2021 Super League Round Four Review

After some clubs regained home advantage in the previous round, Super League Round Four saw Wigan Warriors return home to the DW Stadium in my latest virtual attendance.

Warriors Topple Tigers

Thursday night saw Wigan Warriors extend their perfect start with a 22-12 win over Castleford Tigers. Cas opened the scoring with a Derrell Olpherts try which Paul McShane converted for 6-0. Wigan hit back with a self-converted effort from Zak Hardaker for 6 all before McShane restored the Tigers lead with a penalty for 8-6.

Wigan went into the interval ahead with Bevan French crossing and Hardaker converting for 12-8 but Cas hit back early in the second half with Olpherts scoring his second try to level at 12 all. French scored his second try for 16-12 before Sam Powell crossed late on with Hardaker converting for a third time to wrap up a 22-12 win. 

Saints Stay Top After Halting Hudds

St Helens extended their stay at the top with an 18-10 win over Huddersfield Giants. Saints struck first with Theo Fages crossing inside four minutes with Lachlan Coote converting for 6-0. A close first half saw just one more score with four minutes left before the interval with Mark Percival touching down and Coote kicking for 12-0.

Hudds cut the gap within five minutes of the restart with Chris McQueen touching down for 12-4 and after the hour mark, Saints moved to 18-4 ahead with a Jonny Lomax effort converted by Coote. Huddersfield had the last say on the score-line as Jermaine McGillvary crossed with Aidan Sezer kicking for an 18-10 final score. 

Rampant Robins Rout Rhinos

Friday night began with Hull Kingston Rovers securing consecutive wins as they eased to a 26-6 win over Leeds Rhinos at Hull College Craven Park. The Robins raced into a 16-0 lead inside 25 minutes with ex-Rhinos duo Ryan Hall and Matt Parcell crossing ahead of a try from Kane Linnett with Jordan Abdull converting twice. 

Leeds hit back with Brad Dwyer touching down and Ash Handley converting for 16-6 into the interval. Their hopes were ended at the hands of Linnett who crossed twice in the second half to complete his hat-trick and with Abdull converting just the latter for 26-6, Rovers celebrated back-to-back wins. 

Red Devils Crush Centurions

A battle of two winless sides saw Salford Red Devils claim their first win with a 34-8 victory over Leigh Centurions. Leigh opened the scoring on nine minutes as Matty Russell crossed for a 4-0 lead that was overturned on 21 minutes by a James Greenwood try and Krisnan Inu conversion as Salford led 6-4.

The Centurions hit back on the half hour mark with an Iain Thornley try putting them ahead into the interval at 8-6. Salford regained the lead on 50 minutes as Kevin Brown crossed (Inu conv) for 12-8 before a Ken Sio try after the hour saw Inu convert for a comfortable 18-18 advantage. The hosts wrapped up the win with three late scores as Brown crossed for a second time ahead of efforts from Chris Atkin and Harvey Livett, Inu converting twice to complete a first win of the season for Salford at 34-8.

Hull FC Edge Out Wakefield

Hull FC's good start to the season continued with a 20-14 win over Wakefield Trinity at the KCOM Stadium. FC struck first with Andre Savelio crossing and Marc Sneyd converting for 6-0 before Sneyd added a penalty goal for 8-0. Trinity cut the deficit to 8-6 into the interval as Lee Kershaw raced over after an interception and Mason Lino converted. 

Hull regained an eight point lead within five minutes of the restart with Adam Swift touching down and Sneyd converting for 14-6 but again Trinity fought back to 14-10 as James Batchelor crossed. Lino levelled with a try of his own on 67 minutes for 14-14 but any hopes of a first win were dashed by Carlos Tuimavave's try seven minutes from the end which Sneyd improved for a 20-14 final score. 

Dragons Defeated By Wolves

Saturday's action saw Catalans Dragons suffer a 24-8 defeat to Warrington Wolves at Stade Gilbert Brutus. The Dragons opened up an 8-0 lead with a penalty goal and self-converted try from James Maloney before being pegged back by scores from Ben Currie and Toby King with Stefan Ratchford converting twice for a 14-8 advantage into the interval. 

The second half proved to be a close one with Warrington wrapping up the win with tries from Jake Mamo and Gareth Widdop with Ratchford converting both for a 24-8 win. 

2021 Women's Challenge Cup Round One Review

The 2021 Women's Challenge Cup began on Sunday with the reduced structure seeing the two new additions to the WSL and the bottom two from 2019 face off before the remaining six sides enter at the quarter final stage. 

Wolves Win Halts Hudds Hopes

The opening tie at Victoria Park saw Warrington Wolves Women ease to a 38-12 win over Huddersfield Giants Women. The Wolves struck first with Bryony Coombs crossing inside ten minutes and Michelle Davis converting for a 6-0 lead that became 14-0 after two scores in three minutes from Amy Daniels and Georgia Sutherland. Wire were in control at the interval after Sutherland and Daniels crossed for a second time for a 22-0 lead. 

Hudds got off the mark with two scores early in the second half from Bethan Oates and Amelia Brown with Reagan Walker converting both for 22-12. The Wolves regained control with Dani Bound touching down with Davis converting before improving an effort from Sammy Simpson for 34-12. The win was wrapped up in the final two minutes as Coombs crossed for her second score of the afternoon for a 38-12 final score. 

York Late Show Stuns Wakefield

The second tie of the afternoon saw York City Knights Ladies edge a 16-10 win over Wakefield Trinity Ladies. Wakefield opened the scoring on six minutes with a self-converted score from Lisa Taylor for a 6-0 lead that quickly became 10-0 after Danie Green's try. York cut the gap just before the interval with Olivia Howarth crossing and Mel Halstead converting for 10-6.

The one score gap remained until deep into the second half when an Alex Stimpson brace in the space of four minutes saw Mel Halstead convert only the latter as York completed the comeback to advance with a 16-10 win. 

The draw for the Quarter Finals will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon. 

2021 Women's Super League Round One Review

After the 2020 season was cancelled just a week before the opening round was due to begin, the long wait for the Women's Super League action to return finally ended on Sunday with the 2021 season opening in style across four clashes. 

Wondrous Wilson Stars As Warriors Defeat Wolves

The round opened with newly promoted Warrington Wolves Women suffering an opening 52-8 defeat to Wigan Warriors Women at Victoria Park. Wigan raced into a 20-0 lead with crosses from Rachel Thompson, Vanessa Temple and a brace from Georgia Wilson who converted twice. 

Warrington ended the Wigan spree with Georgia Sutherland touching down for 20-4 but before the interval, Wilson claimed her hat-trick and went in once more for a 28-4 lead at the break. Wigan took under a minute of the restart to resume control, Vicky Molyneux racing in and Wilson converting for 34-4 before Wilson scored her fifth try of the afternoon to make it 38-4. Warrington again ended a Wigan spree this time with Amy Daniels crossing for 38-8 but second scores for Molyneux & Temple followed by a Rebecca Greenfield saw Wilson convert once to wrap up a superb opening victory which saw her score 28 points.

Super Saints Batter Bulls 

St Helens Women stormed to an 86-0 win over Bradford Bulls Women in the second game of the day at Victoria Park. Saints raced into a 22-0 lead inside the first quarter of the game thanks to scores from Carrie Roberts, Jodie Cunningham, ex-Bull Amy Hardcastle & Faye Gaskin with Gaskin converting all but the first score. The spree intensified with five more scores before the interval, Danielle Bush, Emily Rudge, Rach Woosey all crossing ahead of second scores for Hardcastle & Cunningham with Gaskin converting the lot for a huge 52-0 half-time lead.

The second half saw the spree continue with Roberts completing her hat-trick ether side of a second score for Rudge with Gaskin kicking two successes for 66-0 before Bush scored her second and Hardcastle her third for 74-0. A rare gap in scores saw the Bulls hold Saints out for 15 minutes before a Chantelle Crowl try (Gaskin conv) was followed by Cunningham's hat-trick try which Gaskin converted for an impressive haul of 26 points in the 86-0 rout. 

Rhinos Rout Knights

The second venue of the round was Weetwood Sports Park as Leeds Rhinos Women eased to a 68-16 win over York City Knights Ladies. The Rhinos struck first with Courtney Winfield-Hill crossing for 4-0 before Katie Langan levelled for York inside ten minutes. York took the lead with an Ellie Hendry try which Mel Halsted converted for 10-4 before four scores in seven minutes saw Leeds take a 24-10 lead into the break after Ellie Oldroyd, Chloe Kerrigan, Hanna Butcher & Adaoha Akwiwu all crossed with Winfield-Hill converting twice.

The second half began with Elle Frain resuming the Rhinos' spree with Akwiwu claiming her second score and Sophie Robinson crossing too with Winfield-Hill converting twice for a 40-10 lead. 

The points were sealed before the hour mark with Ella Johnson's score for 44-10 and the 50 point mark came with Tara Moxon crossing (Winfield-Hill conv) for 50-10. York ended the scoring spree for Leeds with Hendry's second score and Halsted converting for 56-16. Leeds had time for two more scores with Frain getting her second and Winfield-Hill claiming her second try and converting both for a 68-16 final score. 

Classy Cas Rout Rovers

The final game of the round also took place at Weetwood Sports Park with Castleford Tigers Women claiming a comfortable 40-6 win over Featherstone Rovers Ladies. A rapid start from the Tigers saw Kelsey Gentles cross twice inside ten minutes with Leah Jones converting twice for 12-0. Tamzin Renouf touched down before Gentles completed her hat-trick on the half hour with Jones converting for 22-0 into the interval. 

Hollie-Mae Dodd increased the Tigers' lead further with Jones converting for 28-0 within four minutes of the restart and she went in for a second try eight minutes later (Jones conv) for a 34-0 lead. Fev got off the mark through Brogan Churm's try which Jess Courtman converted for 34-6 but Cas had the last say on the score with Grace Field crossing and Jones converting to wrap up a 40-6 success.

2021 Super League Round Three Review

After a break for the Challenge Cup, Super League action resumed with Round Three and began on Thursday night at the Emerald Headingley Stadium.

Warriors Extend Winning Run Over Rhinos

Wigan Warriors' perfect start to the season continued with a 19-6 win over a depleted Leeds Rhinos on Thursday evening. The Warriors opened the scoring on 20 minutes with Liam Farrell going over for 4-0. A stunning second try saw Zak Hardaker collected his own kick to go over for an 8-0 lead which lasted into the interval. 

Leeds cut the gap to 8-6 within six minutes of the restart as Alex Mellor crossed and Rhyse Martin converted but Wigan soon resumed control with Jackson Hastings touching down for 12-6 before the hour mark and the points were wrapped up on 73 minutes by a second Farrell score which Hardaker converted for an 18-6 advantage. Hardaker added a late drop goal.to make it 19-6 as Wigan made it three wins from three matches. 

Terrific Tigers Crush Centurions 

Friday's action opened with Castleford Tigers easing to a 52-16 win over Leigh Centurions at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle. The Tigers raced into an 18-lead inside the first quarter with efforts from Liam Watts, Dan Smith & Derrell Olpherts with Gareth O'Brien converting twice and Paul McShane converting the latter. The lead advanced to 34-0 at the interval with Greg Eden, Niall Evalds & Michael Shenton all crossing with McShane adding two conversions. 

Jordan Turner (McShane conv) crossed to increase the lead after the break before Leigh got off the mark with a Jordan Thompson score but Cas resumed control with a second try from Olpherts and score from Jake Trueman with McShane converting both for a huge 52-4 advantage. Leigh had the last say on the score with two late tries from Ben Renyolds & Ryan Brierley with Renyolds converting both for a 52-16 final score. 

Super Saints Topple Trinity

St Helens continued their perfect start to the season with a comfortable 34-6 win over Wakefield Trinity at the Totally Wicked Stadium. The sides played out a tight first half with neither able to trouble the scoreboard at 0-0. 

Saints opened the scoring within two minutes of the restart, Kevin Naiqama crossing and Tommy Makinson converting for a 6-0 lead that soon became 12-0 as Makinson converted a James Bentley try on 47 minutes. The hosts took control either with scores either side of the hour mark from Jack Welsby & Regan Grace (Makinson convs) for 24-0 and the win was wrapped up with second scores from Naiqama & Grace with Lewis Dodd converting the latter for 34-0. Wakefield avoided a nilling late on with a try from Jay Pitts with Mason Lino converting for a 34-6 final score. 

Record Breaking Rovers Deny Giants

Hull Kingston Rovers created Super League history in their 25-24 win over Huddersfield Giants at Hull College Craven Park. The historic event came as Ben Crooks scored the quickest ever try by touching down after just SEVEN seconds with Jordan Abdull converting, KR had a perfect start at 6-0. Abdull added a penalty goal for 8-0 before Crooks crossed for his second and Mikey Lewis touched down, Abdull converted just the latter for an 18-0 lead. 

Hudds cut the gap before the interval with a Jermaine McGillvary try for 18-4 and staged a second half comeback by going into a 20-18 lead just after the hour mark thanks to scores from Darnell McIntosh, Jake Wardle & Chris McQueen with Aidan Sezer converting twice. The Robins fought back with Kane Linnett crossing with Abdull converting for 24-24 but Hudds hit back with a second score from McIntosh and the missed conversion meant the sides were level at 24 all. However, any hopes of Golden Point were ended by Abdull who's drop goal sealed the win for Rovers at 25-24.

Dragons Defeat Rueful Red Devils

Saturday afternoon saw Catalans Dragons ease to a 42-6 win over Salford Red Devils at the Stade Gilber Brutus. The Dragons raced into a 20-0 first half lead with tries from Ben Garcia, Samisoni Langi & Josh Drinkwater with James Maloney converting the lot including a penalty goal in between.

The spree extended into the second half with Fouad Yaha and Tom Davies crossing and Maloney converting both for 32-0 before Salford got off the mark with Harvey Livett touching down and ex-Dragons back Morgan Escare converting for 32-6. The hosts wrapped up a comfortable victory with Yaha crossing twice more late on for his hat-trick and Maloney converting just the former for 42-6.

Hull FC Held By Wolves

The round ended on Sunday with a first Super League draw since 2018 as Hull FC drew 14-14 with Warrington Wolves. The sides exchanged penalty goals with Marc Sneyd & Stefan Ratchford both converting for 2-2 and the low score remained into the interval.

The first try of the afternoon arrived on 57 minutes as Jake Connor crossed with Sneyd converting for 8-2 but Wire hit back with Chris Hill crossing and Ratchford converting for 8-8.FC went ahead with nine minutes remaining as Carlos Tuimavave touched down with Sneyd kicking for 14-8 but their joy was soured right at the end with Jake Mamo crossing on the hooter with Gareth Widdop converting for 14-14 and forcing Golden Point. Both periods of extra time saw the sides try their luck with drop goal attempts but to no avail as the sides were forced to share the points in a 14-14 draw. 

2021 Challenge Cup Round 3 Review

Super League took a break this past weekend as the Betfred Challenge Cup reached the third round stage with all 12 SL sides entering at this stage. The ties took place across Friday, Saturday and Sunday but would there be any surprise results, lets see...

Tigers Topple Rueful Rovers

The round opened with an epic 90 minute battle as Castleford Tigers staged an amazing comeback to defeat Hull Kingston Rovers 33-32 after four halves of Golden Point extra time.  The Robins struck first with Ethan Ryan crossing for 4-0 inside seven minutes before Cas replied through Jake Trueman with Danny Richardson converting for 6-4. Rovers re-took the lead and stormed to 22-6 before the interval with Adam Quinlan, Albert Vete & Matt Parcell all touching down accompanied by two conversions from Mikey Lewis and one from Jordan Abdull. 

Cas started the better in the second half with Derrell Olpherts and Paul McShane cutting the gap with tries which Richardson converted for 22-18 but the Robins soon halted the initial comeback with Shaun Kenny-Dowall touching down and Abdull converting for a ten point lead at 28-18 on the hour mark. Abdull pushed the lead to 32-18 with a try of his own but the Tigers fought back superbly with Olpherts and McShane claiming their braces and a Richardson conversion cutting the gap to 32-28 before Jordan Turner levelled the tie in the final seconds and with Richardson missing with the boot at 32 all, the match went to Golden Point. Both sides tried their luck with drop goal attempts but to no avail as the match went to a fourth period of extra time and with 90 minutes played, Gareth O'Brien harkened back to the famous MPG drop goal to sweep over a one-pointer to seal a 33-32 win. 

Wigan Win Over Courageous City Knights 

The second game of the evening was my virtual attendance for the week as Wigan Warriors secure a 26-0 win over Championship side York City Knights at the LNER Community Stadium. The hosts held the Warriors out in the first quarter before being breached by Zak Hardaker' try for 4-0. Harry Smith crossed to make it 8-0 before a first senior score for Sam Halsall (Hardaker conv) saw the Warriors hold a 14-0 lead into the interval. 

Umyla Hanley resumed the Warriors' scoring ten minutes after the restart with Hardaker converting for 20-0 before the tie and scoring were rounded off by Tony Clubb's score and Hardaker' third conversion at 26-0 as the Warriors advanced to the next round. 

Rampant Red Devils Rout Vikings 

Saturday's action began at the AJ Bell Stadium as Salford Red Devils romped to a 68-4 hammering over Championship side Widnes Vikings. After close opening stages, Salford opened the scoring with Morgan Escare crossing and Krisnan Inu converting for a 6-0 lead that soon became 18-0 after Inu improved a brace from Matty Costello. Tui Lolohea (Inu conv) extended the lead to 24-0 before Widnes halted the spree with a Danny Hill try just before the interval. 

Salford resumed control within four minutes of the restart with Declan Patton touching down and Inu kicking for 30-4 before Andy Ackers and Sebastine Ikahihifo crossed (Inu convs) to push the lead to 42-4 before the hour mark. Widnes were in danger of conceding 50 after a Kallum Watkins (Inu conv) made it 48-4 on 64 minutes and that fate came in a stunning five minute quartet late on with Jack Ormondroyd and Rhys Williams crossing ahead of a second Escare score and Chris Atkin try with Inu rounding off the tie with ten successes as the hosts eased to the 68-4 victory. 

Saints Stall Rallying Rhinos

A double header at the Totally Wicked Stadium saw a huge clash as St Helens claimed a 26-18 win over fierce rivals Leeds Rhinos.  Saints raced out of the blocks with a self-converted try from Tommy Makinson to lead 6-0 inside three minutes but Leeds soon responded though Mikolaj Oledzki with Rhyse Martin levelling at 6 all with the boot. Makinson restored Saints' lead with a penalty goal and they went into the interval leading 8-6.

Leeds suffered a double blow early in the second half with the dismissal of Zane Tetevano and Makinson extending the hosts' advantage to 10-6 with the resulting penalty goal. Regan Grace crossed either side of the hour mark and with Makinson converting the latter, the tie looked safe at 20-6. The depleted Rhinos rallied back though with two scores in two minutes from Brad Dwyer and with Martin converting both the tie became a close one at 20-18. Saints held on to advance though with Makinson claiming his second try of the afternoon late on and kicking for the 26-18 success. 

Dragons Delight In Toppling Trinity

The second part of the double header saw Catalans Dragons advance with a 26-6 victory over Wakefield Trinity. The Dragons opened the scoring through Sam Tomkins with James Maloney converting for a 6-0 lead that soon became 6 all with a self-converted score from Mason Lino. Catalans regained the lead with a Maloney penalty goal for an 8-6 lead into the interval. 

Wakefield's hopes were all but over by the hour mark after tries from Josh Drinkwater and Tom Davies saw Maloney convert both for a huge 20-6 advantage. The final score of the afternoon came on 66 minutes as Gil Dudson touched down and Maloney kicked a fifth success for 26-6.

Hull FC Hold Off Rallying Rovers

The second game of the afternoon saw Hull FC overcome Championship side Featherstone Rovers in a 34-14 win at the Millennium Stadium. Fev stunned FC by opening the scoring in the first minute through Josh Hardcastle for 4-0 but were soon 10-4 behind after Bureta Faraimo and Carlos Tuimavave crossed and Jake Connor converted once. FC took control with a Josh Griffin brace, second score from Tuimavave and Jordan Johnstone try with Connor converting the lot for a 34-4 half-time lead. 

Fev won the second half itself by keeping FC out and cutting the gap to 34-14 with efforts from Brett Ferres and Ben Blackmore with Dane Chisholm converting just the later for a 34-14 final score. 

Wolves Survive Swinton Scare

Another cross division tie saw Swinton Lions lose out to Warrington Wolves with a 32-8 loss at Heywood Road. The Wolves struck first with Toby King crossing for 4-0 inside six minutes before Luis Roberts replied for the Lions with Martyn Ridyard kicking them into a 6-4 lead. Ridyard extended the lead to 8-4 with a penalty goal but the Wolves fought back with efforts from Tom Lineham and Blake Austin sandwiching a second score from King with Stefan Ratchford converting twice for a 20-8 lead into the interval. 

The second half proved to be a close one with no scores until after the hour mark with ex-Lions player Matty Ashton crossing ahead of a first senior try from Danny Walker, Ratchford converted both to wrap up a 32-8 victory.

Hudds Halt Centurious Challenge

The round came to an end at Leigh Sports Village as Huddersfield Giants claimed a 36-18 win over Leigh Centurions. The Giants struck first through Kenny Edwards with Jake Wardle converting for 6-0 before improving an effort from Sam Wood and adding a penalty goal for 14-0. Jermaine McGillvary crossed to extend the lead to 18-0 before Leigh got off the mark with a Jordan Thompson try which Ben Renyolds converted for 18-6. Wardle kicked another penalty goal to give the Giants a 20-6 advantage into the interval.

McGillvary and Wood claimed their second scores of the afternoon before the hour with Leigh again fighting back with efforts from Nathan Peats and a second Thompson score with Renyolds improving both for 28-18. The Giants wrapped up the win with two late scores as McGillvary completed his hat-trick ahead of a Lee Gaskell try to complete a 36-18 win. 

The draw for the Quarter Finals is as follows...

Hull FC v Wigan Warriors

Castleford Tigers v Salford Red Devils

Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves

St Helens v Huddersfield Giants 

2021 Super League Round 2 Review

The first themed round of the season in Round 2 saw the Mose Masoe Round spanning Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Attendance was again a virtual one as the round took place at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Wonderful Warriors Trounce Trinity

Thursday's opener saw Wigan Warriors ease to a 34-6 win over Wakefield Trinity which began with Trinity opening the scoring through David Fifita on 20 minutes with Mason Lino converting for a 6-0 lead. Wigan battled back with Oliver Partington crossing and Zak Hardaker converting for a 6 all score into the interval.

Wigan went ahead with a Jake Bibby try (Hardaker conv) before a self-converted score from Hardaker opened up an 18-6 advantage. Bibby claimed his second score on the hour mark and a John Bateman try followed by a first evert hat-trick sealer from Bibby late on saw Hardaker convert all but the latter to extend the winning start to the season at 34-6. 

Super Saints Rout Rovers

The second game of the evening saw St Helens extend their perfect start with a thundering 25-0 win over Hull Kingston Rovers. Saints raced into a 10-0 lead inside eight minutes with Regan Grace and Jack Welsby crossing for tries with Tommy Makinson converting just the opener in a tight first half. 

The second half saw Saints edge further ahead before the hour mark with a Makinson penalty goal and Theo Fages drop goal for 13-0 but Rovers simply couldn't dent the gap and with Aaron Smith touching down ahead of a late second Grace score, Makinson converted both to end the game with four successes at 25-0. 

Wire Waltz To Crush Centurions

Good Friday opened with Warrington Wolves strolling to a 44-12 win over Leigh Centurions. Wire struck first with Tom Lineham crossing inside nine minutes with Stefan Ratchford converting for a 6-0 lead. Two tries in three minutes from Toby King and Jake Mamo saw Ratchford improve the first for 16-0 before he added to an effort from Gareth Widdop to open up a 22-0 lead into the interval.

Ben Currie continued the spree on 51 minutes (Ratchford conv) for 28-0 and Leigh finally got off the mark just before the hour mark with Adam Sidlow touching down and recently re-signed Ben Renyolds converting for 28-6. Warrington wrapped up the win with King, Lineham and Widdop all claiming second scores and Ratchford taking his successes to six as they led 44-6 but Leigh had the final say as Ryan Brierley crossed late on and Renyolds converted for 44-12 as they continued their wait for a first win.

Leeds Lose Out To Tigers

The day ended with a Yorkshire derby as Castleford Tigers claimed a hard-fought 18-10 win over Leeds Rhinos. 

The Tigers opened the scoring on 12 minutes with Oliver Holmes crossing for a try which Danny Richardson converted for 6-0 before he improved a Niall Evalds score on 24 minutes for 12-0. Leeds cut the gap to 12-4 with Luke Briscoe scoring for a second consecutive game and the eight point gap remained until the hour mark when Matt Prior went over for the Rhinos and Rhyse Martin converted for 12-10 but the Tigers made sure of the win with ten minutes left as Jordan Turner crossed with Richardson making it three successes with the boot for an 18-10 victory. 

Fabulous FC Stun Salford

Saturday afternoon opened with Hull FC easing to a 35-4 win over Salford Red Devils. After a scoreless first quarter of the match, FC opened the scoring with an Andre Savelio try which Marc Sneyd converted for 6-0 before he added a penalty goal for 8-0 on 27 minutes. 

A brace of tries either side of the interval for Josh Renyolds saw Sneyd convert both to open up a 20-0 lead which became 26-0 with Sneyd improving a Josh Griffin score. FC suffered a triple blow as both halves went off injured and Ken Sio got the Red Devils on the board at 26-4. FC powered on though with Jake Connor taking over the kicking duties to score a penalty goal and drop goal to push the advantage to 29-4 before Cameron Scott crossed late on and Connor converted to complete the 35-4 rout. 

Dragons Delight As Giants Grumble

The final game of the round saw Catalans Dragons continue their winning start to the season with a 20-10 win over winless Huddersfield Giants. 

The Dragons struck first through Matt Whitley with James Maloney converting but Hudds quickly levelled at 6 all with a Chris McQueen effort and Jake Wardle conversion. Catalans regained the lead with 12 men after Maloney was sent to the sin bin, Ben Garcia crossing for a second consecutive game and Sam Tomkins converting for 12-0. Maloney returned to add a penalty goal before he improved a Mike McMeeken try to open up a 20-6 lead into the interval. 

Hudds close the gap to 20-10 with the sole score of the second half on 58 minutes as Sam Wood crossed but their day would end miserably as Joe Greenwood was sent off late on as they went down to a 20-10 loss. 

Super League takes a break next week with the Betfred Challenge Cup taking centre stage with the Super League sides all included in the third round, another virtual attendance for me on Friday but one that's extra gutting as it would be a brand new venue and team if in a physical sense. The full schedule is as follows...

Friday 9 April 

Hull Kingston Rovers v Castleford Tigers (18.00)

York City Knights v Wigan Warriors (19.45)

Saturday 10 April

Salford Red Devils v Widnes Vikings (12.30)

St Helens v Leeds Rhinos (14.30)

Catalans Dragons v Wakefield Trinity (17.00)

Featherstone Rovers v Hull FC (19.00)

Sunday 11 April 

Swinton Lions v Warrington Wolves (12.30)

Leigh Centurions v Huddersfield Giants (14.30)