A Leeds Rhinos side shorn of key man Zak Hardaker saw their unbeaten start to the Super League season ended by an 18-6 defeat to Warrington Wolves.

Full-back Hardaker was stood down for Friday's clash at the Halliwell Jones Stadium amid a police investigation into an assault the England man is alleged to have been involved in.

Tries from Kevin Penny, Stefan Ratchford and Ryan Atkins put Warrington 18 points ahead, with Ratchford's boot adding the extras on each occasion.

Tom Briscoe dotted down after a magnificent flowing move involving Ryan Hall, Kevin Sinfield and Kallum Watkins, but it was not enough to launch a comeback as Warrington's steadfast defence saw them home in an entertaining clash.

St Helens took Leeds' spot at the top of the standings with a 30-20 win at Widnes Vikings.

Widnes had gone in at the interval 14-6 to the good thanks to Eamon O'Carroll and Patrick Ah Van as well as a Stefan Marsh effort from the tee.

However, Saints roared back in the second half and reduced the arrears after less than two minutes as Atelea Vea got on the end of Jon Wilkin's kick.

With momentum in Saints' favour, Luke Thompson, Jordan Turner and Lance Hohaia each touched down in a seven-minute burst to take the game away from Widnes.

In Friday's third game, Wigan overcame Hull FC 13-12 at the DW Stadium in a tight contest ultimately settled by Matty Smith's drop goal, with the visitors unable to add to Callum Lancaster's converted score eight minutes from time to slip to a fourth defeat from five games this term.