2019 Super League Round 14 Review

In attendance on Thursday night as round 14 began at the DW Stadium with Wigan Warriors claiming an 18-8 win over London Broncos. The Broncos edged in front early on with a Kieran Dixon penalty goal for 2-0 before a Jake Shorrocks try and Zak Hardaker conversion saw the Warriors lead 6-2.

London regained their two point lead on 20 minutes as Jay Pitts crossed and Dixon converted for 8-6. The lead lasted into the interval but ended on 49 minutes as Chris Hankinson capitalised on a mistake to touch down for a try which Hardaker improved for a 12-8 advantage. The hosts wrapped up the victory just before the hour mark as Morgan Escaré went over with Hardaker kicking his third success for 18-8.

Friday night saw a quartet of games starting with the televised action from the Mend-A-Hose Jungle as Warrington Wolves secured a 26-14 win over Castleford Tigers. The Tigers struck the opening score as Cory Aston crossed inside eight minutes with Peter Mata'utia converting for a 6-0 lead that lasted five minutes before Mike Cooper's try and Stefan Ratchford's conversion levelled at 6 all.

Warrington took the lead with a Ratchford penalty goal on 27 minutes before Toby King's try extended the lead to 12-6 and a Ratchford penalty seconds before the interval sent the Wolves into half-time with a 14-6 lead. A rapid restart from the visitors saw a second try for King and Ben Currie crossing inside six minutes with Ratchford improving both for a huge 26-6 advantage. The Tigers hit back through Tuoyo Egodo and Greg Minikin for 26-14 but to no avail as Warrington held on for the win.

For the second time this season, Wakefield Trinity secured a narrow one-point win over Huddersfield Giants as they edged a 26-25 victory. An early brace from Mason Caton-Brown and conversions from Ryan Hampshire saw Trinity lead 12-0 before Matt Frawley's try and Oliver Russell's conversion cut the gap to 12-6.

David Fifita (Hampshire conv) crossed to regain a six point lead at 12-6 on 24 minutes with the lead lasting into the interval. However, a stunning fightback from Hudds saw them turn the game around with three scores in eight minutes, Jermaine McGillvary raced over for a brace before Adam O'Brien touched down and with Russell converting the lot, they led 24-18. Wakefield levelled with Ben Jones-Bishop crossing and Hampshire kicking for 24 all before late drama saw a Russell drop goal put Hudds 25-24 up only for a Hampshire penalty goal seal a 26-25 win for Trinity.

Catalans Dragons stormed to a 37-6 win over Hull FC at the KCOM Stadium which began with a Sam Tomkins penalty goal giving the Dragons a 2-0 lead inside ten minutes. FC responded with a Mickey Paea try and Jake Connor conversion for 6-2 before Fouad Yaha crossed and Tomkins converted for 8-6 on 22 minutes. Further scores from Tony Gigot and Brayden Wiliame saw Tomkins add a conversion for an 18-6 half-time lead.

The Dragons continued their control with tries from Arthur Romano and Matt Whitley within eight minutes of the restart with conversions from Tomkins making it 30-6. The gloss on the win came late on as Gigot kicked a drop goal before the final minute saw Samisoni Langi cross while Tomkins kicked a sixth conversion for 37-6.

Leeds Rhinos's mixed season continued with a 28-16 loss to Salford Red Devils at the AJ Bell Stadium. The hosts raced out of the blocks with a seventh minute try from Lee Mossop which Krisnan Inu converted for 6-0. Adam Walker extended the lead with a 22nd minute effort with Inu kicking for 12-0. The lead was cut just before the interval by Mikolaj Oledzki's try which saw Liam Sutcliffe convert for 12-6 into half-time.

Joey Lussick crossed within four minutes of the restart for Salford to make it 16-6 with Walker claiming his second try (Inu conv) for a 22-6 advantage. Salford looked to have the win wrapped up on 65 minutes with Inu improving Robert Lui's try for 28-6. Leeds fought back with two tries in three minutes as Harry Newman and Ash Handley crossed with Sutcliffe converting just the latter for 28-16.

The round came to an end on Sunday afternoon as St Helens came from behind to win 42-26 at Hull Kingston Rovers.A rapid start from Rovers saw them lead 12-0 inside 13 minutes with Danny Addy and Ryan Shaw crossing for tries which Shaw converted. Saints replied through Kevin Naiqama with Lachlan Coote converting for 12-6 before a Shaw penalty goal made it 14-6. Saints cut the gap on the half hour as Tommy Makinson went over and Coote kicked for 14-12 but they would then go on to lead into the interval as Naiqama claimed his second try with Coote converting for an 18-14 half-time lead.

KR regained the lead within four minutes of the restart as Jimmy Keinhorst crossed and Shaw converted for 20-18 but Saints hit back quickly through Jonny Lomax to lead 22-20. They extended the lead four minutes later with a second Makinson try (Coote conv) for 28-20. KR responded with Will Oakes touching down and Shaw kicking for 28-26 but it was to be their last say on the scoreline. Saints took control in the final quarter with Naiqama and Makinson completing hat-tricks ahead of a late score from Regan Grace, Coote converting just the latter for a 42-26 victory.