Sunday, 12 December 2021

My 2021 Academy Attendances

After a return to attending began in May with the Super League, both the Women's and the Academy had to wait to welcome fans, the Women's is covered in the round reviews but Academy wise, just two attendances this season.

Hull KR (H)


Bradford Bulls (H)



Saturday, 11 December 2021

2021 Women's Super League Play-Off/Shield Semi Finals & Grand Finals (Catch-Up)

The catch-up of the 2021 Women's Super League season culminates in this post with the semi finals and Grand Finals of both the Play-Offs and Shield. 


Super Saints Crush Castleford 

St Helens cruised into the Super League Play-Offs Grand Final after a 58-0 hammering of Castleford Tigers Women at the Totally Wicked Stadium. The hosts stormed into a 20-0 lad inside the opening 24 minutes with Carrie Roberts, Paige Travis, Tara Jones, Jodie Cunningham and Leah Burke all crossing for tries. The lead became 32-0 into the interval as Cunningham struck for a second time and Channy Crowl touched down with Zoe Harris converting twice.

Braces for Jones, Travis and Burke came before the hour mark with Harris converting all but the latter score for 48-0 before she improved an effort from Dani Bush on 72 minutes with Burke completing her hat-trick in the final minutes to round off the 58-0 rout. 

Rhinos Edge Out City Knights 

Leeds Rhinos Women sealed a spot in the Play-Offs Grand Final with a 22-18 win over York City Knights Ladies at the Totally Wicked Stadium. York started the better of the two sides with Olivia Wood crossing inside three minutes and Emma Hardy converting for 6-0 before adding a try of her own for 10-0. Leeds hot back with Tasha Gaines crossing for 10-4 before Kelsey Gentles went in for York on the half hour mark to ensure a lead of 14-4 into the interval.

Leeds were level by the hour mark as a self converted try from Courtney Winfield-Hill cut the gap to 14-10 before Sophie Nuttall's effort made it 14-14. The Rhinos completed the turnaround on 64 minutes with Nuttall crossing for her second try with Winfield-Hill converting to put them ahead for the first time at 20-14. York cut the gap to 20-18 with Hardy going in for her second try but it was the Rhinos who celebrated overall with Winfield-Hill adding a penalty goal on 74 minutes to wrap up a 22-18 victory. 



Rovers Rally Past Battling Bulls

Featherstone Rovers Ladies sealed a spot in the Shield Grand Final with a 30-12 win over Bradford Bulls Women at the Millennium Stadium. Rovers struck first with Brogan Kennedy crossing for 4-0 before Bailey Alexander touched down to level at 4-4. Hannah Donald went over to put the Bulls 8-4 ahead and the lead remained into the interval. 

Fev hit back ten minutes after the restart as Brogan Churm crossed and Katie Hepworth converted for 10-8 before a second try from Kennedy extended the lead to 14-8. Bradford cut the gap with a Sarah Dunn effort for 14-12 but on the hour mark, Fev restored a two score advantage with an Olivia Grace try and Hepworth conversion for 20-12. Hepworth added a penalty goal before a momentous score rounded off the afternoon as Rovers veteran Andrea Dobson crossed in her final home game before retirement with Hepworth confirming the win with a conversion for a 30-12 final score. 


Giants Glory Against Wolves

Huddersfield Giants Women secured a spot in Shield final with a Golden Point Extra Time victory of 30-26 against Warrington Wolves Women. The Wolves truck first with a Michelle Davis try for 4-0 before improving a score from Georgia Sutherland to make it 10-0. Ellie Jelves crossed to extend the lead to 14-0 before Hudds got off the mark with a Rachael Barker try which Frankie Townend converted for 14-6 into the interval.

Warrington restored their three score lead with 44 minutes played as Sutherland crossed for a second time with Davis kicking for 20-6 but Hudds soon battled back to 20-16 with scores from Bethan Oates and Ellie Thompson coupled with a conversion from Townend. The Wolves looked to have sealed the win with a Georgia Westwood try (Davis conv) to make it 26-16 with nine minutes remaining but Hudds had other ideas as Amelia Brown crossed twice in three minutes with Townend converting only the latter to force Golden Point Extra Time. The comeback was complete for the Giants on 93 minutes as Erin Stott crossed to seal an historic 30-26 win. 

Hudds Hurrah As Rovers Rue


Huddersfield Giants Women capped off a superb season with a narrow 24-22 over Featherstone Rovers Ladies in the Shield Grand Final, which at the time of writing meant they were placed in the higher tier of the 2022 Women's Super League. The Giants opened the scoring with a self-converted try from Frankie Townend for a 6-0 lead before Chloe Billington crossed to cut the gap to 6-4. The two sides exchanged scores as Bridget Campbell (Townend conv) crossed for Hudds and Olivia Grace went over for Fev with Katie Hepworth kicking for 12-10 into the interval.

Brogan Churm (Hepworth conv) crossed within four minutes of the restart to put Rovers ahead at 16-12 before a rapid brace from Amelia Brown saw Townend convert both for a 24-16 lead for the Giants just before the hour mark. Churm claimed her second try on 63 minutes which Hepworth converted to close the gap to 24-22 but the Giants held on to the narrow lead to claim the Shield. 


Super Saints Seal Treble Triumph

St Helens Women stormed to a 28-0 victory against Leeds Rhinos Women in the Play-Offs Grand Final to complete an historic treble having won the League Leaders Shield and Challenge Cup earlier in the season. Saints suffered an early blow with the sinbinning of Jodie Cunningham inside ten minutes before opening the scoring on 20 minutes through Leah Burke for 4-0. Cunningham crossed just before half-time with Beth Stott kicking for a 10-0 lead into the interval. 

Burke claimed her second try before Amy Hardcastle raced over on the hour mark to push the lead to 18-0 and with Zoe Harris (Stott conv) and Dani Bush crossing, Saints wrapped up a 28-0 victory to complete the clean sweep.

Monday, 6 December 2021

2021 Womens Super League Shield & Play-Offs Round Five (Catch-up)

The 2021 Women's Super League entered the final round of the split with Round 5 of both the Shield and Play-Offs.


Rovers Rally Past Wolves

Featherstone Rovers Ladies continued their good form with a 34-18 win over Warrington Wolves Women at Victoria Park. Rovers raced into an 18-0 lead with tries from Brogan Kennedy, Gabbi Harrison and Andrea Dobson with Katie Hepworth converting the lot. Warrington cur the gap with a couple of tries (scorers unknown) which Michelle Davis converted for 18-12 before Grace Dyke touched down to give Rovers a 22-12 lead into the interval.

Sadly, updates were limited in the second half aside from the news Featherstone scored two tries which Hepworth converted and the Wolves one score and a Davis conversion for a 34-18 final score. 

Brilliant Bulls Trounce Trinity

Bradford Bulls Women sealed a semi-final spot with a 46-6 win over Wakefield Trinity Ladies at Odsal. The Bulls flew out of the blocks with a self-converted try from Sarah Dunnefforts from Kacy Haley, Millie Taylor and Linda McLean with Dunn adding a conversion for a 20-0 lead after 25 minutes. The spree continued with Dani Bose and Cara Cookland both going over for tries which opened up a 28-0 lead into the interval.

McLean claimed her second try within two minutes of the restart before Bose struck twice in three minutes to complete her hat-trick for a 40-0 advantage. Wakefield got off the mark in the final ten minutes as Abby Price crossed and converted for 40-6 but the final say went to the Bulls as Haley claimed her second try of the evening with Dnnn converting for a 46-6 final score. 

City Knights Topple Tigers 


York City Knights Ladies wrapped up up a semi-final spot as they won 28-14 against Castleford Tigers Women at the LNER Community Stadium. The hosts opened up a 12-0 lead with tries from Olivia Wood and ex-Tigers back Kelsey Gentles which Emma Hardy converted. Castleford replied with Jasmine Cudjoe crossing and Courtney Pursglove converting to cut the gap to 12-6, a score line which lasted into the interval. 

A self-converted try from Hardy opened the scoring for the second half to make it 18-6 before another ex-Tiger in Tamzin Renouf crossed for a try which Hardy improved for a 24-6 lead. Castleford remained in hope with a Shona Hoyle effort cutting the gap to 24-10 but the win was confirmed for the City Knights on 71 minutes as Savannah Andrade went over for 28-10. The Tigers did have the final say though with Pursglove crossing in the 77th minute for a 28-14 final score.


Saints Seal LLS Against Warriors


St Helens Women wrapped up the League Leaders Shield with a 52-0 derby demolition of Wigan Warriors Women at the Totally Wicked Stadium. The Saints opened the scoring inside two minutes as Carrie Roberts crossed for 2-0 before Rachel Woosey extended the lead to 8-0 with a 10th minute effort. The hosts led 14-0 into the interval as Roberts claimed her second try and Beth Stott converted. 

Saints dominated in the second half with efforts from Paige Travis and Alice Sandham either side of a second score from Woosey with Stott converting the lot for 32-0 before the hour mark. Leah Burke crossed for 36-0 before a brace from Amy Hardcastle sandwiched a Naomi Williams try with Stott converting twice to wrap up a huge 52-0 win that put Saints just two wins away from an historic treble. Highlights of the action can be seen here

Saturday, 4 December 2021

2021 Super League Play-Off Semi Finals / Grand Final (Catch-Up)

The 2021 Super League season came to an end with two hard fought semi's finals an historic Grand Final. 


Dragons Delight Halts Hull KR Hopes

Catalans Dragons reached their first ever Super League Grand Final after winning 28-10 against Hull Kingston Rovers at Stade Gilbert Brutus. The Dragons struck first with Ben Garcia crossing inside nine minutes with James Maloney converting for a 6-0 lead that became 12-0 on the half-hour with Josh Drinkwater's try which Maloney improved. KR gave themselves hope before half-time though as Shaun Kenny-Dowall touched down for 12-4 into the interval.

However, Catalans wasted no time in regaining control as Arthur Morgue crossed within a minute of the restart for 16-4 before Fouad Yaha made it 20-4 with a try on the hour mark. Joe Chan looked to have ended any hopes for the visitors as he crossed for a try which Maloney converted for 26-4 but the Robins did hit back though Ryan Hall with Abdull converting for 26-10. The win and the historic spot in the GF were wrapped up late on by Maloney's penalty for 28-10.

Stellar Saints Rout Rhinos


St Helens sealed a third consecutive Grand Final spot with a comfortable 36-8 win over Leeds Rhinos at the Totally Wicked Stadium. The hosts stormed into a 14-0 lead inside 25 minutes as Regan Grace and James Roby crossed for tries which saw Lachlan Coote improve the latter after a brace of penalty goals. Leeds cut the gap just before the break with Richie Myler touching down to ensure they held hop at 16-4 into the interval.

The Saints spree resumed in the second half with Mark Percival and Kevin Naiqama both crossing and Coote converting the latter for 24-4. Leeds cut the gap with a Luke Briscoe try for 24-8 but it proved to be their final say on the score as Percival and Grace claimed their second tries of the evening with Coote converting bot to wrap up the 36-8 victory. 


Dragons Denied As Saints Seal Historic Threepeat

St Helens sealed a 'Three-peat' as they claimed a third consecutive Super League title with a narrow 12-8 win over Catalans Dragons at Old Trafford. 

The Dragons began the showpiece final the better by taking a 2-0 lead thanks to a James Maloney penalty goal inside ten minutes. St Helens took just four minutes to respond as Kevin Naiqama crossed for 4-2 before Lachlan Coote extended their lead to 6-2 with a penalty goal. Maloney replied with a penalty goal to cut the gap to just two points making it 6-4 at the interval. 

Catalans regained the lead with a Mike McMeeken try and Maloney conversion on 50 minutes to go 10-6 ahead but their hopes of a first SL title were denied by Naiqama's second try and Coote's conversion which made it 12-10 and the narrow lead proved to be enough to hold on for the win and a third successive Super League Grand Final triumph.

2021 Super League Round 25/Play-Off Eliminators (Catch-Up)

The Super League regular season ended with Round 25 and is joined in this update by the Play-Off Eliminators.


Wolves Topple Tigers 

Warrington Wolves continued their good form with a 40-24 win over Castleford Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.  A rapid start from the Wolves saw them open up a 12-0 lead inside eight minutes as Matty Ashton and Jake Mamo both crossed for tries which were converted by Stefan Ratchford. The duo struck again either side of the half hour mark after Ratchford kicked a penalty and he went on to convert both the tries for a huge 26-0 advantage into the interval.

Ashton completed his hat-trick within five minutes of the restart with Ratchford extending his success with the boot for 32-0 before Castleford finally got off the mark with Peter Matautia crossing twice in the space of three minutes and Jordan Turner crossing out wide on the hour mark, Danny Richardson converted the lot to cut the gap to 32-18. Cas made it four scores in Just ten minutes as Grant Millington touched down and Richardson kicked to cut the gap to 32-24. Warrington ended the Tigers spree with a Ratchford penalty on 69 minutes before confirming the win late on with Connor Wrench crossing and Gareth Widdop converting for a 40-24 final score. 


Robins Seal PO Spot Despite Rhinos Defeat


Hull Kingston Rovers secured sixth spot despite losing 36-12 to Leeds Rhinos who secured fifth on the Friday night at Emerald Headingley Stadium. The hosts struck first with Robert Lui crossing and Rhyse Martin converting for 6-0 before KR drew level with a Mikey Lewis try which Jordan Abdull converted for 6-6. Leeds regained the lead with a Matt Prior try and Martin conversion before opening up a 24-6 lead into the interval after scores from Tom Holroyd and Richie Myler were converted by Martin.

Leeds continued their control of scoreboard within seven minutes of the restart as James Donaldson crossed and Martin converted for 30-6 before Ash Handley went over after the hour mark with another Martin conversion making it 36-6. before the Robins had the final say with Will Dagger touching down and Abdull converting for a 36-12 final score. 


Saints Suffer At Salford


Salford Red Devils rounded off their season on a high with a 26-14 win over St Helens at the AJ Bell Stadium. Saints opened the scoring inside six minutes as Jon Bennison crossed and Shay Martyn converted for 6-0 before Tui Lolohea cut the gap to 6-4 with a try for the hosts. Saints responded with a Jonny Lomax effort which Martyn converted before he added a penalty goal for a 14-4 lead. Salford made it a one score gap into the interval as Matty Costello went over and Chris Atkin converted for 14-10.

Salford continued the comeback in the second half as a self-converted try from Atkin put them ahead at 16-14 before Ellis Robson crossed for 20-14 and a Ken Sio effort and Krisnan Inu conversion completed the 26-14 win for the Red Devils.


Terrific Trinity Humble Hull FC


Wakefield Trinity signed off for the season in style as they eased to a 44-12 win over Hull FC at the Mobile Rocket Stadium. The hosts raced into an 18-0 lead inside the first quarter as Innes Senior. James Batchelor and Kelepi Tanginoa all crossed for tries which Mason Lino converted. Jacob Miller, David Fifita and Ryan Hampshire touched down with Lino improving just the middle score with Trinity taking a huge 34-0 lead into the interval. 

Hull got off the mark on the hour mark as Miteli Vulikijapani went over with Jake Connor converting and a few minutes later, Connor crossed himself and converted to cut the gap to 34-12. Tanginoa claimed his second try of the evening with a surprise conversion coming from Fifita before Liam Kay rounded off the rout late on with a try for a 44-12 final score.


Warriors Win As Dragons Defeated


Wigan Warriors ensured they would enter the Play-Offs on a high after a narrow 12-8 over Catalans Dragons at the DW Stadium. The hosts struck first with Willie Isa crossing on 27 minutes with Zak Hardaker converting for a 6-0 lead that lasted into the interval.

Catalans cut the gap to 6-4 on 52 minutes as ex-Warrior Tom Davies touched down before Wigan regained a double score lead with James McDonnell crossing and Hardaker kicking for 12-4. Catalans setup a frantic finish though as Mathieu Laguerre went in for a try which made it 12-8 but the Warriors held on for the win.       
                              

Giants Glory Against Centurions

Huddersfield Giants ensured a successful end to the season with a 42-24 win over Leigh Centurions at the John Smith's Stadium. The hosts opened the scoring with a try from Lewis Senior for 4-0 before Leigh replied through Jai Whitbread with Ryan Brierley converting to put the visitors 6-4 ahead. The sides exchanged scores again as Leroy Cudjoe crossed for the hosts with Oliver Russell converting before Iain Thornley went in for Leigh with Brierley converting for 12-10. Hudds turned the balance around before the interval though as Owen Trout crossed and Russell who converted then went in for a converted try of his own to make it 22-12 into half-time.

Giants took control of the game as Senior claimed his second try ahead of a Joe Greenwood effort which saw Russell convert the latter for a huge 32-12 lead. Leigh hit back through Brendan Elliot before Hudds replied with a Will Pryce try (Russell conv) to make it 38-16. Leigh continued to cut the gap as Sam Stone rolled in for 38-20 but Hudds sealed the win with a Ricky Leutele try for 42-20. The final say did go to Leigh though with Elliot scoring his second try for a 42-24 final score.


Resilient Rhinos Nil Warriors

Wigan Warriors' hopes of reaching a second consecutive Grand final ended at the first stage as they lost 8-0 to Leeds Rhinos in the Play-Off Eliminator at the DW Stadium. 

A closely fought first half saw the sides remain level into the interval with the deadlock broken on 50 minutes as Ash Handley crossed for the Rhinos with Rhyse Martin converting for 6-0, Martin wrapped up the narrow win six minutes from the end to complete a second consecutive shut-out of the Warriors with an 8-0 win that put them one win away from the Grand Final.


Robins Rout Woeful Wolves

Hull Kingston Rovers defied the odds to move one win away from a first ever Grand Final as they eased to a 19-0 win over Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

A self-converted try from Jordan Abdull saw KR go 6-0 ahead inside 17 minutes before Mikey Lewis crossed and Abdull converted for 12-0 eight minutes after the interval. Abdull added a penalty goal for 14-0 before Jimmy Keinhorst crossed to surely seal a famous win at 18-0 but Abdull added the gloss to the joy with a drop goal to complete the 19-0 win.

Sunday, 28 November 2021

2021 Women's Super League Play-Offs Round Three/ Four (Catch-Up)

The catch-up continues with the Women's Super League Play-Offs Round Three and  Four which saw only three of the four matches go ahead due to an issue with the opener as explained below. 


Saints Top After Rhinos Covid Issues


St Helens Women remain the sole unbeaten side after being awarded a 24-0 against Leeds Rhinos Women who lost top spot after having to forfeit the meeting due to Covid cases and isolations within the squad. 


Warriors Defeated As City Knights Comeback


Wigan Warriors Women's hopes of a semi-final spot hang in the balance after a 20-6 loss to York City Knights Ladies at Robin Park Arena. The Warriors opened the scoring on 18 minutes as Rebecca Greenfield touched down and Georgia Wilson converted for a 6-0 lead. York drew level on 35 minutes as Katie Langan dived over out wide with Emma Hardy converting for 6-6 but she soon improved a superb pacy try from Savannah Andrade to give the visitors a 12-6 lead into the interval.

York extended their lead through Tamzin Renouf's try within seven minutes of the restart before wrapping up the win with a score from Bethany Lambert which confirmed the 20-6 victory. My highlights can be seen here.

Super Saints Crush Castleford


St Helens Women moved closer to claiming the LLS with a comfortable 50-6 win over Castleford Tigers Women at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle. Saints flew out of the blocks with Amy Hardcastle crossing inside three minutes for 4-0 before Leah Burke and Rebecca Rotherham both went over with Zoe Harris converting once for 14-0. Hardcastle claimed her second score before the half-time with Beth Stott converting for a 20-0 advantage into the interval.

The dominance continued with Paige Travis crossing within eight minutes of the restart and Stott converting for 26-0, Hardcastle completed her hat-trick and added a fourth either side of a Zoe Harris effort with Stott converting the lot for a huge 44-0 lead. The half-century arrived with a score from Emily Rudge and sixth successful conversion from Stott before the Tigers had the final say with a Jasmine Cudjoe try which Courtney Pursglove converted for a 50-6 final score. 

Rhinos Defeat Warriors 


Wigan Warriors Women's semi final hopes all but ended as they lost out 28-10 to Leeds Rhinos Women. The Rhinos raced into a 20-0 lead inside the opening half hour with tries from Sophie Nuttall, Hanna Butcher, Fran Goldthorp and Courtney Winfield-Hill who also converted all but her own score. Wigan got off the mark before half-time with Vicky Molyneux crossing and Georgia Wilson converting for 20-6 into the interval.

Leeds regained a three score lead within two minutes of the restart with a Tasha Gaines try before sealing the win on 73 minutes with a second score from Goldthorp for 28-6. Alike the first half, Wigan had the final say on the half as Molyneux crossed for her second try of the afternoon for a 28-10 final score.

Saturday, 27 November 2021

2021 Super League Rounds 23/24 (Catch-Up)

Due to the travel restrictions around COVID, Magic Weekend (Round 23) was a homebased viewing for the first time since 2011 as was Round 24.

Tigers Triumph Over Red Devils 


Magic Weekend opened with Castleford Tigers overcoming Salford Red Devils in a 29-18 victory at St James' Park. The Tigers struck first with Paul McShane crossing inside ten minutes and Peter Matautia converting for a 6-0 lead that was matched six minutes later by a Ken Sio try and Krisnan Inu conversion for 6-6. The sides exchanged scores for a second time with Dan Smith (Matautia conv) touching down ahead of Joe Burgess (Inu conv) for 12-12. Castleford regained the lead with an Oli Holmes try for a lead of 16-12 that lasted into the interval. 

Castleford extended their lead on 50 minutes with a Jordan Turner try which Matautia converted for 22-12 before Ata Higano (Inu conv) crossed to give Salford hope at 22-18 but to no avail as a self-converted score from Matautia was followed by a Turner drop goal to put the gloss on the 29-18 victory. 

Dragons Deny Saints To Seal LLS


Catalans Dragons created history by becoming the first non-UK club to win the League Leaders Shield as their narrow 31-30 win over St Helens meant the they could no longer be caught at the top. The Dragons wasted no time in opening the scoring with Sam Tomkins crossing inside three minutes with James Maloney converting for a 6-0 lead. Saints cut the gap with a Tommy Makinson effort before opening up a 10-6 lead with a self-converted try from Lachlan Coote who then made it 12-6 on 37 minutes with a penalty goal. Saints ensured a half-time lead as Sione Matautia for an 18-6 advantage. 

Matautia doubled his tally within nine minutes of the restart with a try which Coote improved for 24-6 before the Dragons cut the gap to 24-12 with a Julian Bousquet effort and Maloney conversion. Saints resumed control with a Morgan Knowles try which Coote converted for 30-12 and with ten minutes remaining it was surely game over. Catalans had other ideas as they staged a truly epic comeback as Dean Whare, Gil Dudson and Sam Kasiano all crossed for tries in the final four minutes and with Maloney converting the lot for the sides went into Golden Point Extra time locked at 30-30. Both sides had chances with Makinson and Coote missing for Saints before Maloney swept over the winning drop goal to seal the LLS and the 31-30 win.


Rhinos Edge Past Hull FC


Leeds Rhinos kept up their play-off hopes with a narrow 25-24 win over Hull FC. The Rhinos raced into an 8-0 lead with a self-converted try from Rhyse Martin who added a penalty goal three minutes later. Hull levelled with a Danny Houghton try which Marc Sneyd converted and added a penalty to five minutes later for 8-8. FC went ahead with a Carlos Tuimavave effort which Sneyd converted for 14-8 but the exchanging continued with Harry Newman crossing and Martin converting for 14-14. FC edged ahead with another Sneyd penalty which which ensured they led 16-14 into the interval.

Sneyd extended the led further with a penalty before converting a Jake Connor effort for 24-14. Leeds mounted a comeback as Kruise Leeming and Jack Broadbent both crossed for tries which saw Martin converting only the latter meaning the sides would go into Golden Point Extra Time locked at 24-24. Leeds completed the comeback with a superb drop goal from Leeming who wrapped up the 25-24 success.

Wakefield Win Against Gutted Giants 


Wakefield Trinity continued their good form with a comfortable 32-18 win over Huddersfield Giants in Sunday's opener. Hudds struck first with a self-converted score from Will Pryce for a 6-0 lead that was soon toppled as Tom Johnstone and Ryan Hampshire both crossed for Trinity with Mason Lino converting for 12-6. The lead remained at a single score until just before the interval as Lino added a penalty goal for 14-6 into half-time.

Trinity extended the lead to 20-6 within six minutes of the restart with a Kelepi Tanginoa try which Lino converted before Hudds cut the gap to 20-12 with a Kyle Wood try which Pryce converted. Wakefield regained a three-score lead as Reece Lyne touched down and Lino kicked for 26-12 before both sides score late on, Hudds through Josh Jones (Pryce conv) for 26-18 and Chris Green (Lino conv) which sealed the 32-18 win. 

Wolves Win Against Warriors


Warrington Wolves cemented their play-off spot with a narrow 10-6 win over Wigan Warriors. A perfect start for the Wolves saw them strike inside the opening minute through Josh Thewlis who's try made it 4-0. Ex-Warrior George Williams came back to haunt his former side as he crossed for a try on 28 minutes which Stefan Ratchford converted for a 10-0 lead. Wigan avoided a first half nilling as Ethan Havard dived over in the final seconds with Harry Smith converting for 10-6 into the interval. 

The sides both pushed for more in the second half but with no success as the 10-6 score-line remained until the end as Warrington claimed the win. 

Robins Rout Centurions 


Hull KR edged closer to securing a play-off spot with a comfortable 44-6 victory over Leigh Centurions. A tight first quarter saw the sides remain level before Matty Russell crossed to put Leigh ahead with Ryan Brierley converting for a 6-0 lead. KR cut the gap to 6-4 with Ben Crooks touching down before Albert Vete crossed for a try which Joe Keyes converted to put the Robins 10-6 ahead into the interval. 

Tries from Brad Takairangi and Matt Parcell saw Keyes improve both for a 22-6 advantage within seven minutes of the restart ahead of scores from Ryan Hall and Jimmy Keinhorst both touched down either side of the hour mark with Keyes converting only the latter for 32-6. The gloss on the win came late on as Matty Storton (Keyes conv) crossed ahead of a self-completed effort from Keyes to round off the 44-6 victory. 

Saints Stroll Past Luckless Leeds


St Helens bounced back from the aching Magic defeat to ease to a 40-6 win over Leeds Rhinos at the Totally Wicked Stadium. St Helens raced into a 16-0 lead inside the opening quarter with scores from Regan Grace, Jack Welsby and Morgan Knowles with Lachlan Coote converting twice. The control continued as Tommy Makinson and Alex Walmsley both went over with Coote adding conversions for a huge 28-0 lead. Leeds avoided a first half blank with a Brad Dwyer try which Rhyse Martin converted for 28-6 into the interval.

The second half proved to be a quieter affair with Sione Matautia crossing within six minutes of the restart and Coote converting for 34-6 before a second try of the evening from Knowles which Coote improved to round off the 40-6 rout. 

Warriors Bounce Back Against FC


Wigan Warriors returned to winning ways with a 10-0 win against Hull FC at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon. A scoreless first half dominated by mixed defence and many errors from both sides burst into life in the second half with a Jake Bibby try to put the Warriors 4-0 ahead on 52 minutes. Wigan extended the lead further with a self-converted effort from Zak Hardaker for a 10-0 advantage that proved to be enough to secure the win. 

Salford Stung By Last Gasp Wolves

Warrington Wolves wrapped up a top four spot with a narrow 20-19 win over Salford Red Devils at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Salford struck first with Ken Sio crossing inside nine minutes for a try which Morgan Escaré converted for a 6-0 advantage that was soon levelled by Matty Ashton's score and Gareth Widdop's conversion for 6-6. Warrington went ahead with tries from Matty Davis and Josh Charnley with Widdop converting once for 16-6 but the gap became a single score at the interval as Sio crossed for a second time with Escaré kicking for 16-12.

Salford levelled on the hour with Tui Lolohea's try and then went ahead as Krisnan Inu converted for 18-16. Widdop drew the Wolves level at 18-18 before a drop goal-a-thon saw George Williams kick for 19-18 and Lolohea level for Salford at 19-19 to force Golden Point Extra Time. The final success with the boot came from Williams as he swept over a drop goal in the 82nd minute to seal a 20-19 win. 

Dragons Delight Dented By Giants 


Huddersfield Giants spoiled the party for Catalans Dragons' League Leaders Shield lifting with a 30-18 win at Stade Gilbert Brutus. The Dragons raced into an 18-0 lead with a Matt Whitley brace either side of a Mathieu Laguerre score with James Maloney converting the lot. Hudds hit back twice before the interval as Josh Jones and Lewis Senior both crossed and Oliver Russell converted both for 18-12 into half-time.

The second half belonged to the Giants as they levelled with Jack Cogger's try which Russell improved for 18-18 before scores either side of the hour from Oli Ashall-Bott and Matty English saw Russell continue his kicking perfection with a fifth success to complete the comeback and 30-18 win. 

Rallying Robins Topple Tigers 


Hull KR edged closer to a play-off spot with a 26-19 success over Castleford Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle. Rovers struck first with a Mikey Lewis try and Jordan Abdull conversion for 6-0 before Oli Holmes crossed for Cas with Danny Richardson kicking to level at 6-6. The sides exchanged scores is a different way as Derrell Olpherts went over for the Tigers with Richardson kicking them ahead at 12-6 before Lewis claimed his second try which Abdull improved for 12-12. The Tigers did lead at the interval though after Richardson swept over a drop goal for 13-12.

Cas extended the lead within three minutes of the restart as Niall Evalds crossed and Richardson converted for 19-12 but the Robins rallied back with a self-converted try from Matt Parcell and Luis Johnson score which saw Abdull convert for 24-19 before confirming the win with a late penalty goal for 26-19.

Centurions Celebrate Against Trinity


The round ended with a surprise result as Leigh Centurions claimed a 26-18 win over Wakefield Trinity at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday. The hosts opened the scoring with Adam Sidlow crossing and Ryan Brierley converting for 6-0 before Brierley himself crossed for 10-0. Wakefield hit back with a trio of tries before the interval as Reece Lyne, Kelepi Tanginoa and David Fifita went over with Mason Lino converting the lot for an 18-10 lead at half-time. 

Leigh cut the gap to 18-16 within a minute of the restart as Brierley claimed his second try and converted before racing in for a hat-trick which he converted for a 22-18 lead. The win was sealed for the hosts as Sam Stone went in for a try on 67 minutes or 26-18 to send the LSV faithful wild.

Friday, 26 November 2021

2021 Women's Super League Play Offs Round 2/Shield Round 4

Catch-up continues with the Women's Super League Play-Offs Round Two and Shield Round 4.


Rhinos Rally Past City Knights


Leeds Rhinos Women maintained top spot with a 14-4 win over York City Knights Ladies at the LNER Community Stadium. The hosts opened the scoring with a try from Olivia Wood inside five minutes for 4-0 before Sophie Nuttall levelled for the Rhinos on the half hour to make it 4-4 and the sides remained level into the interval.

The Rhinos completed the turnaround before the hour mark as Eloise Hayward crossed for 8-4 before Fran Goldthorp's try was converted by Courtney Winfield-Hill to wrap up the 14-4 victory.

Last Gasp Tigers Deny Warriors


Castleford Tigers Women boosted their hopes of a semi final spot with a 10-6 win over Wigan Warriors Women at Robin Park Arena. The Warriors opened the scoring through Carys Marsh with Georgia Wilson converting for a 6-0 lead after half an hour and the lead lasted into the interval.

Castleford cut the gap to 6-4 with a try from Courtney Pursglove on 69 minutes before a self-converted try from Georgia Roche completed the comeback and secured a 10-6 win for the visitors. Highlights of the action can be seen here.

Giants Glory In Trinity Trouncing


Huddersfield Giants Women continued their good form in the Shield with a huge 78-0 hammering of Wakefield Trinity Ladies. The Giants raced out of the blocks with a self-converted score from Frankie Townend for 6-0 before Amelia Brown struck a brace, Erin Stott, a scorer unknown and Olivia Rowe all crossed with Townend converting thrice for a 32-0 lead into the interval.

The second half saw a hugely dominant performance from the hosts with Stott completing her hat-trick, Emmi Manning crossing twice and Brown four times for a haul of five tries for the afternoon. Townend added four conversions and went in for a second self-converted try deep in the second half as the Giants eased to a 78-0 success.

Rovers Rally Past Bulls


Featherstone Rovers Ladies extended their perfect start to the Shield with a 28-4 over Bradford Bulls Women at the Millennium Stadium. The hosts opened the scoring with Fran Copley crossing inside seven minutes and Jess Matthews converting for 6-0. Chloe Billington went over to extend the lead to 10-0 before the Bulls got off the mark on 33 minutes with Dani Bose crossing for 10-4. A self-converted try from Matthews ensured Rovers would lead by two scores into the interval at 16-4.

Fev continued their control on the scoring with a self-converted try from Katie Hepworth just before the hour mark for 22-4 before the win was wrapped up late on by a second score from Copley which Hepworth converted for the 28-4 success.

Saturday, 20 November 2021

2021 Super League Rounds 21/22 (Catch-Up)

A hugely delayed catch-up on the Rugby League front begins with Super League Rounds 21 and 22.


Rhinos Rout Woeful Warriors


Wednesday's opener saw history made at the DW Stadium as Leeds Rhinos became the first side to hand a home nilling to Wigan Warriors with a 14-0 victory.

After a quiet first quarter, the Rhinos suffered a blow with Zane Tetevano sent to the sinbin before he was joined by team-mate Luke Briscoe on the half-hour mark but the Warriors failed to utilise the two player advantage. Leeds opened the scoring on 37 minutes as Brad Dwyer crossed and Rhyse Martin converted for 6-0 half-time lead.

Richie Myler extended the lead with a try on 46 minutes which Martin converted for 12-0 before scoring the final points of the evening with a penalty four minutes later for 14-0. Wigan pushed to try and reduce the deficit but with no luck as they suffered a first ever home nilling since moving to the DW Stadium. 

Dragons Defeat Struggling Salford


Thursday night saw Catalans Dragons extend their stay at the top with a comfortable 42-14 win over Salford Red Devils at the AJ Bell Stadium. A superb start from the Dragons saw Ben Jullien cross twice with James Maloney converting the latter for a 10-0 lead. Mickael Goudemand went over for the Dragons with Maloney kicking for a 16-0 lead that was cut to 16-6 before the interval as Harvey Livett crossed for the hosts with Krisnan Inu converting. However, Catalans restored their 16 point advantage in the final seconds of the half with Sam Kasiano crossing and Maloney converting for 22-6 into half-time. 

Salford cut the gap to 22-10 with a Dan Sarginson try within three minutes of the restart before a Maloney penalty saw the Dragons lead 24-10. Catalans wrapped up the win either side of the hour mark with efforts from Tom Davies and Joe Chan being converted by Maloney for a huge 36-10 lead. Ex-Dragons back Morgan Escare cut the gap to 34-16 before Samisoni Langi crossed in the final minute with Maloney converting for an seventh time to complete the 42-16 win. 

Wolves Win Against Giants


Warrington Wolves continued their good form with a 26-6 win over Huddersfield Giants at the John Smith's Stadium. Ex-Giants back Jake Mamo crossed for a brace which Stefan Ratchford converted for 12-0 before he added a penalty goal for 14-0 into the interval

The Wolves wrapped up the win after the hour as Mike Cooper touched down and Ratchford kicked for 20-0 before Jake Wardle ended any worries of a nilling with a try which Oliver Russell converted for 26-6. The final saw went to the Wolves as Toby King crossed and Ratchford ended the evening with five successes with the boot to complete the 26-6 win.                                                                                                                                                                

Tigers Triumph Halts Hull FC


Castleford Tigers extended their play-off hopes with a 23-12 win over Hull FC at the MKM Stadium. Cas raced out of the blocks with Jordan Turner crossing inside four minutes with Danny Richardson converting for 6-0 before FC levelled with an Adam Swift try and Marc Sneyd conversion for 6-6. Richardson kicked a drop goal on the half hour mark to give the Tigers a narrow 7-6 lead who went into the interval comfortable as Turner claimed his brace with Richardson kicking for 13-6.

Richardson increased the lead twice more before the hour with a penalty goal on 56 minutes and try three minutes later for 18-6. FC ended the Tigers' scoring spree with a Jake Connor effort and Sneyd conversion to give them hope at 19-12 but the visitors were to be the victors as Niall Evalds crossed five minutes from the end to confirm a 23-12 success. 

Trinity Topple Rueful Robins 


Wakefield Trinity returned to winning ways with a 25-18 success over Hull Kingston Rovers at Hull College Craven Park. The Robins made a rapid start with Luis Johnson and George Lawler both crossing for early tries with Ben Crooks converting once for 10-0. Wakefield replied though Jacob Miller and Ryan Hampshire with Mason Lino converting twice for a 12-10 advantage into the interval. 

The sides were level at 12-12 on 48 minutes after a Crooks penalty goal but the visitors were soon 24-12 ahead after quick scores from Innes Senior and Jay Pitts with Mason Lino converting both. The Robins cut the gap with a self-converted score from Crooks for 24-18 but any late hopes were dashed by Miller's drop goal which wrapped up the 25-18 win. 

Saints Stroll As Centurions Crushed


The final game of the round saw St Helens continued their challenge for top spot with a comfortable 42-12 win over Leigh Centurions at the Totally Wicked Stadium. A rapid start from the hosts saw Regan Grace cross inside four minutes with Lachlan Coote converting for a 6-0 lead. Coote added a penalty for 8-0 before Leigh hit back through Matty Gee's effort which Ryan Brierley converted for 8-6. Jack Welsby crossed on 37 minutes to regain a two-score lead for Saints of 12-6 into the interval.

Welsby doubled his tally within seven minutes of the restart with Coote converting for 18-6 but Leigh cut the gap for a second time as Adam Sidlow touched down and Brierley kicked for 18-12. However, Saints soon took control with Sione Matau'tia crossing with Coote converting ahead of a self-converted try for a huge 30-12 lead. The points were wrapped up by two late scores for the hosts as Joe Batchelor and Lewis Dodd both went over with Coote reaching seven successes with the boot in the 42-12 victory.


Salford Stun Hull FC


Salford Red Devils bounced back from Thursday's loss to open Round 22 with a 42-14 victory over Hull FC at the AJ Bell Stadium. FC struck first with Ligi Sao crossing inside four minutes with Marc Sneyd converting for 6-0. Salford drew level with a Ken Sio try and Krisnan Inu conversion for 6-6 before going 8-6 behind after a Sneyd penalty goal. Another Sio score saw Inu convert for a 12-8 lead which lasted into the interval. 

FC regained the lead on 49 minutes with Danny Houghton crossing and Sneyd kicking for 14-12 but the lead changed hands again before the interval as Chris Atkin touched down with Inu converting for 18-14 before the hosts took full control with Harvey Livett and Joe Burgess crossing ahead of Sio sealing his hat-trick and crossing for a fourth score as Inu converted the lot for a huge 42-14 success.

Wakefield Win Over Rallying Rhinos


Wakefield Trinity extended their good form with a 20-13 win over Leeds Rhinos at the Mobile Rocket Stadium. Leeds opened the scoring with a Kruise Leeming try which Rhyse Martin converted for 6-0 but Wakefield hit back through Kelepi Tanginoa who crossed and Mason Lino converted for 6-6. The Rhinos opened up a 12-6 lead as Brad Dwyer crossed just before the interval with Martin converting.

Wakefield levelled at 12-12 with a Jordan Crowther effort which Lino improved before Jacob Miller edged Trinity ahead at 13-12 with a drop goal which saw Rob Lui bring Leeds level with a drop goal of his own for 13-13.Ryan Hanpshire restored the lead for Trinity with a drop goal for 14-13 before Joe Arundel wrapped up the win late on with a try which Lino converted for a 20-13 win. 


Wondrous Warriors Trounce Tigers


Wigan Warriors bounced back from their recent nilling to inflict a shut-out on Castleford Tigers with a 22-0 win at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle. A tight first half saw just a single score as Jackson Hastings crossed for the sole try of the half with Harry Smith converting for 6-0 into the interval.

The visitors extended the lead on the hour mark as Liam Marshall touched down with Smith kicking for 12-0 and they were three scores clear on 68 minutes after Oliver Gildart's effort made it 18-0. A huge win on the road was confirmed for the Warriors late on as Brad Singleton crossed with Hastings on kicking duties to convert for the 22-0 victory. 


Leigh Lose Out To Dominant Dragons 


Catalans Dragons edged closer to wrapping up top spot as they cruised to a 64-0 over Leigh Centurions in a battle between top and bottom of the table. The Dragons flew out of the blocks with Mike McMeeken crossing twice either side of a Fouad Yaha score inside the opening ten minutes with James Maloney converting the lot for 18-0. Maloney scored a self-converted try for 24-0 before Yaha and McMeeken both wrapped up their hat-tricks with Maloney converting twice for a huge 40-0 half-time advantage.

The second half began with a spell on the scoreboard for the Tomkins brothers with Joel going over ahead of a brace from Sam with a trio of conversions from Maloney seeing the hosts surpass the half century at 58-0. The gloss on a huge win came five minutes from the end as Tom Davies dived over and Maloney reached a haul of 24 points with his 10th conversion for 64-0. 


Giants Glory In Hindering Hull KR Hopes


Huddersfield Giants bounced back from Thursday's loss with a comfortable 40-28 win over Hull Kingston Rovers at the John Smith's Stadium. The Robins struck first through Mikey Lewis for 4-0 before Oliver Russell crossed to draw Hudds level at 4-4. Josh Jones touched down to give the hosts the lead with Will Pryce converting for 10-4. Kane Linnett cut the gap for KR to 10-8 before scores from Rickey Leutele and Sam Wood were improved by Pryce for a 22-8 lead that became 22-12 into the interval after a late try from Greg Minikin.

The Robins cut the gap further to 22-16 as Ryan Hall crossed within seven minutes of the restart before a self-converted try from Pryce was followed by a Joe Greenwood try (Pryce conv) for 34-16. KR hit back with a second score from Linnett which Rowan Milnes converted for 34-22 before Hudds confirmed the win with a try for Nathaniel Peteru with Pryce kicking for 40-22. The final say went to the visitors though as Matt Parcell touched down and Milnes converted for a 40-28 final score. 

Saints Streak Continues With Wolves Win


St Helens kept up their hopes of claiming top spot with a 24-14 victory over Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Saints opened up a 10-0 lead with scores from Kevin Naiqama and Lewis Dodd with Lachlan Coote converting the latter. Warrington staged a superb comeback with three scores in six minutes before half-time as Ben Currie and George Williams crossed and Stefan Ratchford converted twice before adding a penalty goal for 14-10 into the interval.

Saints mounted their own comeback in the second half as Mark Percival and James Bentley both touched down with Lachlan Coote converting both efforts for 22-14 and he rounded off the win with a penalty goal late on for 24-14.