Stefan Ratchford claimed an early double before Warrington Wolves withstood a Wakefield Trinity fightback to win 32-30 and Castleford Tigers were held by Hull KR despite Jy Hitchcox's four-try salvo.
Warrington responded to their home Super League defeat to Castleford last time out by making a blistering start at Belle Vue on Sunday, Ratchford going over twice in the first 10 minutes.
Tom Lineham added a third try midway through a first half which ended with Steve Price's men 22-6 to the good after Tinirau Arona's converted score got Wakefield on the board.
A Kyle Wood double gave Wakefield hope, but Kevin Brown crossed before Tom Johnstone and Pauli Pauli touched down late on for a spirited Wakefield side that ran out of time to complete a stunning comeback.
Harvey Livett scored 10 points from the tee and Bryson Goodwin got six after the interval as Warrington cut the gap to second-placed Wigan Warriors - who have a game in hand - to two points.
Castleford were denied a third win in a row when they were held 24-24 by Rovers at The Jungle.
Hitchcox scored two tries in each half, but Mason Masoe dotted down 10 minutes from time and Ryan Shaw converted a second Junior Vaivai try to make it honours even.
