Cooke seals derby win

Forgotten man Paul Cooke gave both sides of the River Hull a timely reminder of his abilities with a stunning performance that earned Hull KR a 24-18 derby win against their bitter rivals Hull FC in the engage Super League.

Since shocking the game in 2007 when he resigned from Hull to take up a contract with his boyhood team, the 28-year-old has struggled to consistently produce his best form and has often been left in the shadows by his half-back partner Michael Dobson.

But the talismanic stand-off delivered when it mattered the most, scoring two tries and creating another as the Robins cemented their place in the top four while condemning Hull to a 14th defeat in 18 games to increase the heat on their crestfallen coach Richard Agar.

Tony Puletua grabbed a brace of tries as St Helens stretched their lead at the top of the league by ruthlessly defeating Harlequins 44-24.

Puletua crossed twice in the first half as Saints ran in six tries before the interval, and two more after the break in a dominant display.

For Harlequins it is a sixth successive defeat which leaves their play-off hopes in severe jeopardy.

Finally, Bradford Bulls ended their victory drought by gaining revenge against Celtic Crusaders with a 34-12 victory.

This was the Crusaders' only chance this season to get home and away victories, having dramatically beaten Bradford at the Grattan Stadium 30-24 back in May for their debut Super League victory.

And it was with some nerves that Steve McNamara's Bulls stepped out onto the Brewery Field aiming to arrest a five-match run of defeats that has seen them drop to 12th in the table and lie five points adrift of 11th-placed Hull.