2019 Women's Super League Round Two Review Part Two

Easter Monday saw the completion of WSL round two as St Helens Women claimed a 24-0 win over Bradford Bulls Women. 

A rapid start from Saints saw them score twice in the opening five minutes, Channy Crowl touching down before Vicky Whitfield went over, Faye Gaskin converting twice for a 12-0 lead that lasted into the interval.

The lead became 18-0 on 46 minutes as Tara Jones crossed and Gaskin converted before a perfect start to the season for Saints was completed late on by Whitfield's second score with Gaskin ending the afternoon four from four as she kicked for 24-0. 

2019 Super League Round 12 Review

Round 12 saw a full schedule on Easter Monday which began with a close contest as Huddersfield Giants edged a 24-19 win over London Broncos.  The Broncos struck first with Jay Pitts crossing inside six minutes, Kieran Dixon converted before adding a penalty for 8-0. Hudds replied with Alex Mellor and Scott Grix registering tries which Oliver Russell converted for 12-8.

London regained the lead after the interval through Rhys Williams long range try with Dixon converting for 14-12 but Hudds hit back again with Jermaine McGillvary crossing and Russell kicking for 18-14. The sides were level just after the hour with Ryan Morgan crossing for 18-18 before a Morgan Smith drop goal looked to have sealed a 19-18 win for London on 73 minutes. Hudds looked to be setting up for a drop goal late on to level but clever passing saw McGillvary cross for his second try and Russell kick for a 24-19 win.

After a humbling in the City derby, Hull Kingston Rovers capped off a miserable Easter with a 54-6 loss to Warrington Wolves. Rovers actually struck the opening score with Ben Crooks touching down and Craig Hall converting for 6-0 inside 10 minutes before the Wolves replied with tries from Blake Austin and Tom Lineham, Stefan Ratchford converting both for 12-6 before improving Joe Philbin's effort for 18-6 into the interval.

The lead became 30-6 within six minutes of the restart as Josh Charnley and Bryson Goodwin crossed with Ratchford converting both. Rovers kept the Wolves out for the next quarter before a barrage of scores saw Toby King and Sitaleki Akauola touch down either side of second tries for Philbin and Lineham, Ratchford converted the lot to end with a perfect record from nine attempts as the Wolves celebrated the 54-6 success.

Wigan Warriors bounced back from the Good Friday derby defeat with a last-gasp 30-26 win over Salford Red Devils. The Warriors raced into a 14-0 lead thanks to Joe's Burgess and Bullock with Zak Hardaker converting both before adding a penalty goal. Salford replied with a George Griffin try which Krisnan Inu converted for a 14-6 score into the interval.

The hosts comeback continued after the break with Niall Evalds and Adam Walker going over either side of a Joe Greenwood try, Inu and Hardaker converting the lot as Wigan led 20-18. Salford completed the comeback on 64 minutes as Joey Lussick went over and Inu converted before adding a penalty goal four minutes later for a 26-20 lead. Wigan cut the gap to 26-24 with Greenwood's second score before a Hardaker raced over with two minutes to go and converted to seal a 30-26 win.

Both on a high from Friday's derby wins, St Helens and Hull FC faced off with the hosts stormed to a 62-12 victory. FC raced out of the blocks with Joe Westerman and Carlos Tuimavave crossing with Marc Sneyd converting once for 10-0. Saints' reply came in the form of a Jonny Lomax brace and tries from Kevin Naiqama and Adam Swift with Lachlan Coote converting the lot for 24-10.

Coote increased the lead further with a self-converted try for 30-10 into the interval before Jez Litten's 47th minute try was converted by Sneyd for 30-16. Saints regained control on the scoring front with Swift completing his hat-trick on the hour before a second Naiqama try and Jack Welsby effort saw Coote improve three for 52-16. The gloss on a superb afternoon for the hosts came in the final five minutes as Naiqama completed  his hat-trick and added another score which saw Danny Richardson convert to round off a 62-16 rout.

The sole derby of the afternoon saw Wakefield Trinity edge past their Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos, winning 26-24. A perfect start for debutant Lee Kershaw saw him race over for Trinity inside ten minutes with Ryan Hampshire converting for 6-0, Reece Lyne (Hampshire conv) increased the lead to 12-0 before Leeds hit back with a self-converted Liam Sutcliffe try and Brett Ferres effort (Sutcliffe conv) to level at 12 all.

A brace of penalty goals from Hampshire restored Trinity's lead five minutes after the interval at 16-12 before ex-Rhinos winger Ben Jones-Bishop and Max Jowitt crossed with Hampshire kicking for a 26-12 lead on the hour mark. Leeds fought back with tries from Matt Parcell and a last-gasp Tui Lolohea effort with Sutcliffe converting both as the Rhinos lost out 26-24.

The round ended with in the early evening with Catalans Dragons completing a perfect Easter double with a 37-16 win over Castleford Tigers. The Dragons struck early on through Julian Bousquet with Sam Tomkins converting for 6-0 before he improved a Tony Gigot score and added a penalty goal for 14-0.

Cas cut the gap before the interval to 14-4 as Greg Eden went over on the wing but just nine minutes after the restart, Catalans were back on the board as Bird flew in and Tomkins converted for 20-4. Gigot added a drop goal for 21-4 on 58 minutes before Tomkins converted a second Bousquet try for 27-4 on the hour. Cas stemmed the Dragons' spree with a second score from Eden and Cory Aston try, Peter Mata'utia converting both for 27-16. The Dragons wrapped up the win with late scores from Matt Whitley and Tomkins who converted both for 37-16. 

2019 Super League Round 11 Review

A packed Easter double round saw round 11 begin with a tight West-Yorkshire derby as Castleford Tigers held on to edge out a 28-26 win over Wakefield Trinity.  The Tigers raced into a 22-0 lead with a James Clare brace followed by scores from Jesse Sene-Lefao and Cory Aston with Peter Mata'utia converting three times. Wakefield replied with a Mason Caton-Brown try for 22-4 into the interval.

Greg Minikin crossed for 26-4 before a second Caton-Brown try made it 26-8. Mata'utia kicked a penalty for 28-8 before Trinity staged a huge comeback with Joe Arundel, Ben Renyolds and Tinirau Arona all touching down, Ryan Hampshire converted the lot to cut the gap to a narrow 28-26 but to no avail as the Tigers held on for the win.

Catalans Dragons stormed to a 39-6 win over London Broncos at Ealing Trailfinders also on Thursday night. An early try from Matt Whitley and Sam Tomkins conversion gave the Dragons a 6-0 lead before Tomkins kicked a 24th minute penalty and improved Lewis Tierney's try for a 14-0 half-time advantage.

Greg Bird and Arthur Romano extended the lead further with Tomkins converting the former before scoring a self-converted try for 32-0. London ended the Dragons spree as Mark Ioane raced over and Morgan Smith converted for 32-6 but Catalans resumed control with Whitley's second try and a Tomkins conversion to lead 38-6 before Tomkins swept over a late drop goal to round off the 39-6 victory.

In attendance at the DW Stadium on Good Friday as St Helens eased to a 36-10 derby day win over Wigan Warriors. Saints struck early through James Roby with Lachlan Coote kicking for 6-0 before a Zak Hardaker try cut the lead to 6-4. The visitors took control as the half went on with a Regan Grace brace  (Coote conv) sandwiching a Coote penalty goal for 18-4.

Wigan hit back just before the interval as George Williams raced over for 18-10 but Saints resumed control seven minutes after the restart with Tommy Makinson's try for 22-10. The hopes of a Wigan comeback were dashed by three scores after the hour mark as Grace completed his hat-trick with Coote converting before kicking a penalty goal and crossing for a self-converted try to wrap up the 36-10 victory.

The earlier televised action saw Hull FC storm to a record 56-12 derby win over Hull Kingston Rovers. FC struck first as Jake Connor crossed and Marc Sneyd converted for 6-0 early on before a Jimmy Keinhorst try and Craig Hall conversion saw Rovers level at 6 all. A raid brace from Jack Logan saw Sneyd convert both for an 18-6 advantage that lasted until just before the interval when Hall scored a self-converted try for 18-12.

The second half saw FC run riot with Mark Minichello, Joe Westerman and Albert Kelly cross with Sneyd converting the lot while also kicking a penalty goal for a comfortable 38-4 lead, the misery continued for Rovers as Mickey Paea and Connor Wynne touching down either side of Logan's hat-trick score, Sneyd improved the lot to end the afternoon with ten successes with the boot at 56-12.

Leeds Rhinos moved off the bottom with a 38-18 derby win over Huddersfield Giants at Emerald Headingley. The Rhinos opened the scoring through Tui Lolohea with Liam Sutcliffe converting for a 6-0 lead before he improved efforts from James Donaldson and Brad Dwyer for 18-0. Huddersfield looked to be out of the contest as the interval neared as Richie Myler and Tom Briscoe both crossed with a single Sutcliffe conversion seeing the Rhinos lead 32-0 at half-time.

Hudds hit back with tries from Akuila Uate and Adam O'Brien, Oliver Russell converting both for 32-12 before Lolohea added a penalty goal for the hosts to make it 34-12. Russell converted a Darnell McIntosh try for 34-18 but it was the hosts who would have the final say as Ash Handley crossed late on with Sutcliffe successful for a sixth time for 38-18.

Salford Red Devils stunned Warrington Wolves as they eased to a 36-12 win at the HJ Stadium. A rapid start from the visitors saw Kris Welham and Joey Lussick crossing for tries which Krisnan Inu converted before he added a penalty goal minutes later for 14-0. Wire responded with a Blake Austin score which Stefan Ratchford converted for 14-6 but Salford quickly replied with a Daniel Murray effort which Inu improve before again adding a penalty goal minutes later for 22-6. The lead at the interval was 28-6 as Robert Lui crossed late on and Inu converted.

The second half began with Inu kicking two penalty goals either side of a Jake Bibby try as he extended the lead to 36-6. Warrington had the last say on the score line though as Bryson Goodwin touched down with Ratchford converting for 36-12.

2019 Womens Super League Round Two pt1 Review

Round two saw three games this weekend with St Helens Women v Bradford Bulls Women moved to Easter Monday (Review will follow as a part two to this.)

Leeds Rhinos Women continued their winning start with a 24-16 win over Featherstone Rovers Ladies at the LD Nutrition Stadium. The Rhinos opened the scoring with a Tasha Gaines try for 4-0 on 12 minutes before a self-converted try from Katie Hepworth gave Rovers a 6-4 lead.

A brace from Ellie Frain gave the Rhinos a 12-6 lead into the interval before he completed her hat-trick just six minutes after the restart for 16-6. Leeds were in full control by the hour mark as Danielle Anderson crossed for 20-6 before Rovers responded through Andrea Dobson's effort which Hepworth converted for 20-12. Fev cut the gap further with a try from Brogan Kennedy for 20-16 before a Hanna Butcher try wrapped up the points for the Rhinos as they won 24-16.

Wakefield Trinity Ladies claimed their first ever WSL win with a narrow 10-6 victory over York City Knights Ladies at YSJ Playing Fields. Trinity opened the scoring with a try from Erica Zanre which Lisa Taylor converted for 6-0. The lead lasted into half-time before Chloe Billington extended the advantage to 10-0 ad the last say went to the Knights Ladies as Bev Langan crossed for a try which Sam Boyes converted for 10-6.



Wigan Warriors Women's tough start as champions continued as they suffered a 36-14 loss to Castleford Tigers Women at Orrell St James. The Warriors led 2-0 early on as Michelle Davis kicked a penalty goal before a Sinead Peach try and Tara Stanley conversion put the Tigers 6-2 ahead. A self-converted try from Stanley made it 12-2 before Alison Burrows and Gemma Walsh crossed on opposite wings to cut the gap to 12-10.

The Tigers led 20-10 at the interval after scores from Lacey Owen and Georgia Roche and they resumed their spree with a Georgie Hetherington try for 24-10 on 48 minutes. Walsh claimed her second score at 24-14 before two stunning dashes from Stanley complete her hat-trick and convert both to round off the 36-14 victory.

2019 Coral Challenge Cup Fifth Round Review

The Coral Challenge Cup fifth round began with a shock on Thursday night as Championship side Halifax RLFC upset London Broncos with a 24-16 win at the MBi Shay.

Fax stunned their visitors with a 16th minute opener from Ed Barber try which Steve Tyrer converted for 6-0. They were pegged back by Mark Ioane's try which Morgan Smith improved for 6 all. Ben Kaye restored the lead as he crossed on 37 minutes, Tyrer kicking the hosts into a 12-6 half-time advantage.

London replied through Jacob Odgen seven minutes after the restart, Smith kicking for 12 all before Reece Chapman-Smith and Quentin Laulu-Togagae crossed either side of the hour mark with Tyrer converting both for a 24-12 lead. London gave themselves hope with Ogden's second try on 70 minutes but were unable to cut the gap further as Fax held on for a famous win.

Hull Kingston Rovers survived a scare from Championship side Leigh Centurions as they came from behind to win 14-10. Leigh raced into a 10-0 lead inside 22 minutes as Jonny Pownall and ex-Robins man Joe Cator crossed for tries with Martyn Ridyard converting just the latter. KR hit back just before the interval as Jimmy Keinhorst went over for 10-4.

The Centurions looked to be on their way to a causing an upset still leading 10-4 into the final ten minutes but a late fightback from the hosts saw them turn the tie around, Ryan Shaw and Craig Hall crossing in a two-minute period with Shaw converting his on try to confirm a 14-10 success.

Leeds Rhinos eased into the next round with a 78-6 humbling of League One side Workington Town on Friday evening. The Rhinos flew out of the blocks with Luke Briscoe, Ashton Golding, Harry Newman and Wellington Albert all crossing inside 12 minutes with Liam Sutcliffe converting the lot for a 24-0 lead. Newman completed his hat-trick with two tries either side of the half hour which Sutcliffe improved for 36-0 before Town got off the mark with a score from Caine Barnes with Carl Forber converting for 36-6.

Leeds went into the interval past the 40 point mark as Richie Myler crossed in the final seconds with Sutcliffe kicking for 42-6. The second half saw Myler take just three minutes to score his second try before completing his hat-trick two minutes after a Brett Ferres try, Sutcliffe reaching ten successes with the boot for 60-6. Harry Newman completed a quadruple on 65 minutes before a Matt Parcell and last-gasp second score from Golding saw Sutcliffe defy logic with a 'perfect 13' successes with the boot for 78-6.

Salford Red Devils dispatched Championship side Rochdale Hornets in a similar vain as they cruised to a 76-6 win. Early tries from Greg Burke, Niall Evalds and Gil Dudson were converted by Ed Chamberlain who crossed for a try of his own minutes later for a 22-0 lead. Logan Tomkins and a second Evalds score saw Chamberlain kick twice for 34-0 before the Hornets ended the spree on 31 minutes with a Sean Ainscough try and Dan Abram conversion made it 34-6. Salford went into the interval with the 40 point mark breached as Jake Bibby crossed and Chamberlain converted for 42-6. (6 conv)

Salford resumed control with a second Bibby try and hat-trick score for Evalds, Krisnan Inu converting both after taking over the kicking duties from the injured Chamberlain for 54-6. Evalds reached a quadruple before George Griffin and Robert Lui touched down followed by a self-converted effort from Inu as he kicked his sixth success to wrap up the 70 point win.

Saturday evening saw an all-Championship battle with Widnes VIkings claiming a 44-12 over York City Knights. The Knights struck first with a self-converted Brad Hey score inside three minutes with Widnes instantly levelling through Samuel Freeman's try which Jack Owens converted for 6 all. Freeman crossed for his second score on the half hour with Owens' conversion making it 12-6. Owens added another conversion before the interval as he improved Keenan Brand's try for 18-6 at the break.

Freeman completed his hat-trick nine minutes after the restart before York cut the gap to 22-12 on 53 minutes as Jordan Baldwinson touched down with Lewis Heckford converting. Widnes took control from there with Freeman completing a quadruple ahead of efforts from Joe Lyons and Ryan Ince with Owens converting the latter ahead of scoring a self-converted try to wrap up the win at 44-12.

Sunday afternoon saw sole amateur side Thatto Heath Crusaders put up a fight as they lost 36-10 to Championship side Dewsbury Rams. The Rams struck first with a third minute try from Andre Gabriel for 4-0 but the hosts soon levelled with a Matty Norton try for 4 all. Dewsbury regained the lead with Rob Worrincy's try which Liam Finn converted for 10-4. Thatto hit back again through Mike Stark's score which say Bobby Goulding converting for 10 all into the interval. The visitors took control after the restart as Lucas Walshaw, Samy Kibula and Adam Ryder all crossed with Finn converting the lot for 28-10. A spot in the last 16 was wrapped up by two late scores as Tom Garratt and Robbie Ward touched down for 36-10.

League One side Doncaster RLFC stunned Championship side Batley Bulldogs as they claimed a 16-12 win. A tight first half saw a single score as Connor Bower crossed on 37 minutes with Jordie Hedges kicking for a 6-0 lead.

Michael Ward's try after the restart saw David Scott convert to level at 6 all before Wayne Reittie put the Bulldogs ahead, Scott converting for a 12-6 lead. Doncaster battled back with Menzie Yere's score before a Sam Doherty try saw Hedges convert to confirm the 16-12 victory.

The round came to an end with a Golden Point win as Bradford Bulls edged a 27-26 win over rivals Featherstone Rovers. Rovers struck inside three minutes as Jack Broadbent crossed, Watson Boas converting for a 6-0 lead that became 8-0 with a enalty goal on 11 minutes. Bradford hit back with Ethan Ryan's try and Elliot Minchella's conversion for 8-6 before Minchella levelled with a penalty goal.

Fev led 14-8 into the interval via a late Josh Hardcastle try and Boas conversion before two tires in three minutes after the hour from James Harrison and Jack Render saw Boas add a conversion for 26-8. Bradford's fighting spirit saw them cur the gap through Dalton Grant (Minchella conv) to 26-14 before an epic coeback saw Jordan Lilley and David Foggin-Johnston touch don in the final three minutes, Minchella converted both to force extra time at 26-26. The Bulls' comeback was richly rewarded as Lilley swept over a drop goal to seal a 27-26 success. 

2019 Super League Round Ten Part Two Review

Round ten began earlier in the season with the quartet of London, Leeds, Salford and Hull KR facing off due to this weekend being when they would enter the Challenge Cup. The second half of the round began on Thursday night as Huddersfield Giants edged a 20-18 win over Castleford Tigers.

The Tigers raced into a 6-0 lead with a Greg Eden try and Peter Mata'utia conversion inside three minutes which was cancelled out ten minutes later by Alex Mellor's score which Darnell McIntosh improved for 6 all. A Mata'utia penalty goal on 23 minutes saw the Tigers lead 8-6 into the interval before Mellor's second try three minutes after the restart saw McIntosh kick the Giants into a 12-8 advantage.

Matt Cook (Mata'utia conv) crossed to make it 14-12 to the Tigers but Hudds battled back level with a McIntosh penalty for 14 all before he kicked them into a 16-14 lead with a third penalty of the evening. Mata'utia replied with two penalties of his own after the hour to give Cas an 18-16 lead which was quickly erased by Mellor's hat-trick try which sealed the win.

In attendance at The Mobile Rocket Stadium on Friday night as Wakefield Trinity claimed a 30-20 win over Wigan Warriors. The Warriors struck first with Joe Burgess touching down on 22 minutes for a 4-0 lead that looked enough to lead at the interval. Trin had other ideas as they ran in three tries in the final four minutes of the half, Craig Kopczak, Joe Arundel and Max Jowitt crossing with Danny Brough converting twice for 16-4 at the break.

The hosts took just two minutes to extend their spree as Ben Jones-Bishop raced over, Brough kicking for 22-4 before adding a penalty eight minutes later for 24-4. Wigan cut the gap with a George Williams try before Jones-Bishop's second score and Brough's conversion made it 30-8. Wigan fought back with two further tries from Burgess as he completed his hat-trick, Morgan Escare converted both for 30-20 but the final say on the tie came as the clock hit zero with Pauli Pauli sin-binned after a scuffle.

The televised action saw St Helens go clear at the top as they cruised to a 38-12 over fellow high-flyers Warrington Wolves. Saints opened the scoring with a Lachlan Coote penalty goal on 11 minutes for 2-0 before a Blake Austin try and Stefan Ratchford conversion gave the Wolves a 6-2 lead. Mark Percival's 20th minute try drew Saints level ahead of a Coote penalty which saw them lead 8-6. Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Jonny Lomax crossed late in the half after the Wolves had Mike Cooper sent to the sin-bin with Coote converting twice for 20-6 into the interval.

Warrington ended Saints' spree with a Daryl Clark try and Ratchford conversion for 20-12 before Matty Lees and a Regan Grace penalty try saw Coote convert thrice for 34-12. The win was rounded off on 65 minutes with a Tommy Makinson try for 38-12 as the hosts retook top spot.

The round ended in stunning style on Saturday evening as Hull FC claimed 31-30 Golden Point win at Catalans Dragons. The Dragons struck inside five minutes through Tony Gigot with Sam Tomkins converting for 6-0 before adding a 21st minute penalty for 8-0. FC hit back with debuting duo Jack Brown and Connor Wynne crossing and Marc Sneyd converting both for 12-8.

FC led into the interval as Sneyd improved a late score from Josh Griffin for 18-8 at the break. Les Dracs cut the gap through Jason Baitieri (Tomkins conv) for 18-14 before a second Griffin try (Sneyd conv) made it 24-14. Ben Garcia (Tomkins conv) and Bureta Faraimo exchanged tries as FC led 28-20 ahead of Catalans cutting the gap to 28-24 with a Fouad Yaha try on 68 minutes.

A frantic finish saw the Dragons denied a potential match winning try by the VR but as Sam Kasiano touched down and Tomkins converted they hosts looked to have sealed a 30-28 win. The drama continued in the final seconds with FC's restart failing to reach ten but with Brayden Williame collecting, the visitors were awarded a penalty which Sneyd swept over from halfway for 30 all. Golden Point began with a Catalans error in receiving the kick-off and FC took full advantage with Sneyd kicking a one-pointer to seal a 31-30 win as FC became the first side to win by GP twice in 2019.

2019 Super League Round Nine Review

Round nine began with Hull Kingston Rovers ending an eight year wait as they claimed a 45-26 home win over Leeds Rhinos on Thursday night.

Rovers raced into an 18-0 lead inside 20 minutes as Tommy Lee, ex-Rhinos back Danny McGuire and Will Oakes all crossed with Craig Hall converting twice and adding a penalty goal. Leeds hit back through Konrad Hurrell with Liam Sutcliffe converting for 18-6 before Rovers resumed their control with another ex-Rhino scoring, Mitch Garbutt touching down ahead of a Junior Vaivai try, Hall improving both for 30-6.

Hurrell claimed his second try of the evening four minutes before half-time with McGuire's drop goal on the hooter sending Rovers into the interval leading 31-10. Leeds staged a comeback in the second half with Brad Singleton crossing on 50 minutes before a Hurrell hat-trick try on the hour and with Sutcliffe kicking both the gap was 31-22.

Hall kicked a penalty goal for 33-22 before a Josh Drinkwater try on 70 minutes made it 37-22. Leeds had hopes of a frantic finish as Hurrell claimed his fourth try for 37-26 but a third Hall penalty goal and last-gasp Ben Crooks try saw Hall successful for an eighth time to wrap up a huge 45-26 win.

In attendance on Friday night at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle as Castleford Tigers came from behind to claim a 38-28 win over Wigan Warriors. A superb start by the Warriors saw Joe Greenwood, Oliver Gildart and George Williams all crossing for tries with ex-Tigers back Zak Hardaker converting only the latter for 14-0. Joe Burgess increased the lead further with a try which Hardaker improved for 24-0 before Oliver Holmes touched down to make it 24-4.

Gildart claimed his second try for the Warriors before Callum Turner went over for the hosts to make it 24-8 into the interval. The Tigers staged a superb comeback after the interval as Mitch Clark, Matt Cook and Adam Milner all touched down with Peter Mata'utia converting the lot for a 26-24 advantage. Wigan regained the lead with a second Burgess try at 28-26 before a late score from Tuoyo Egodo saw Mata'utia convert before wrapping up the win with a last-gasp self-converted try for 38-28.

A tight game at the Mobile Rocket Stadium saw Wakefield Trinity edge a 17-16 win over Huddersfield Giants. Trinity struck first through Recce Lyne for 4-0 before Jermaine McGillvary levelled for 4-4. Oliver Russell's penalty goal put the Giants 6-4 ahead before Darnell McIntosh's try on 32 minutes sent the visitors into the interval leading 10-4.

David Fifita's try after the hour saw Danny Brough convert for 10 all before Hudds went ahead again with ten minutes to go, McIntosh claiming his second score and Russell kicking for 16-10. Wakefield levelled with Fifita's second try which Brough converted for 16 all before the ex-Hudds back haunted his former club further with a match-winning drop goal two minutes later for 17-16.

Warrington Wolves continued their great start with a 48-12 home win over London Broncos. The Wolves struck first with Tom Lineham crossing for 4-0 before Josh Charnley, Blake Austin and Jason Clark added tries which saw Stefan Ratchford convert twice for a 20-0 half-time advantage.

London cut the gap with a Nathan Mason try which Kieran Dixon converted for 20-6 before three tries in four minutes from Ratchford, Atkins and Austin saw Ratchford convert all but his own for 36-6 before another London try from Matty Gee saw Dixon kick for 36-12. The Wolves wrapped up the win with two tries from Lineham as he completed his hat-trick late on with Ratchford converting for a sixth time for 48-12

Saturday evening saw St Helens perfect start ended in an 18-10 defeat at Catalans Dragons. The Saints raced out of the blocks with Dom Peyroux crossing and Lachlan Coote converting for 6-0 inside four minutes. Catalans levelled within three minutes as Fouad Yaha touched down with Sam Tomkins converting for 6 all. Tommy Makinson restored Saints' lead with a 25th minute try for 10-6 before Tomkins sent the Dragons into the interval level at 10 all after a 33rd minute try.

The Dragons took the lead three minutes after the restart with a Tomkins penalty goal for 12-10 before Tony Gigot's 74th minute try and Tomkins' conversion made it 18-10 and handed Saints their first defeat of the season.

The round ended on Sunday with Salford Red Devils suffering a 23-16 defeat to Hull FC. The visitors struck first through former Salford back Josh Griffin with fellow ex- Red Devil Marc Sneyd converting before adding a penalty goal six minutes later for 8-0. Salford responded with a Josh Jones try which Ed Chamberlain converted for 8-6 before Sneyd added a second penalty goal before the interval for a 10-6 half-time advantage.

Griffin completed his hat-trick with two tries in four minutes with Sneyd adding a conversion for 20-6 before Niall Evalds try before the hour made it 20-10. Sneyd added another penalty goal for 22-10 before Salford cut the gap again through Jackson Hastings, Chamberlain kicking for 22-16. FC wrapped up the win three minutes later with a Sneyd drop goal for 23-16.

2019 Womens Super League Round One Review

The opening round of the 2019 Womens Super League began at Odsal as Bradford Bulls Ladies claimed a 38-16 over Featherstone Rovers Ladies. The Bulls raced into a 10-0 lead with tries from Amy Hardcastle and Stacey Greenwood and a conversion from Leah Jones inside the first 17 minutes.

Greenwood scored her second try on the half hour with Jones kicking for 16-0 before a self-converted Katie Hepworth try cut the gap to 16-6 before he improved another effort before the interval for 16-12. Bradford began the second half with a second Hardcastle try (Jones conv) for 22-12 before Greenwood completed her hat-trick ahead of a third for Hardcastle with the Bulls in control. Fev cut the gap with a try before Savannah Andrade crossed and Jones took her total to five successes with the boot to complete the 38-16 victory.

In attendance at Robin Park Arena as reigning champions Wigan Warriors were edged 6-4 by fierce rivals St Helens. Wigan made a perfect start as Alison Burrows collected a cross-field kick from Gemma Walsh to touch down for 4-0 with Michelle Davis unable to convert from out wide. Saints levelled with a try from Leah Burke for 4-4 with the wide angle seeing Faye Gaskin unable to convert.

The game remained tight into the second half with Saints missing a chance to go ahead as Beth Stott missed a long range penalty goal after Davis had been sin binned. The final minutes saw a double blow for the Warriors as Sarah Harrison was sin binned after a scuffle with Gaskin kicking the resulting penalty goal to seal the 6-4 win.

2018 double winners Leeds Rhinos Women opened with a 58-4 win over debuting Wakefield Trinity Ladies at Weetwood Sports Park. The Rhinos started rapidly with Elle Frain touching down in the opening minute before Caitlin Beevers scored twice with Tasha Gaines converting only the latter for 16-0. Sophie Robinson, Aimee Staveley and Danielle Anderson all crossed with Gaines converting the lot for a 34-0 advantage that was cut to 34-4 by Saskia Lewis' try before half-time.

The second half saw the Rhinos resume their control with Frankie Townsend and Sophie Nuttall crossing before a second try for Anderson made it 46-4. A self-converted try from Gaines brought up the half century at 52-4 before she converted a late try from Amy Johnson for 58-4.

The final game of the round saw Castleford Tigers Women ease to an 80-0 hammering of York City Knights Ladies at YSF Playing Fields. The Tigers raced into a 16-0 lead with tries from Lacey Owen, Georgie Hetherington and Esme Renyolds with Tara Stanley converting twice. Owen scored her second before a self-converted effort from Stanley and second try from Renyolds made it 32-0 at the interval.

Renyolds and Hetherington completed their hat-tricks before Lucy Eastwood and Kelsey Gentles also went in before the hour mark, Stanley converting twice for 56-0. Grace Field's try and a Stanley conversion brought up the 60 point mark before inaugural Women of Steel winner Georgia Roche crossed (Stanley conv ) for 68-0. Second scores for Stanley and Field rounded off the win with Stanley converting for a tenth time for 80-0. 

2019 Warriors Academy Attendances - March

March saw a perfect treble of victories watching the Wigan Warriors Academy with the only negative being the 16s tie against City of Hull Academy cancelled due to the bad weather.

The first game saw 40 mins viewing at Ealing Trailfinders as the young Warriors claimed a 46-26 win over London Broncos, an extra coach stop meant missing the first half but and a strong London charge saw Wigan under pressure in the second half. Scores from Harry Rushton, Morgan Smithies, Joe Shorrocks and Aiden Roden sealed the win which was a positive on an afternoon where the seniors later lost out.

The first visit to Robin Park Arena six days later saw the Warriors ease to a 54-14 win over Huddersfield Giants but it was the Giants who struck first as Lucas Hallas crossed and Josh Pinder converted for 6-0 inside the opening minute. Wigan hit back with efforts from Jake Sculthorpe and Harry Rushton, Callum Green improving both for 12-6. Louis Senior's try cut the gap to 12-10 before a self-converted try from Green gave the Warriors a 24-10 half-time advantage.

The Giants struck first in the second half as Dominic Young went over for 24-14 but any hint of a comeback was ended by four Wigan tries in the space of 13 minutes. Oscar Stone, Umyla Hanley, Amir Bourouh and Ryan Forshaw all crossing with Green converting the lot for a huge 48-14 lead. The rout was completed seven minutes from the end as Hanley went over for his second try with Green ending the afternoon with a 100% record from nine attempts at 54-14.

A stunning end to the month saw Newcastle Thunder struck by a lightning hot Warriors side as they cruised to a 72-0 victory. Wigan led 14-0 after the first quarter with scores from Ben Holcroft, Umyla Hanley and Reece Hamlett with Sam Halsall adding a single conversion. A brace from Brad O'Neill saw Halsall convert both (26-0) before my highlight of the game just before the interval, Hanley's superb no-look offload sent Holcroft clear for his second with Halsall kicking for 32-0.

Wigan took just seconds to extend their advantage after the restart as James McDonnell touched down, Halsall converted before scoring a try of his own and converting for 44-0 with just 51 minutes played. Aiden Roden went in ahead of the hour with a Corey Hall brace following, Halsall taking his total to eight successes at 60-0. Newcastle's miserable afternoon was completed by two late scores as Hanley and McDonnell crossed for their second efforts of the game and Halsall hit double figures with his ninth and tenth conversions for a whopping 72-0 win.

2019 Super League Round Eight Review

Round eight began with Leeds Rhinos ending their losing streak in spectacular style on Thursday night with a 21-20 Golden Point win over Castleford Tigers. The first televised GP victory in Super League began with the Rhinos racing into a 4-0 lead inside three minutes as Konrad Hurrell crossed. Liam Watts drew the Tigers level with a 22nd minute try before Ash Handley's effort and a late Liam Sutcliffe penalty goal saw the hosts lead 10-4 into the interval.

The Rhinos took control with Sutcliffe and Trent Merrin both crossing before the hour with Cameron Smith converting the latter for 20-4. Cas fought back superbly with three scores in 11 minutes, Greg Minkin, ex-Rhinos forward Chris Clarkson and Alex Foster all touching down with Callum Turner converting all but the latter for 20 all. Both sides attempted match-winning drop goals with Jake Trueman and Sutcliffe wide of the target before an epic 40 yard one-pointer in the first minute of extra time from Brad Dwyer sealed the win for the Rhinos.

St Helens survived a scare as they maintained their 100% record with a 36-24 win over Hull Kingston Rovers. A self-converted try from Lachlan Coote put the hosts 6-0 ahead before Jack Welsby and Luke Thompson crossed with Coote's conversion making it 6-0 after the first quarter. KR responded with a brace from Kane Linnett either side of Will Oakes' try and with Ryan Shaw converting the lot, they led 18-16 into the interval.

A Coote penalty goal within five minutes of the restart levelled at 18 all before Shaun Lunt's try and a Shaw conversion restored KR's lead at 24-18. The sides were level again on the hour as Kyle Amor crossed and Coote kicked for 24-24. Saints went ahead for the first time in the second half just two minutes later as Aaron Smith (Coote conv) touched down for 30-24. The win was sealed so minutes from the end as Regan Grace went over with Coote successful for the sixth time with the boot for 36-24.

Friday's televised action saw Warrington Wolves ease to a 63-12 hammering of Hull FC at the KCOM Stadium. The Wolves raced out of the blocks with braces from Blake Austin and Josh Charnley coupled with a Daryl Clark try and four conversions from Stefan Ratchford for a 28-0 lead inside 23 minutes. Austin completed his hat-trick on the half hour with Ratchford kicking for 34-0 before FC ended the Wolves spree just before half-time as Albert Kelly touched down with Marc Sneyd converting for 34-6.

Warrington took just two minutes of the second half to resume control as Ben Murdoch Masila crossed and Ratchford kicking for 40-6. A fourth score from Austin (Ratchford conv) and try from Ex-FC winger Tom Lineham made it 48-6 before the hour but with Charnley claiming his hat-trick try and Ratchford converting, the lead became 54-6. FC reached double figures three minutes later as Jordan Lane went over with Sneyd converting for 54-12. The last meeting between the sides saw Wire reach 80 and in the final ten minutes then breached 60 with Lineham scoring his second try with a ninth Ratchford conversion and late Austin drop goal completing the rout.

In attendance at the DW on Sunday as Wigan Warriors eased to a 42-0 win over Catalans Dragons. A tight first half saw Joe Burgess open the scoring and Zak Hardaker convert for 6-0 on 22 minutes before Hardaker kicked a penalty goal on the hooter for 8-0 into the interval. A second for Burgess within nine minutes of the restart and Hardaker penalty goal made it 14-0 before Wigan ran in three tries in eight minutes as Oliver Gildart and Hardaker crossed either side of Burgess' hat-trick score with Hardaker adding two conversions for 36-0. The rout was completed late on by Jarrod Sammut's spectacular score with Hardaker kicking a seventh conversion of the afternoon for 42-0.

Wakefield Trinity continued their good start to the season with a 33-22 win over Salford Red Devils. The hosts struck first as David Fifita touched down inside four minutes with Danny Brough converting for 6-0 which soon became 6-6 as Niall Evalds crossed and Ed Chamberlain converted for Salford. Two scores in six minutes put Trinity back ahead, Ryan Hampshire and Reece Lyne crossing with Brough improving both for 18-6. Kris Welham went in to cut the gap to 18-10 before Pauli Pauli's try (Brough conv) made it 24-10 into the interval.

Jacob Miller (Brough conv) crossed to increase the lead to 30-10 before two scores in as many minutes for Salford saw Derrell Olpherts and Jackson Hastings touch down with Chamberlain improving both for 30-22. Trinity wrapped up the win with a penalty and drop goal from Brough for 33-22.

The round ended with Huddersfield Giants continuing their recent revival with a 38-26 win at London Broncos. The Giants flew out of the blocks with Joe Wardle and Jordan Turner crossing either side of an Alex Walker score for the hosts with Lee Gaskell and Kieran Dixon improving the tries for 12-6. Akuila Uate extended the lead to 16-6 on 13 minutes before a frantic final ten minutes of the half saw Jermaine McGillvary and Sebastien Ikahihifo going in with Gaskell kicking twice for 28-6. The hosts cut the gap just before the interval through Jay Pitts with Dixon kicking for 28-12.

London cut the gap further within four minutes of the restart through Rhys Williams (Dixon conv) for 28-18 but Hudds responded with Uate's second (Gaskell conv) for 34-18. The hosts remained in the hunt with Dixon crossing on the hour to make it 34-22 but Alex Mellor's try five minutes later looked to seal the points for the Giants. London did have the final say though with Dixon crossing for his second try late on for 38-26