Tuesday, 7 November 2023

2022 Women's Super League Groups 1/2 Round 3-Grand Final & Women's Nines Finals (Catch Up)

 After a very busy year both on and offline, the blog suffered a huge delay to the point that the 2023 season began and ran its course to completion while 2022 was left unfinished. As such, the catchup of 2022 will be in Videos, following this 2023 will have a personal take on my record season of 114 attendances.

2022 Women's Super League Groups 1/2 Round 3-Grand Final & Women's Nines Finals 



Thursday, 2 November 2023

2022 Super League Rounds 21-Grand Final (Catch-Up)

After a very busy year both on and offline, the blog suffered a huge delay to the point that the 2023 season began and ran its course to completion while 2022 was left unfinished. As such, the catchup of 2022 will be in Videos, following this 2023 will have a personal take on my record season of 114 attendances.

Men's Super League Rounds 21-27, Play-offs and Grand Final.

Thursday, 20 April 2023

2022 Super League Round 18- 20 (Catch-Up)

Round 18 saw the return of Magic Weekend to the summer and the first fans could fully attend since 2019 in Newcastle.


Trinity Tumble To Terrific Toulouse

A superb second half comeback from Toulouse Olympique saw them stun Wakefield Trinity with a 36-28 win in the opening game of the weekend at St James' Park. Trinity raced into a 12-0 lead with tries from Liam Hood and Matt Ashurst with Max Jowitt converting twice. Toulouse cut the gap with a Joe Bretherton try for 12-4 but a Jowitt penalty goal and David Fifita try which Jowitt improved saw Trin open up a 20-4 lead into the interval. 

Toulouse completed the turnaround within eight minutes of the restart as Lambert Belmas, Matty Russell and Nathan Peats all crossed for tries which Hankinson converted for 22-20. The charge continued with Latrell Schmaukel (Hankinson conv) touching down ahead of a second score from Russell for a 32-20 lead. The spree was finally halted with two minutes to go as Kelepi Tanginoa crossed for Wakefield with Jowitt converting, the gap was a single score at 32-26 and only grew in the final seconds as Guy Armitage sealed the win with a try which Hankinson improved for a 38-26 final score. 

Saints Stun Warriors 

St Helens staged a late fightback to secure a 20-18 derby victory over Wigan Warriors in the second game of the weekend. Saints struck first with a penalty goal from Jon Bennison for 2-0 inside six minutes before Wigan hit back on the half-hour mark with a Bevan French try which Harry Smith converted for a 6-2 lead into the interval.

Wigan extended the lead to 12-2 within three minutes of the restart with John Bateman (Smith conv) crossing but Saints fought back with tries from Joe Batchelor and Jack Welsby for 12-10 before a Bennison penalty levelled at 12-12 on 66 minutes. Wigan regained the lead with French's second score of the afternoon with Smith kicking for 18-12. However, the joy turned to sorrow in the final minutes with Regan Grace and Jonny Lomax touching down for St Helens to seal the 20-18 success.


Rhinos Rally Past Tigers 

Leeds Rhinos secured Derby delight with a 34-20 success over Castleford Tigers. The Rhinos struck first with Matt Prior crossing for a try which Rhyse Martin converted for 6-0 before Jake Mamo responded for the Tigers with Danny Richardson levelling with the boot at 6-6. The Tigers opened up a narrow lead into the interval as Bureta Faraimo crossed for 10-6.

Leeds hit back superbly to lead 22-10 on the hour after scores from Ash Handley and Aidan Sezer were improved by Martin followed by a Richie Myler try. The spree continued with James Bentley and Liam Sutcliffe touching down and Martin kicking for a huge 34-10 lead. Cas had the final marks on the scoreline as Faraimo complete his hat-trick with Richardson converting the latter in the 34-20 loss. 

Giants Defeat Devils 


Huddersfield Giants survived a second-half fightback to secure a 30-18 win over Salford Red Devils in the opening game of Day 2. The hosts raced into an 18-0 lead with tries from Toby King, Owen Trout and Chris McQueen all being converted by Oliver Russell. Salford got off the mark with a Deon Cross try which Marc Sneyd converted but a Jermaine McGillvary score saw Russell convert for 24-6 into the interval. 

Salford struck twice after the restart to cut the gap to 24-18 with Brodie Croft and Sam Luckley (Sneyd convs) but the joy of the afternoon went to the Giants as McGillvary sealed his brace and Russell converted for a 30-18 final score. 


Wolves Slay Dragons

Warrington Wolves left Magic in high spirits after a comfortable 36-10 defeat of Catalans Dragons. The Wolves made he perfect start with Gareth Widdop crossing inside two minutes for 4-0 but they were pegged back by a Samisoni Langi try which Sam Tomkins converted for 6-4 after just eight minutes. Warrington regained the lead with Jake Wardle touching down and Stefan Ratchford converting before adding a penalty goal for 12-6. The advantage into the interval was 24-6 after Matty Nicholson went in for a try which Ratchford improved and in the final seconds of the half, he swept over a penalty goal. 

The Wolves resumed control after the restart with Josh Thewlis going in on45minutes with Ratchford kicking for30-6. Catalans reduced the deficit to 30-10 thanks to a Tomkins try but the win for the Wolves was wrapped up by George Williams' try with Ratchford sixth success with the boot making it a 36-10 final score. 


FC Claim Hull Derby Success Over Robins

Hull FC sealed the bragging rights with a 34-28 derby win over city rivals Hull Kingston Rovers in the final game of the weekend. FC opened up an early lead at 2-0 after Luke Gale converted a penalty goal but were pegged back as Matt Parcell crossed for Rovers to make it 4-2. FC regained the lead with tries from Conner Wynne and Joe Lovodua which Gale converted for 14-4 but the sides went into the interval level at 14-14 as Sam Wood and Mikey Lewis both crossed for tries with Lachlan Coote converting the former. 

FC began the second half perfectly as Ellis Longstaff crossed twice withing five minutes of the restart with Gale improving both efforts for a 26-14 advantage that was cut to us two points on the hour after Jimmy Keinhorst crossed and Lewis claimed a second try. Lewis wrapped up his hat-trick to push KR into a 28-26 lead but the joy was soured by Josh Simm's score which regained the lead at 32-28 for FC before Gale confirmed the 34-28 success with a late penalty goal. 

Round 19 saw some sides looking to recover from Magic losses while others hoped to continue good form.


Saints Smash Giants 

St Helens continued their great form with a comfortable 25-0 win over Huddersfield Giants at the Totally Wicked Stadium. A close first half saw just one score with Joe Batchelor crossing for a try which Jonny Lomax converted for a 6-0 advantage into the interval. Saints extended the lead with an Agnatius Passi try which Lomax improved before adding a penalty goal a few minutes later for 14-0. Jack Welsby crossed to make the advantage 18-0 before a self-converted try from Lomax and Welsby drop goal late on confirmed the 25-0 rout. 

Warriors Hammer Hull FC

Wigan Warriors eased to a huge 60-0 humbling of Hull FC at the DW Stadium. An opening brace from Bevan French saw Harry Smith convert twice for 12-0 before Jai Field crossed for 18-0 inside the half hour mark. French completed a 19-minute hat-trick before crossing for a fourth on 38 minutes with Smith again converting twice for a comfortable 28-0 lead into the interval. 

French wasted no time on crossing for his fifth try of the evening within three minutes of the restart before Field sealed his brace with Smith kicking for 40-0 on 48 minutes. French crossed twice more before the hour for a magnificent seven- setting a new Super League record in the process (Smith conv) for a 50-0 lead. The gloss on a stunning victory came from a Liam Marshall try which Smith improved before crossing late on for a try of his own for the 60-0 final score. 


Tigers Triumph Over Wolves

Castleford Tigers returned to winning ways with a 35-22 win over Warrington Wolves at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle. An early brace from Derrell Olpherts and conversions from Danny Richardson saw the Tigers open up a 12-0 lead. Richardson crossed for a try of his own on 17 minutes and converted before adding a 34th minute drop goal for 19-0. A dominant first half ended with Niall Evalds crossing for a try to send the sides into the interval at 23-0. 

Cas resumed their control within eight minutes of the restart as Jason Qareqare touched down for 27-0. The Wolves mounted a comeback with Ben Currie, Matty Ashton and Daryl Clark all crossing for tries, Stefan Ratchford converted twice to close the gap to 27-16. Cas halted the spree with Alex Sutcliffe's try which Richardson improved for 33-16. Ex-Tiger Oliver Holmes (Ratchford conv) crossed for the Wolves to make it 33-22 but the hosts wrapped up a 35-22 win with a late penalty goal from Richardson. 

Toulouse Stun Rhinos

Toulouse Olympique boosted their survival hopes with a comfortable 20-6 win over Leeds Rhinos at the Stade Ernest Wallon. The hosts edged ahead with a Chris Hankinson penalty goal before opening up an 8-0 lead as Latrell Schmaukel touched down for a try which Hankinson improved. The advantage was 14-0 into the interval after Hankinson improved a try from Matty Russell on the half hour mark. 

Leeds finally got off the mark on 69 minutes with a Brad Dwyer try which Rhyse Martin improved for 14-6 but it was to be their only joy as Joe Bretherton crossed late on with Hankinson kicking for the 20-6 victory. 


Robins Hold Off Trinity

Hull Kingston Rovers sealed a narrow 15-10 success over Wakefield Trinity at Sewell Group Craven Park on Sunday afternoon. The visitors struck first with Max Jowitt crossing for 4-0 and it proved to be the solitary score of the first half as it remained 4-0 into the interval 

The Robins levelled within a minute of the restart as Jimmy Keinhorst touched down for 4-4 before Ethan Ryan crossed for 8-4. KR extended the lead with a self-converted score from Lachlan Coote and Will Dagger drop goal for 15-4. Trinity cut the gap to 15-10 with a Lewis Murphy try which Mason Lino converted to set-up a tense finish but KR held on for the win. 


Devils Delight in Dragons Defeat

Salford Red Devils eased to a 32-6 win over Catalans Dragons at the AJ Bell Stadium to complete the round. The Dragons struck first through Joe Chan with Sam Tomkins converting for 6-0. A Ken Sio brace and Marc Sneyd conversion and penalty goal saw Salford move into a 12-6 advantage at the interval. Salford's spree continued with Brodie Croft's try which Sneyd improved before adding a penalty for 20-6 on the hour. The win was wrapped up by a hat-trick try for Sio and Jack Ormondroyd crossing with Sneyd converting twice for the 32-6 final score. 

Round 20 saw two huge wins before the round became a close battle with two scores or less as a wining margin in the other four clashes. 

Rhinos Rout Warriors

Leeds Rhinos stunned Wigan Warriors with a huge 42-12 success on Thursday night at Headingley. The Rhinos raced into a 12-0 lead with tries from Liam Sutcliffe and James Bentley which Rhyse Martin improved. Wigan hit back through Bevan French with Harry Smith converting for 12-6 but they went into the interval trailing 24-6 after a self-converted try from Martin who also improved Cam Smith's score which followed.

Leeds resumed control within six minutes of the restart as Harry Newman touched down and Martin converted or 30-6. Wigan cut the gap to 30-12 with a Jake Bibby score and Smith conversion. Leeds wrapped up the victory with tries from Brad Dwyer and Muizz Mustapha with Martin rounding off the night with seven successes in the 42-12 win. 

Hull FC Humbled By Terrific Tigers

Castleford Tigers stormed to a 48-18 hammering of Hull FC at the MKM Stadium. The Tigers opened up an early 8-0 lead with a Danny Richardson penalty goal and conversion to Derrell Olphertstry, FC hit back through Miteli Vulikijapani's try which Luke Gale converted before improving efforts from Darnell McInosh and Danny Houghton for an 18-8 advantage, The gap was 18-14 into the interval after Olpherts crossed for his second try which Richardson converted.

A three minute brace from Bureta Faraimo (Richardson conv) saw the Tigers regain the lead at 24-18 before taking control in a dominant second half where FC were kept scoreless while a Suaia Matagi try and a second brace from Olpherts saw him reach four scores for the evening. Richardson swept over three conversions for a haul of seven with Alex Sutcliffe crossing in the final minutes to wrap up a superb 46-18 victory. 


Robins Stun Wolves With Late Charge

Hull Kingston Rovers continued their good form with a 30-22 win over Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The hosts raced into a 14-0 lead with Stefan Ratchford kicking a penalty goal before improving a Jake Wardle brace. KR got off the mark with Ben Crooks and Sam Wood both crossing, Lachlan Coote and Will Dagger converted for 14-12 with the gap being 16-12 into the interval after a Ratchford penalty goal.

Warrington make it a two score gap with Thomas Mikaele touching down for a try which Ratchford improved for 22-12.The Robins staged a superb comeback which began with Matt Parcell crossing ahead of scores from Ethan Ryan and Dagger, Coote converting the lot to seal the 30-22 success. 

Dragons Drop Goal Guts Giants

Catalans Dragons returned to winning ways with a narrow 13-12 victory over Huddersfield Giants at the Stade Gilbert Brutus. The sides shared the points in a tight first half which saw Chris McQueen cross for 4-0 before Arthur Romano went over for the Dragons to make it 4-4 into the interval. 

Catalans went ahead within three minutes of the restart as Ben Jullien touched down and Sam Tomkins converted for 10-4 before the visitors levelled thanks to a Danny Levi try and Oliver Russell conversion at 10-10. Will Pryce gave the Giants a narrow 12-10 lead with a penalty goal but their joy was soured by Tomkins' converting a penalty goal for 12-12 before sweeping over a last-gasp drop to to complete the 13-12 win. ty 


Devils Delight In Toulouse Toppling 

Toulouse Olympique's winning run came to an end with a 24-11 defeat to Salford Red Devils at the Stade Ernest Wallon. Toulouse made the perfect start as Mathieu Jussaume crossed for a try which Chris Hankinson converted for 6-0. Salford hit back with a Joe Burgess try and Marc Sneyd conversion for 6-6 before a Tony Gigot drop goal and Hankinson penalty goal sent Toulouse into the interval leading 9-6.

Salford went ahead with a Ken Sio score within nine minutes of the restart as 10-9 before a third Hankinson penalty made it 11-10 on 55 minutes, Salford regained the lead with a second score from Burgess (Sneyd conv) to make it 16-11 before a Sneyd penalty goal and a conversion to a second Sio score wrapped up the 24-11 success. 

Last-Gasp Saints Stun Trinity

St Helens came from 12-0 down to seal a 13-12 Golden Point win against Wakefield Trinity at the Be Well Support Stadium. Wakefield opened up a 10-0 first half lead with Jorge Taufua and Jack Croft crossing for tries and Mason Lino converting a penalty in-between. 

Lino extended the lead to 12-0 with a second penalty goal before St Helens finally got off the mark with a Regan Grace try and Jonny Lomax conversion to make it 12-6. The sides were level on 69 minutes as Jon Bennison crossed and Lomax kicked for 12-12 and the equality remained until the end of the 80 minutes which resulted in Golden Point extra time. Jack Welsby became the hero for the visitors in sweeping over a drop goal to complete the comeback and seal the 13-12 victory.

Friday, 27 January 2023

2022 Super League Round 17 (Catch-Up)

 The catch up continues in Round 17 


Hudds Halted As Tigers Triumph

Castleford Tigers extended their good form with a 26-18 win over Huddersfield Giants at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle. The Tigers roared into a 20-0 lead inside the half hour thanks to a brace from Derrell Olpherts and try from Jake Trueman with Danny Richardson converting the lot and adding a penalty goal. Hudds cut the gap though with Jermaine McGillvary crossing on the wing and Will Pryce converting for 20-6 into the interval.

Ex-Giants winger Jake Mamo crossed for Cas within six minutes of the restart for 24-6 before Richardson added a second penalty goal of the evening to make the lead 26-6. Hudds mounted a late fightback with a Chris McQueen try which Pryce converted before crossing for a score of his own and kicking for 26-18 but the Tigers held on for the victory. 

Saints Stunned By Delighted Dragons

St Helens had a dip in form as they suffered a narrow 20-18 loss to Catalans Dragons at the Stade Gilbert Brutus. The visitors opened the scoring with a try from Sione Mata'utia for a 4-0 lead inside four minutes. The lead was doubled on 15 minutes as Tommy Makinson crossed before Mathieu Laguerre crossed to cut the gap to 8-4 on the half hour. Catalans completed the turnaround with a Josh Drinkwater try and Sam Tomkins conversion in the final minute of the half  to lead 10-8 into the interval.

The lead changed again within four minutes of the restart as Ben Davies crossed for 12-10 before a Samisoni Langi effort saw Tomkins convert for 16-12. Catalans extended their lead to 20-12 with a Dean Whare try but were pegged back by a Jack Welsby effort which Davies converted for 20-18 but the Dragons held on for the win with strong defence in the late stages. 


Rhinos Rout Hapless Hull FC

Leeds Rhinos cruised to a huge 62-16 win over Hull FC at the KCOM Stadium. The visitors raced into a 12-0 lead with Mikolaj Oledzki and Ash Handley both crossing for tries which Rhyse Martin converted. The hosts hit back with a rapid brace as Darnell McIntosh and Danny Houghton crossed a minute apart with McIntosh converting for 12-10. Leeds regained their two score lead into the interval with Handley claiming his second try and Kruise Leeming crossing with Martin kicking for 22-10.

Hull opened the scoring in the second half with a Chris Satae try which Josh Griffin converted for 22-16 but their joy was short lived as Leeds took control with a second score from Leeming and tries from Richie Myler, Liam Sutcliffe and David Fusitu'a with Martin converting the lot for 46-16

Handley completed his hat-trick on 69 minutes before crossing twice more in the final ten minutes for a quintet of tries with Martin improving twice to complete the 62-16 rout. 

Olympique Overcome Robins

Toulouse Olympique boosted their survival hopes with a comfortable 28-6 win over Hull Kingston Rovers at Stade Ernest Wallon. The hosts struck first with Latrell Schmaukel crossing and Chris Hankinson converting for a 6-0 lead that increased to 8-0 with a penalty goal from Hankinson and the two score leas remained into the interval.

Paul Marcon touched down to extend the lead with Hankinson converting before adding a penalty goal a few minutes later and scoring a self-converted try to open up a huge 22-0 lead on the hour mark. The Robins ended the spree with an Albert Vete try and Will Dagger conversion for 22-6 but the final say went to the hosts with Olly Ashall-Bott crossing and Hankinson converting for a sixth success to wrap up the 28-6 victory. 


Trinity Toppled By Warriors

Wigan Warriors extended their goof away form with a 46-22 success over Wakefield Trinity at the Be Well Support Stadium. Wigan raced into an 18-0 lead inside 15 minutes with tries from Kai Pearce-Paul, Liam Marshall and Liam Farrell all converted by Harry Smith. Wakefield responded with a rapid double from Max Jowitt and Jay Pitts with Mason Lino converting twice for 18-12. Wigan went in for two scores for a 28-12 lead at the interval thanks to Bevan French and Abbas Miski with Smith converting just the former.

Miski and French completed try braces within seven minutes of the restart with Smith's kicking success creating a huge 40-12 lead. Trinity cut the gap with two scores just after the hour mark as Kyle Evans (Lino conv) touched down ahead of a second try for Jowitt to make it 40-22 but the final say went Pearce Paul who scored his second try which Smith improved for a 46-22 final score. 

Salford Comeback Stuns Wolves

Salford Red Devils stages a stunning comeback to secure a 32-24 win over Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.The visitors struck first with a try from Rhys Williams before Deon Cross doubled the lead to 8-0 with a 13th minute effort. Warrington cut the deficit to 8-6 as Daryl Clark touched down and Stefan Ratchford converted to make it a two point gap which remained into the interval. 

Warrington completed the turnaround within a minute of the restart as Ratchford crossed and converted for 12-8 before he improved efforts from Gareth Widdop and Josh Thewlis to open up a 24-8 advantage. Salford responded with Chris Atkin crossing and Marc Sneyd converting for 24-14 on 56 minutes and it looked to be their only joy of the second half until three tries in five minutes saw them stun the hosts as Jack Ormondroyd (2) and Ryan Brierley touched down with Sneyd converting the lot to seal the 32-24 win. 

Tuesday, 17 January 2023

2022 Super League Round 16 (Catch-Up)

 The catchup continues with Round 16


Saints Rout Rhinos

St Helens extended their good form with a comfortable 42-12 win over Leeds Rhinos at the Totally Wicked Stadium. The hosts raced into a 12-0 lead as Konrad Hurrell and Alex Walmsley crossed for tries which Tommy Makinson converted. Leeds hit back through Harry Newman's try and Rhyse Martin's conversion but went into the interval two scores behind after Regan Grace crossed for 16-6. 

Hurrell claimed his second score within five minutes of the restart before a Bodene Thompson try and Martin conversion cut the gap to 20-12. Saints regained control with scores from Agnatius Paasi, Joe Batchelor and Dan Norman with Makinson converting twice for a huge 36-12 lead. The misery only grew for Leeds late on with Zane Tetevano sent off before Walmsley crossed for his second try and Makinson converted for a 42-12 final score. 

Wolves Hold Off Hull FC 

Warrington Wolves edged a narrow 4-0 win over Hull FC at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in a close contest. The contest became the first in the 2022 season to not see a try scored with the points coming in the 45th and 65th minutes as Stefan Ratchford converted two penalty goals. 


Miski Quartet As Warriors Topple Toulouse

Wigan Warriors continued their perfect home form with a comfortable 40-6 win over Toulouse Olympique at the DW Stadium. A rapid start from the hosts saw Abbas Miski cross for the opening try inside three minutes with Harry Smith converting for 6-0. Liam Farrell extended the lead to 10-0 with a try seven minutes later before Miski completed his hat-trick on the half hour mark, Smith converting for a 22-0 lead. The gap improved to 28-0 at the interval with a Bevan French try which Smith kicked for his fourth success of the half.

Toulouse got off the mark with a Dominique Peyroux try within six minutes of the restart and Chris Hankinson converted for 30-6. However, it proved to be the only joy for the visitors as Wigan wrapped up the comfortable 40-6 win with a Jai Field effort and a fourth of the evening for Miski with Smith converting both to end on six successes. 

Super Salford Trounce Trinity 

Salford Red Devils stormed to a huge 74-10 victory over Wakefield Trinity at the AJ Bell Stadium. The visitors struck first with James Batchelor crossing inside three minutes and Mason Lino converting for 6-0. Salford replied through Tim Lafai before Deon Cross touched down and with Marc Sneyd converting twice, the hosts led 12-6. The lead jumped to 32-6 at the interval after a 15 minute spree saw Joe Burgess (2), Ken Sio and Ryan Brierley all cross for tries with Sneyd converting just the latter but also adding a penalty goal in the final seconds. 

The hosts's control resumed just three minutes after the restart with a rapid double as Brodie Croft and Kallum Watkins both touched down for tries which Sneyd improved for 44-6. Trinity hit back with a Lewis Murphy effort for 44-10 but it was a short lived joy as Sio, Cross and Brierley all completed braces and Sitaleki Akuola crossed with Sneyd converting the lot for a massive 68-10 advantage. The final say came with four minutes remaining as Burgess sealed his hat-trick and Sneyd ended on 11 successes to wrap up the 74-10 rout. 


Giants Glory At Rovers

Huddersfield Giants ended June on a high with a 38-10 win over Hull Kingston Rovers at Sewell Group Craven Park. The Robins struck first as Matt Parcell crossed for 4-0 inside three minutes. A brace from Leroy Cudjoe after the half hour saw Will Pryce add a conversion to ensure Hudds led 10-4 into the interval. 

Luke Yates extended the Giants' lead within a minute of the restart and Pryce converted for 16-4 before Ricky Leutele crossed for 20-4 on 43 minutes. Cudjoe sealed his hat-trick on 53 minutes with Pryce converting before adding a self converted score Tto increase the lead to 32-4. Jermaine McGillvary crossed to extend the lead further with Pryce adding a fifth success of the afternoon. The final say though went to the hosts as Matty Storton touched down three minutes from the end  with Lachlan Coote converting for 38-10. 


Tigers Triumph Over Dragons

Castleford Tigers sealed a narrow 17-16 win in Golden Point Extra Time against Catalans Dragons at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle. A close first quarter saw the sides locked level before Cheyse Blair crossed for the opening try on 27 minutes with Danny Richardson converting for 6-0. Catalans levelled with a Michael McIlorum try which saw Sam Tomkins kick for 6-6 but it was to be the hosts who led into the interval thanks to a Ryan Hampshire score making it 10-6.

Tomkins levelled again for the visitors this time with a try on 50 minutes for 10-10 before he improved an Arthur Romano try to put the Dragons ahead for the first time at 16-16. The sides were level yet again on 65 minutes with Derrell Olpherts crossing on the wing and Richardson converting for 16-16. The score remained level until the end of the 80 minutes meaning the winner would be decided by Golden Point Extra Time, both sides attempted drop goals with the crucial kick coming on 90 minutes as Richardson sealed the 17-16 win for the Tigers.

Saturday, 7 January 2023

2022 Super League Round 15 (Catch-Up)

The catch-up continues with Rounds 15-

Giants Glory Against Rhinos

Huddersfield Giants came out on top with a 30-16 win in the Yorkshire derby against Leeds Rhinos at the John Smith's Stadium. The Giants thundered into a 16-0 lead inside 25 minutes with Will Pryce kicking two goals and Ricky Leutele, Jermaine McGillvary and Jake Wardle all crossing for tries. A perfect first half for the hosts saw another score as Chris McQueen raced in for a try which Pryce converted for 22-0 but Leeds had a late say with Ash Handley crossing for 22-4 into the interval. 

The Rhinos fightback continued as Liam Sutcliffe touched down and Rhyse Martin converted to cut the gap to 22-10. Pryce swept over a penalty goal to give Hudds a 24-10 lead before he improved a Josh Jones effort for 30-10. Leeds did have the final say though as Zak Hardaker crossed for a try which Martin converted for 30-16. 

Salford Suffer As Wigan Win

Wigan Warriors continued their good form with a comfortable 30-12 win over Salford Red Devils at the AJ Bell Stadium. A closely fought first half saw just a single score as Harry Smith crossed for a try which he converted for 6-0 inside nine minutes but the lead remained into the interval.,

Wigan opened up the lead to 24-0 before the hour mark as Liam Marshall and Bevan French both scored try braces with Smith converting only once. French wrapped up a 13 minute hat-trick on 62 minutes with Smith converting for 30-0 but Salford were to mount a late charge as Deon Cross andKallum Watkins went over in the final five minutes with Marc Sneyd converting the former in the 30-12 final score.


Dragons Delight In Humbling Hull FC

Catalans Dragons boosted their home form with a comfortable 36-8 victory over Hull FC. The hosts raced into a 14-0 lead inside the opening half hour as Mike McMeeken andFouad Yahaboth crossed for tries which Sam Tomkinsconverted in addition to sandwiching a penalty goal. The lead remained into interval with Catalans resuming their spree with aMickael Goudemand (Tomkins conv) for 20-0..  

FC hit back within two minutesas Josh Griffin touched down for 20-4 but the three score led was soon restored for the hosts with Samisoni Langicrossing for 24-4. Hull hit back again as Darnell McIntosh crossed but only as consolation due to Mitchell PearceandTyrone Mayboth crossing late on and Tomkins improving both efforts to wrap up the 36-8 success.  

Toulouse Toppled By Tigers

Toulouse Olympique's mixed form continued in a narrow 20-14 defeat to Castleford Tigers at Stade Ernest Wallon. The hosts struck first with Olly Ashall-Bott crossing for a try which Chris Hankinson converted for a 6-0 lead before Cas drew level after Danny Richardson improved a try from Suaia Matagi for 6-6 with the equality continuing into the interval.

Toulouse went ahead within three minutes of the restart as Matty Russell went in on the wing and Hankinson converted for 12-6. The Tigers levelled just before the hour mark with a George Griffin try which Richardson converted for 12-12 ans he put the visitors ahead at 14-12 with a 62nd minute penalty goal. Hankinson replied for the hosts to level at 14-14 but the win went to the travelling Tigers thanks to a 72nd minute try from Mahe Fonua which Richardson improved for a 20-14 final score. 

Saints Success Against Robins

St Helens maintained top spot with a 26-18 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers at the Totally Wicked Stadium. A perfect start for Saints saw Tommy Makinson cross for a try in the opening minute for 4-0. Ex-Saints back Lachlan Coote levelled with a ninth minute effort before converting for a 6-4 lead. Saints regained the lead and extended as James Roby and Morgan Knowles both crossed with Makinson converting both for 16-6. KR hit back with a Ryan Hall try (Coote conv) to cut the gap to 16-12 but the final say of the half went to the hosts as Makinson added a penalty goal for 18-12.

Saints took control in the second half with tries from Ben Davies and Konrad Hurrell either side of the hour for 26-12 but KR had one final say on the contest with Coote scoring his second try of the game and converting for a 26-18 final score. 

Trinity Triumph Over Wolves 

Wakefield Trinity left it late to secure a 30-24 over Warrington Wolves at the Be Well Support Stadium. The Wolves struck first with Daryl Clark crossing and Stefan Ratchford converting for 6-0. Trinity responded with James Batchelor went in for a try which Mason Lino improved for 6-6 before Gareth Widdop restored the Wolves' lead with Ratchford kicking for 12-6. The sides went into the interval on level terms though after Matt Ashurst touched down and Lino converted for 12-12.

Warrington regained the lead within four minutes of the restart with a Connor Wrench (Ratchford conv) try for 18-12 but a second score from Batchelor just five minutes later saw Lino level at 18-18. The sides exchanged scores again after the hour with Matt Ashton (Ratchford conv) and Liam Hood (Lino conv) making it 24-24. The win was sealed for the hosts with three minutes left on the clock as KelepI Tanginoa touched down and Lino kicked for a fifth success at 30-24. 


Saturday, 24 December 2022

2022 Challenge Cup Final/ Super League Round 14 (Catch-Up)

A huge delay in keeping up with the reports on 2022 mean that in order to be ready for 2023, the split will be Men's SL, Women's SL Group 1 and Women's SL Group 2 and the Women's Nines Finals day too. The catch-up opens though with the Challenge Cup final.


Giants Gutted By Warriors Cup Comeback

Wigan Warriors s
ecured an historic 20th Challenge Cup triumph with a narrow 16-14 victory over Huddersfield Giants at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Giants made a perfect start as Tui Lolohea converted a penalty in the second minute for a 2-0 lead. The advantage became 6-0 on 16 minutes with Ricky Leutele crossing for the opening try to make the score 6-0. Wigan got off the mark on 25 minutes with a try and conversion from Harry Smith who levelled for 6-6. Hudds led into the interval thanks to a try from Chris McQueen who crossed for 10-6.

Wigan took just minutes of the second half to complete the turnaround with Jai Field touching down for a try which Smith improved for a 12-10 lead which saw Hudds hit back just before the hour mark with a Jermaine McGillvary score for 14-12. The trophy was sealed in style as Liam Marshall collected a superb kick from Smith to cross in the corner just metres away from a raucous Warriors end who minutes later celebrated the 16-14 triumph.


Giants Bounce-back Against Dragons 

Huddersfield Giants shrugged off their Challenge Cup woes with a 22-14 win over Catalans Dragons at Stade Gilbert Brutus. The Giants struck early with Ricky Leutele crossing for 4-0 inside four minutes before Will Pryce added a penalty for 6-0 in the 12th minute. The advantage was 18-2 into the interval with Adam O'Brien and Chris McQueen both crossing for tries which Pryce improved before Sam Tomkins added a penalty in the final minute of the half.

Catalans cut the gap further as Arthur Mourgue crossed for a try within three minutes of the restart which Tomkins improved before adding to an effort from Mathieu Laguerre to make a single score deficit at 18-14. Huddersfield held off any Dragons hopes of levelling though as McQueen crossed for his second score in the final minute to complete the 22-14 win.

Rhinos Rout Woeful Wolves 

Leeds Rhinos avenged the season opening defeat to Warrington Wolves with a comfortable 40-4 victory at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The Rhinos struck first as David Fusitu'a crossed for a 4-0 lead that was cancelled out by a Matty Ashton try for 4-4. Leeds regained the lead with a Kruise Leeming effort which Rhyse Martin converted before adding to a try from Zak Hardaker a few minutes later for 16-4and the Rhinos held the lead into the interval thanks to a further score from James Donaldson for 20-4. 

Martin extended the lead to 22-4 with a 45th minute penalty goal and the visitors continued to control the score with Ash Handley and Bodene Thompson both touching down after the hour mark for a 30-4 lead before Fusitu'a and Handley both crossed for a second time with Martin converting the latter for a 40-4 final score.


Warriors Comeback Clips Cas Claws

Wigan Warriors stunned Castleford Tigers in a 32-12 win at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle which was shown on Channel 4. The Tigers opened up a 12-0 inside the half-hour mark as Greg Eden and Kenny Edwards crossed and Gareth O'Brien converted the latter. Wigan cut the gap as Liam Marshall crossed out on the wing for 12-4 into the interval.

Wigan's comeback continued within four minutes of the restart with Bevan French touching down and Harry Smith converting for 12-6 before Abbas Miski went over with Smith levelling at 12-12 with the boot. Marshall claimed his second score of the day for 20-12 before Jake Bibby touched down and Smith kicked for 26-12. The stunning turnaround was completed late on as Liam Farrell went in and Smith converted for a 32-12 final score. 

Saints Seal Toulouse Toppler

St Helens continued their good form with a 28-14 win over Toulouse Olympique at Stade Ernest Wallon. Toulouse opened the scoring with a Chris Hankinson penalty goal for 2-0 inside seven minutes but an instant response saw Saints lead 4-2 after a Morgan Knowles try. The visitors extended their lead to 8-2 with a Tommy Makinson try before a Konrad Hurrell score and Makinson conversion made it 14-2 into the interval. 

Toulouse cut the deficit to 14-8 within four minutes of the restart as Harrison Hansen touched down and Hankinson converted but a rapid brace after the hour mark from Jack Welsby and Regan Grace (Makinson convs) pushed the lead to 26-8. The hosts replied with a self converted score from Hankinson for 26-14 but the sealer for Saints came late on as Makinson kicked for a 28-14 success.



Robins Rout Red Devils

Hull Kingston Rovers romped to a huge 43-16 demolition of Salford Red Devils at Sewell Group Craven Park. The hosts race into an 18-0 lead inside the first quarter as Lachlan Coote crossed for a two minute brace and converted both before he improved Ryan Hall's effort. Salford avoided a first-half blank thanks to a Kallum Watkins try which Marc Sneyd converted for 18-6 but the final say on the half went to Coote who swept over a drop goal for 19-6 into the interval. 

The Robins' charge continued in the second half as Hall claimed his second try which Coote converted before improving scores from Ethan Ryan and Ben Crooks for a 37-6 advantage. Salford stemmed the spree with a try from Deon Cross (Sneyd conv) to make it 37-12 but the 30+ lead returned just two minutes later with a second Crooks try (Coote conv). The final say belonged to the visitors as Joe Burgess crossed for 43-16 in the 78th minute. 

Trinity Late Show Halts Hull FC Hopes

The round ended with the closest game of the week as Wakefield Trinity edged a 19-18 win over Hull FC at the Be Well Support Stadium. FC opened up a 12-0 lead with scores from Adam Swift and Darnell McIntosh which Luke Gale converted before he added a penalty goal for 14-0 on 33 minutes. Trinity cut the gap with a Matty Ashurst try which Mason Lino improved for 14-6 but they would go into the interval 18-6 behind after Swift's second try in the final minute of the half.

The score remained at 18-6 until the 67th minute when Corey Hall touched down and Lino converted for 18-12. The sides were level with three minutes remaining as Lee Gaskell (Lino conv) crossed and the contest looked to be heading for extra time but Jacob Miller had other ideas as he sealed the 19-18 win for Trinity with a last-gasp drop goal.