castleford round off the Super League regular season in style with a comprehensive 40-26 win over Widnes on Sunday.
Despite no semi-final spot on offer, this still proved an enthralling contest as Connor Farrell got visitors Widnes off to the perfect start.
But Australian Luke Dorn responded before Kiwi Solomona ran in two more tries before the interval, and things only got harder for the Vikings after the break.
Solomona's third try and further scores from Ben Crooks, Matt Cook and Paul McShane put the Tigers out of sight, although two late Corey Thompson and Patrick Ah Van tries made the score more respectable for Widnes.
Saturday's action saw Huddersfield needing to beat Hull KR to avoid the Million Pound Game promotion/relegation game, and Danny Brough's late drop-goal helped them do just that -- albeit by the skin of their teeth as they won 23-22.
It came after an astonishing comeback from 22-4 down at the break from the Robins, who now will lock horns with either Salford or London Broncos next weekend to preserve their ten-season stay in the top flight.
After former NRL man Maurice Blair's 16th-minute score, Ryan Brierley crossed twice with Leroy Cudjoe and Aaron Murphy also scoring to put Giants in the ascendancy.
But Rovers' Australian contingent came to the fore as Ken Sio and Mitch Allgood brought them roaring back before an Iain Thornley try levelled the scores.
Six minutes remained when Brough struck the decisive drop-goal, but Terry Campese still had time to hit the post with a late attempt of his own -- Rovers knowing a draw would have been enough to secure their own top-flight survival.
Warrington had already avenged their Wembley heartache on Friday, courtesy of a 23-6 win at Hull FC, and secured the League Leader's shield for the first time since 2011 in the process.
Warrington surrendered a two-score lead in the Challenge Cup final clash between these sides, but at 16-6 there would be no repeat in the league.
Declan Patton impressed with five goals but it was the return to Hull of Tom Lineham that proved decisive, as his brace gave the Wolves a firm advantage.
Kevin Penny also scored for the Wire, meaning Kiwi Carlos Tuimavave's effort was no more than a consolation, and Warrington will now enjoy a home semi-final against St Helens next week.
Saints themselves eased past Wakefield to warm up for their semi-final clash, as former Wests Tigers and Newcastle Knights fullback Shannon McDonnell ruled the roost with a second-half hat-trick in a 32-12 win.
Wigan complete the semi-finals lineup after a 48-24 win over Catalan Dragons on home soil, and will now face Hull FC in a repeat of the Challenge Cup semi-final.
Matty Smith scored 24 points -- including two tries -- while George Williams also bagged a double as eight-try Wigan ran riot.
Leeds finished the season on a positive note with a 37-12 win over promoted Leigh to top of the Qualifers on points difference -- with Brian McDermott's side and Leigh both winning six of their seven games.
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