After a huge gulf between the Super League and Championship quartets in the previous round, many fans/experts began to rubbish the new format of 'The Qualifiers' so with two ties being between sides of the same league, the other two had the potential for the Championship sides to cause a shock.
Centurions Caught By Wildcats
Saturday's round opener came from Leigh Sports Village as Leigh Centurions hosted top flight Wakefield Wildcats with the hosts desperate to prevent a third successive slip-up after leading while the visitors looked to build on their previous win.
The visitors struck first with Lee Smith crossing and converting for a 6-0 lead but Leigh responded with a try from Fui Fui Moimoi for 6-4 on 13 minutes. Leigh then went ahead on 27 minutes as Jonny Pownall touched down and with Martyn Rudayrd converting the score was 10-6. Liam Kay (Ridyard conv) extended the lead with a superb try for a 16-6 lead. Wakefield cut the gap before the interval as Jacob Miller crossed for 16-10 into the break.
Miller claimed his second try just before the hour mark with Smith converting for a 16-16 score and alike the previous two games, Leigh not only let the lead slip but went on to lose as Lee Smith swept over a drop goal on 68 minutes to secure a 17-16 win.
Resting Robins Edge Vikings
Ahead of next week's Wembley date, Hull KR travelled to face Widnes Vikings at the Select Security Stadium on Sunday with a mixed lineup but both sides were keen to continue their perfect starts.
A tight first half due to mixed weather conditions saw both sides cancel each other out with the opening try coming just four minutes before the interval as Kris Welham crossed and Josh Mantellato converted for a 6-0 lead into the break.
Charly Runciman cut the gap five minutes after the restart but a missed conversion meant they remained behind at 6-4 and the gap was soon up to eight points as Robins debutant George Lawler crossed on 54 minutes with Mantellato converting for 12-4. The last say on the game came in the final seconds as Matt Whitley crossed for a 12-8 final score.
Brilliant Bulls Rout Red Devils
In Sunday's only cross-league game, Bradford Bulls hosted top-flight Salford Red Devils at the Provident Stadium with the hosts looking for a second win and the visitors hoping to continue their perfect start.
The Bulls started superbly with a fourth minute opener from Dale Ferguson with Danny Addy converting for 6-0 before James Clare added a second try on 17 minutes which Addy converted for 12-0. Jake Mullaney extended the lead with a 32nd minute try with Addy improving for a 16-0 lead but the Red Devils got on the board with five minutes left of the half through Rangi Chase for 16-4 but the Bulls had the last say on the half as Mullaney sealed a late drop goal for 17-4 into the interval.
Mullaney extended the lead further with his second try just two minutes after the restart with Addy improving the score to 23-4. Bradford took firm control of the game as they ran in three tries in ten minutes as Addy and Adrian Purtell struck either side of Clare's second effort with Addy converting all three for a huge 41-4 lead. Salford cut the gap through Iain Thornley on 65 minutes with a conversion from Michael Dobson making it 41-10 but it was to be the last score of the afternoon as the Bulls stormed to a famous triumph.
Eagles Edge Out Fax
In the battle between the two Championship outsiders at the Keepmoat Stadium, Sheffield Eagles hosted Halifax with both looking for their first win after back-to-back losses.
A tight first ten minutes from both sides soon burst into action with Fax striking through Adam Tangata and Steve Tyrer converting before an instant reply from the Eagles as Rob Worrincy crossed and Pat Walker converted for 6-6. A self-converted try from Tyrer put Fax 12-6 ahead. Gareth Potts extended the lead with Tyrer improving the score to 18-6.
A self-converted try from Walker sent the Eagles into the interval just six points behind at 18-12 but they were level six minutes before the hour mark as Worrincy claimed his second try which Walker converted for 18-18. Scott Murrell put Fax back in front with Tyrer converting for 24-18 but an eight minute double from the Eagles with tries from Quentin Laulu-Togagae and Worrincy with a single conversion from Walker sealed a 28-24 victory.
No comments:
Post a Comment