In what is becoming an exciting season, round 16 continued the unpredictable trend of Super League with three of the top four losing and three teams securing 40+ winning margins.
Giants Outpace Rhinos
After a week off due to the Challenge Cup, Huddersfield had the advantage of being fresh for the trip to a Leeds side who battled past Leigh in the cup and it was Huddersfield's freshness that paid off as they extended their three year winning streak over the Rhinos.
However, it was the hosts that opened the scoring as Watkins crossed for the first try after only six minutes with Sinfield converting for a 6-0 lead that lasted barely a couple of minutes as Wood crossed for the Giants and Brough levelled the score with a successful conversion.
Jones-Bishop scored to regain the Rhinos' lead with Sinfield's conversion making it 12-6, a lead that lasted into the interval but Huddersfield responded well in the second half and levelled when McGillvary crossed and Brough converted for 12 all in the 48th minute.
Huddersfield went in front for the first time in the tie in style with two tries in as many minutes with Crabtree crossing for the first and Brough converting for 12-18 before Wardle extended the lead with a fine try that Brough converted for a 12-24 lead.
The fatigue of the previous week seemed to be creeping up on Leeds but they powered on and reduced the deficit with a try from Bailey in the 63rd minute but Sinfield missing with the boot meant the Rhinos needed at least two more efforts at 16-24.
Their luck was in three minutes later as Sutcliffe crossed for a try and Sinfield converted to make it 22-24 ensuring a tense last 14 minutes and right at the death, Headingley went silent after a superb 5th tackle saw Leeds travel from their own half and kick superbly for what looked like a try for Briscoe but it was the travelling fans who were soon joyous after the effort was chalked off due to a push on Brough.
An incorrect result but a close on with a prediction of 25-22 in favour of Leeds.
Wing Duo Send Warriors Third
After the Challenge Cup exit to Castleford last weekend, Wigan welcomed the Tigers for the second time in under a week as they looked to overtake the visitors in the Super League table.
A mixed start for both sides saw Wigan take the lead in the 12th minute as Manfredi raced in for the first try of the evening with Smith converting well for a 6-0 lead.Castleford came close to pulling level but suffered a huge blow when a long pass across the middle found the welcoming grasp of Bowen who dashed the length of the field to score a superb try to continue his spree of long range scores in 2014 with Smith adding the conversion for a 12-0 lead inside 25 minutes.
Bowen's run looked to have cost him as he was replaced minutes later by Hampshire but Wigan powered on as a superb pass from McIlorum allowed James to slip through the defence and score a nice try but Smith's miss with the boot meant a 16-0 lead.
Wigan extended their lead with five minutes left of the first half as a nice move by O'Loughlin saw him pick out Burgess on the wing who crossed for the try and a superb conversion from Smith made it 22-0 at the break.
A strong attacking move that saw Manfredi collect a kick only to be tackled in midair gave Wigan a penalty in a great position resulting a nice passing set that saw Farrell break through the Tigers defence and extend the lead with Smith adding a conversion for 28-0.
A fine dummy from McIlorum saw him cross for a well-worked try that was added to by a Smith conversion for 34-0 and Castleford surely needed to score next and looked to have done just as a clever kick found Dixon who crossed for a try but after a review was denied the score due to a knock on in the build-up.
Wigan confirmed the win with ten minutes remaining with a stunning kick from Smith guiding into the grasp of Burgess who dived over the line for his second try of the evening. Smith converted and Wigan now led 40-0.The Tigers avoided a potential nilling when a pass out wide saw Gibson cross to end Wigan's clean sheet with Ellis converting to reduce the gap to 40-6.
However, with three minutes to go, Gelling combined with Manfredi to send the young winger over for his second effort of the game and the gloss on the win was sealed by Smith with a seventh conversion for a 46-6 win. A correct result but off with the prediction of 24-22.
London Slip At Wakefield
London's quest for a first win of the season continues after they let another half-time lead slip to go down to a narrow defeat to Wakefield who as a result look to surely be safe from relegation.
Wakefield opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a try from Kirmond but Sykes missed conversion attempt meant a slim 4-0 lead that was cancelled out nine minutes later by a leveller from Cook with Drinkwater converting for a 4-6 lead which was extended just minutes later when Minns crossed for the Broncos with Drinkwater converting successfully for 4-10, a lead that lasted into the interval.
London have led numerous times this season but have failed to convert it into a win so it was no surprise when Wakefield levelled in the 65th minute with a try from Smith and conversion from Sykes before going ahead five minutes later through a Sykes penalty for 12-10.
The win was sealed right at the end when Wakefield scored through Ryan and Sykes converted for 18-10 to end London's hopes of ending their season-long losing streak. A correct result but a wide prediction of 36-18.
Widnes Stunned By Hull
Alike Thursday night's game this tie saw a fresh Hull side travel to face a Widnes side who had eased past Keighley in the Cup but it was the freshness that shone through as Hull demolished the Vikings.
Widnes went in front in the fifth minute with a try from Flynn followed by a conversion from Tickle for a 6-0 lead but that was to be the last time that the Vikings scored a point as Hull came from behind to level three minutes later through Lancaster with a Rankin conversion for 6 all before leading after a Paea effort and Rankin conversion at 6-12.
Rankin added a penalty four minutes before the interval for a 6-14 lead at half-time that was extended by Lancaster's second effort just five minutes into the second half with Rankin converting for 20-6. Hull extended their lead with two scores in as many minutes from Shaul and Horne with Rankin converting both for a 6-32 lead.
Hull ran riot with four tries in the last 13 minutes to stun Widnes with Rankin crossing for a try ahead of Lancaster's third and a second and third for Shaul with Rankin converting all four for a personal points tally of 22 points and a 6-56 win for Hull. An incorrect result and a wide prediction of 32-22.
Monaghan Double Sinks Robins
Warrington avoided suffering a league double to Hull KR to close up on the top four with a comfortable win away to the Robins.
Both sides held firm in defence making for a tight first half but Warrington went into the break ahead after three late scores from Ormsby, Ratchford and Monaghan with Bridge converting all three for an 0-18.
The Robins reduced the deficit just before the hour mark with a try from Horne but a failed conversion attempt meant a 14 point gap at 4-18 which was extended in style by three late tries from the Wolves with Evans and Atkins crossing before Monaghan sealed the win with his second try with Bridge adding two conversions from three attempts for a 4-34 win. A correct result but slightly off on the prediction of 18-28.
Dragons Rout Sunburnt Saints
Catalan continued their scorching home form with a complete demolition of a travelling St Helens side that looked like their minds were still on the flight over from the UK.
Duport put the Dragons ahead in the eighth minute with a fine try but Bosc's miss with the boot meant a slim 4-0 lead that lasted until just before the interval when Oldfield crossed on the wing but with Bosc missing again the lead was still slim at 8-0.
The Dragons took control either side of the hour with a second try from Duport followed by an effort from Henderson with Bosc converting one from two for a 18-0 lead and Saints needed a miracle to comeback.
However, it was Catalan that struck next and in devastating style with four scores in the final 12 minutes beginning with a try from Bosc who converted successfully and followed minutes later by a second and third of the afternoon for Oldfield either side of an effort from Millard with Bosc converting all three for a stunning 42-0 victory that made me proud to have a correct result despite a wide prediction of 26-20.
Salford Add To Bulls Woes
Salford ended a two month wait for a win with a comfortable victory over a Bradford side that need a miracle to survive and even more after dispensing with coach Francis Cummins earlier today.
In what will sadly be remembered as Cummins last game at the Bulls helm, Salford raced into a 24-0 lead inside 15 minutes with tries from Tomkins, Sa'u, Dixon and Chase all converted by the latter before a reply from Bradford came from Kear with Gale converting for 24-6 in the 23rd minute.
Chase scored a second just before the half-hour but missed the conversion as the hosts led 28-6 before Sa'u scored his second of the afternoon with Chase converting for a 34-6 lead that was reduced just before the interval by a try from Olbison with Gale converting for 34-12.
Bradford reduced the gap further on the hour with an effort from O'Brien with Gale converting for 34-18 but two tries in four minutes from Meli and Evalds sealed the win for Salford with Chase converting both for 46-18. An incorrect result and wide prediction of 18-23.
After a week off due to the Challenge Cup, Huddersfield had the advantage of being fresh for the trip to a Leeds side who battled past Leigh in the cup and it was Huddersfield's freshness that paid off as they extended their three year winning streak over the Rhinos.
However, it was the hosts that opened the scoring as Watkins crossed for the first try after only six minutes with Sinfield converting for a 6-0 lead that lasted barely a couple of minutes as Wood crossed for the Giants and Brough levelled the score with a successful conversion.
Jones-Bishop scored to regain the Rhinos' lead with Sinfield's conversion making it 12-6, a lead that lasted into the interval but Huddersfield responded well in the second half and levelled when McGillvary crossed and Brough converted for 12 all in the 48th minute.
Huddersfield went in front for the first time in the tie in style with two tries in as many minutes with Crabtree crossing for the first and Brough converting for 12-18 before Wardle extended the lead with a fine try that Brough converted for a 12-24 lead.
The fatigue of the previous week seemed to be creeping up on Leeds but they powered on and reduced the deficit with a try from Bailey in the 63rd minute but Sinfield missing with the boot meant the Rhinos needed at least two more efforts at 16-24.
Their luck was in three minutes later as Sutcliffe crossed for a try and Sinfield converted to make it 22-24 ensuring a tense last 14 minutes and right at the death, Headingley went silent after a superb 5th tackle saw Leeds travel from their own half and kick superbly for what looked like a try for Briscoe but it was the travelling fans who were soon joyous after the effort was chalked off due to a push on Brough.
An incorrect result but a close on with a prediction of 25-22 in favour of Leeds.
Wing Duo Send Warriors ThirdAfter the Challenge Cup exit to Castleford last weekend, Wigan welcomed the Tigers for the second time in under a week as they looked to overtake the visitors in the Super League table.
A mixed start for both sides saw Wigan take the lead in the 12th minute as Manfredi raced in for the first try of the evening with Smith converting well for a 6-0 lead.Castleford came close to pulling level but suffered a huge blow when a long pass across the middle found the welcoming grasp of Bowen who dashed the length of the field to score a superb try to continue his spree of long range scores in 2014 with Smith adding the conversion for a 12-0 lead inside 25 minutes.
Bowen's run looked to have cost him as he was replaced minutes later by Hampshire but Wigan powered on as a superb pass from McIlorum allowed James to slip through the defence and score a nice try but Smith's miss with the boot meant a 16-0 lead.
Wigan extended their lead with five minutes left of the first half as a nice move by O'Loughlin saw him pick out Burgess on the wing who crossed for the try and a superb conversion from Smith made it 22-0 at the break.
A strong attacking move that saw Manfredi collect a kick only to be tackled in midair gave Wigan a penalty in a great position resulting a nice passing set that saw Farrell break through the Tigers defence and extend the lead with Smith adding a conversion for 28-0.
A fine dummy from McIlorum saw him cross for a well-worked try that was added to by a Smith conversion for 34-0 and Castleford surely needed to score next and looked to have done just as a clever kick found Dixon who crossed for a try but after a review was denied the score due to a knock on in the build-up.
Wigan confirmed the win with ten minutes remaining with a stunning kick from Smith guiding into the grasp of Burgess who dived over the line for his second try of the evening. Smith converted and Wigan now led 40-0.The Tigers avoided a potential nilling when a pass out wide saw Gibson cross to end Wigan's clean sheet with Ellis converting to reduce the gap to 40-6.
However, with three minutes to go, Gelling combined with Manfredi to send the young winger over for his second effort of the game and the gloss on the win was sealed by Smith with a seventh conversion for a 46-6 win. A correct result but off with the prediction of 24-22.
London Slip At WakefieldLondon's quest for a first win of the season continues after they let another half-time lead slip to go down to a narrow defeat to Wakefield who as a result look to surely be safe from relegation.
Wakefield opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a try from Kirmond but Sykes missed conversion attempt meant a slim 4-0 lead that was cancelled out nine minutes later by a leveller from Cook with Drinkwater converting for a 4-6 lead which was extended just minutes later when Minns crossed for the Broncos with Drinkwater converting successfully for 4-10, a lead that lasted into the interval.
London have led numerous times this season but have failed to convert it into a win so it was no surprise when Wakefield levelled in the 65th minute with a try from Smith and conversion from Sykes before going ahead five minutes later through a Sykes penalty for 12-10.
The win was sealed right at the end when Wakefield scored through Ryan and Sykes converted for 18-10 to end London's hopes of ending their season-long losing streak. A correct result but a wide prediction of 36-18.
Widnes Stunned By HullAlike Thursday night's game this tie saw a fresh Hull side travel to face a Widnes side who had eased past Keighley in the Cup but it was the freshness that shone through as Hull demolished the Vikings.
Widnes went in front in the fifth minute with a try from Flynn followed by a conversion from Tickle for a 6-0 lead but that was to be the last time that the Vikings scored a point as Hull came from behind to level three minutes later through Lancaster with a Rankin conversion for 6 all before leading after a Paea effort and Rankin conversion at 6-12.
Rankin added a penalty four minutes before the interval for a 6-14 lead at half-time that was extended by Lancaster's second effort just five minutes into the second half with Rankin converting for 20-6. Hull extended their lead with two scores in as many minutes from Shaul and Horne with Rankin converting both for a 6-32 lead.
Hull ran riot with four tries in the last 13 minutes to stun Widnes with Rankin crossing for a try ahead of Lancaster's third and a second and third for Shaul with Rankin converting all four for a personal points tally of 22 points and a 6-56 win for Hull. An incorrect result and a wide prediction of 32-22.
Warrington avoided suffering a league double to Hull KR to close up on the top four with a comfortable win away to the Robins.
Both sides held firm in defence making for a tight first half but Warrington went into the break ahead after three late scores from Ormsby, Ratchford and Monaghan with Bridge converting all three for an 0-18.
The Robins reduced the deficit just before the hour mark with a try from Horne but a failed conversion attempt meant a 14 point gap at 4-18 which was extended in style by three late tries from the Wolves with Evans and Atkins crossing before Monaghan sealed the win with his second try with Bridge adding two conversions from three attempts for a 4-34 win. A correct result but slightly off on the prediction of 18-28.
Dragons Rout Sunburnt SaintsCatalan continued their scorching home form with a complete demolition of a travelling St Helens side that looked like their minds were still on the flight over from the UK.
Duport put the Dragons ahead in the eighth minute with a fine try but Bosc's miss with the boot meant a slim 4-0 lead that lasted until just before the interval when Oldfield crossed on the wing but with Bosc missing again the lead was still slim at 8-0.
The Dragons took control either side of the hour with a second try from Duport followed by an effort from Henderson with Bosc converting one from two for a 18-0 lead and Saints needed a miracle to comeback.
However, it was Catalan that struck next and in devastating style with four scores in the final 12 minutes beginning with a try from Bosc who converted successfully and followed minutes later by a second and third of the afternoon for Oldfield either side of an effort from Millard with Bosc converting all three for a stunning 42-0 victory that made me proud to have a correct result despite a wide prediction of 26-20.
Salford ended a two month wait for a win with a comfortable victory over a Bradford side that need a miracle to survive and even more after dispensing with coach Francis Cummins earlier today.
In what will sadly be remembered as Cummins last game at the Bulls helm, Salford raced into a 24-0 lead inside 15 minutes with tries from Tomkins, Sa'u, Dixon and Chase all converted by the latter before a reply from Bradford came from Kear with Gale converting for 24-6 in the 23rd minute.
Chase scored a second just before the half-hour but missed the conversion as the hosts led 28-6 before Sa'u scored his second of the afternoon with Chase converting for a 34-6 lead that was reduced just before the interval by a try from Olbison with Gale converting for 34-12.
Bradford reduced the gap further on the hour with an effort from O'Brien with Gale converting for 34-18 but two tries in four minutes from Meli and Evalds sealed the win for Salford with Chase converting both for 46-18. An incorrect result and wide prediction of 18-23.
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