Super League Round Two and Twelve Pt 1 Results

Super League Round One Review

A new title and a new Super League season as the 2018 season began this past weekend with round one.

Thursday night saw two opening games with the first seeing defending champions Leeds Rhinos edging a 16-12 win over Warrington Wolves. 

An opening scored from Jamie Jones-Buchanan saw Kallum Watkins convert for a 0-6 lead inside 14 minutes before Ryan Hall crossed to extend the lead to 0-10. Watkins kicked a penalty goal for 0-12 before a self-converted try from Bryson Goodwin cut the gap to 6-12 into the interval. 

Hall made it 6-16 with his second try ahead of the hour mark but the Wolves setup a tight finish with Tom Lineham crossing in the final minute with Goodwin converting for 12-16. An opening loss for the new structure at the HJ under Steve Price while the Rhinos made a good start to the defence of the title.

Hull FC romped to a 38-12 opening win at home to Huddersfield Giants in the evening's other game.

A try inside four minutes from Albert Kelly saw Marc Sneyd convert for 6-0 ahead of adding a penalty goal for 8-0. Hudds responded and took the lead with efforts from Ryan Hinchcliffe and Ukuma Ta'ai with Danny Brough converting both for an 8-12 advantage. Sneyd kicked a penalty goal late in the half for a 10-12 score into the interval.

FC took control in the second half, a hat-trick from Fetuli Talanoa sandwiching an effort from Jake Connor with Sneyd converting the lot for 34-12. Jamie Shaul rounded off the win with a score on 63 minutes to give the Black and Whites a comfortable win before they jetted off on the NSW Tour.

Joining Hull FC on the trip to Australia are Wigan Warriors who prepared for the trip in style with a 40-12 win at Salford Red Devils.

The hosts opened the scoring inside four minutes as Kris Welham touched down with Gareth O'Brien kicking for 6-0 before Wigan responded with scores from Tom Davies and Oli Gildart, Sam Tomkins converting once for a 6-10 advantage that lasted until the half time interval.

Wigan increased the lead within three minutes of the restart with Morgan Escare finishing off a clever move, Tomkins converting for 6-16. The visitors took control just before the hour with a five minute brace from Liam Marshall followed by Gildart's second try with Tomkins converting the lot. The 40 point mark was reached four minutes later as Tony Clubb battled over the line with Tomkins kicking the extras. Salford had the last say on the score with Niall Evalds crossing on 75 minutes with O'Brien adding the extras with the boot for 12-40.

St Helens stunned last seasons League Leaders winners Castleford Tigers in a 46-6 rout.

A rapid start for the Saints saw Ben Barba cross inside five minutes with Danny Richardson converting for 6-0 before Zeb Taia, Jonny Lomax and Mark Percival all touched down with Richardson converting twice for a 22-0 advantage into the interval.

A second score for Percival saw Richardson add the extras ahead of the Tigers getting on the board on the hour through Paul McShane, Luke Gale converting for 28-6. Saints restored their 28 point lead with a second score from Barba (Richardson conv) before Taia's second score and Percival's hat-trick try late on breached the 40 point mark. Richardson converted both for 46-6. A resounding win for the Saints which saw them top the standings while the Tigers reflected on a heavy opening loss.

Friday's other game saw Wakefield Trinity ease to a 28-6 win over promoted Hull Kingston Rovers.

Trinity raced into a 0-14 lead with scores in the opening quarter from Tom Johnstone, Bill Tupou and Liam Finn with Finn only able to convert his own try. The visitors extended their advantage just before the interval with Johnstone claiming his second score for 0-18.

KR replied on 56 minutes with Chris Clarkson touching down and Ryan Shaw converting for 6-26. Wakefield resumed their control on the scoreboard with Johnstone completing his hat-trick on 69 minutes before Ryan Hampshire crossed for a debut try for his hometown club on 74 minutes with Finn converting to complete the scoring at 6-28. 

A good opening win for Trinity while Rovers reflected on an opening loss on their Super League return.

The round came to an end on Sunday as Widnes Vikings eased to a 40-12 win over Catalans Dragons.

Widnes opened the scoring on 13 minutes through Chris Dean with Tom Gilmore converting for 6-0. David Mead replied for the Dragons with Luke Walsh converting for 6-6 before he added the extras to a try from Benjamin Jullien five minutes later as the Dragons led 6-12. The hosts drew level before the interval with Joe Mellor crossing and Gilmore converting for 12-12. 

The Dragons were kept scoreless in the second half as Widnes took full control with Krisnan Inu's score followed by a second try of the afternoon for Dean, Gilmore converting both either side of a penalty goal for 26-12. The rout was rounded off in the final ten minutes by a trio of scores from Patrick Ah Van, Charly Runciman and Stefan Marsh with Gilmore converting just the once. A superb start to the season for the Vikings while the Dragons started miserably on the road.