Saturday, 24 December 2022

2022 Challenge Cup Final/ Super League Round 14 (Catch-Up)

A huge delay in keeping up with the reports on 2022 mean that in order to be ready for 2023, the split will be Men's SL, Women's SL Group 1 and Women's SL Group 2 and the Women's Nines Finals day too. The catch-up opens though with the Challenge Cup final.


Giants Gutted By Warriors Cup Comeback

Wigan Warriors s
ecured an historic 20th Challenge Cup triumph with a narrow 16-14 victory over Huddersfield Giants at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Giants made a perfect start as Tui Lolohea converted a penalty in the second minute for a 2-0 lead. The advantage became 6-0 on 16 minutes with Ricky Leutele crossing for the opening try to make the score 6-0. Wigan got off the mark on 25 minutes with a try and conversion from Harry Smith who levelled for 6-6. Hudds led into the interval thanks to a try from Chris McQueen who crossed for 10-6.

Wigan took just minutes of the second half to complete the turnaround with Jai Field touching down for a try which Smith improved for a 12-10 lead which saw Hudds hit back just before the hour mark with a Jermaine McGillvary score for 14-12. The trophy was sealed in style as Liam Marshall collected a superb kick from Smith to cross in the corner just metres away from a raucous Warriors end who minutes later celebrated the 16-14 triumph.


Giants Bounce-back Against Dragons 

Huddersfield Giants shrugged off their Challenge Cup woes with a 22-14 win over Catalans Dragons at Stade Gilbert Brutus. The Giants struck early with Ricky Leutele crossing for 4-0 inside four minutes before Will Pryce added a penalty for 6-0 in the 12th minute. The advantage was 18-2 into the interval with Adam O'Brien and Chris McQueen both crossing for tries which Pryce improved before Sam Tomkins added a penalty in the final minute of the half.

Catalans cut the gap further as Arthur Mourgue crossed for a try within three minutes of the restart which Tomkins improved before adding to an effort from Mathieu Laguerre to make a single score deficit at 18-14. Huddersfield held off any Dragons hopes of levelling though as McQueen crossed for his second score in the final minute to complete the 22-14 win.

Rhinos Rout Woeful Wolves 

Leeds Rhinos avenged the season opening defeat to Warrington Wolves with a comfortable 40-4 victory at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The Rhinos struck first as David Fusitu'a crossed for a 4-0 lead that was cancelled out by a Matty Ashton try for 4-4. Leeds regained the lead with a Kruise Leeming effort which Rhyse Martin converted before adding to a try from Zak Hardaker a few minutes later for 16-4and the Rhinos held the lead into the interval thanks to a further score from James Donaldson for 20-4. 

Martin extended the lead to 22-4 with a 45th minute penalty goal and the visitors continued to control the score with Ash Handley and Bodene Thompson both touching down after the hour mark for a 30-4 lead before Fusitu'a and Handley both crossed for a second time with Martin converting the latter for a 40-4 final score.


Warriors Comeback Clips Cas Claws

Wigan Warriors stunned Castleford Tigers in a 32-12 win at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle which was shown on Channel 4. The Tigers opened up a 12-0 inside the half-hour mark as Greg Eden and Kenny Edwards crossed and Gareth O'Brien converted the latter. Wigan cut the gap as Liam Marshall crossed out on the wing for 12-4 into the interval.

Wigan's comeback continued within four minutes of the restart with Bevan French touching down and Harry Smith converting for 12-6 before Abbas Miski went over with Smith levelling at 12-12 with the boot. Marshall claimed his second score of the day for 20-12 before Jake Bibby touched down and Smith kicked for 26-12. The stunning turnaround was completed late on as Liam Farrell went in and Smith converted for a 32-12 final score. 

Saints Seal Toulouse Toppler

St Helens continued their good form with a 28-14 win over Toulouse Olympique at Stade Ernest Wallon. Toulouse opened the scoring with a Chris Hankinson penalty goal for 2-0 inside seven minutes but an instant response saw Saints lead 4-2 after a Morgan Knowles try. The visitors extended their lead to 8-2 with a Tommy Makinson try before a Konrad Hurrell score and Makinson conversion made it 14-2 into the interval. 

Toulouse cut the deficit to 14-8 within four minutes of the restart as Harrison Hansen touched down and Hankinson converted but a rapid brace after the hour mark from Jack Welsby and Regan Grace (Makinson convs) pushed the lead to 26-8. The hosts replied with a self converted score from Hankinson for 26-14 but the sealer for Saints came late on as Makinson kicked for a 28-14 success.



Robins Rout Red Devils

Hull Kingston Rovers romped to a huge 43-16 demolition of Salford Red Devils at Sewell Group Craven Park. The hosts race into an 18-0 lead inside the first quarter as Lachlan Coote crossed for a two minute brace and converted both before he improved Ryan Hall's effort. Salford avoided a first-half blank thanks to a Kallum Watkins try which Marc Sneyd converted for 18-6 but the final say on the half went to Coote who swept over a drop goal for 19-6 into the interval. 

The Robins' charge continued in the second half as Hall claimed his second try which Coote converted before improving scores from Ethan Ryan and Ben Crooks for a 37-6 advantage. Salford stemmed the spree with a try from Deon Cross (Sneyd conv) to make it 37-12 but the 30+ lead returned just two minutes later with a second Crooks try (Coote conv). The final say belonged to the visitors as Joe Burgess crossed for 43-16 in the 78th minute. 

Trinity Late Show Halts Hull FC Hopes

The round ended with the closest game of the week as Wakefield Trinity edged a 19-18 win over Hull FC at the Be Well Support Stadium. FC opened up a 12-0 lead with scores from Adam Swift and Darnell McIntosh which Luke Gale converted before he added a penalty goal for 14-0 on 33 minutes. Trinity cut the gap with a Matty Ashurst try which Mason Lino improved for 14-6 but they would go into the interval 18-6 behind after Swift's second try in the final minute of the half.

The score remained at 18-6 until the 67th minute when Corey Hall touched down and Lino converted for 18-12. The sides were level with three minutes remaining as Lee Gaskell (Lino conv) crossed and the contest looked to be heading for extra time but Jacob Miller had other ideas as he sealed the 19-18 win for Trinity with a last-gasp drop goal. 

Thursday, 15 September 2022

2022 Women's Super League Groups 1/2 Round Two (Catch-up)

The huge catch-up continues with a focus on the Women's Super League with Round Two from Groups One and Two. 


Rhinos Rout Giants 

Leeds Rhinos Women opened their season with a huge 60-4 victory over Huddersfield Giants Women. A rapid start from the Rhinos saw them race into a 10-0 lead inside eight minutes as Keara Bennett and Zoe Hornby crossed for tries and Courtney Winfield-Hill converted the latter. Hudds cut the gap with an Amelia Brown try for 10-4 after 16 minutes but it was the only joy the Giants had as Caitlin Beevers, Winfield-Hill and Sam Hulme all touched down to push the lead to 22-4. Leeds ensured a comfortable 26-4 lead into the interval with a Fran Goldthorp try.

Goldthorp claimed her second score within four minutes of the restart and Winfield-Hill converted before completing her own brace on 52 minutes for 36-4. The rout was wrapped up by four further scores in the space of 15 minutes with Elychia Watson and Georgia Roche crossing ahead of a hat-trick try for Goldthorp and second for Hulme, Winfield-Hill converted the lot to confirm the 60-4 success.

Saints Stunned By Knights


York City Knights Ladies extended their winning start in a 13-6 win over champions St Helens Women. Saints opened the scoring with 12 minutes played, Leah Burke crossing for a try which Zoe Harris converted for 6-0 before Grace Field touched down for the Knights and Tara-Jane Stanley levelled with the boot for 6-6. 

The sides remained locked at 6-6 into the interval and the hosts regained the lead on 54 minutes with a self-converted try from Stanley who made it 12-6, Saints' hopes of avoiding a first loss since 2020 were ended late on by Stanley's drop goal to seal the 13-6 victory. 


Bulls Battle Past Miners Rangers

Bradford Bulls Women sealed a narrow 12-8 win over Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies. The visitors struck first with Robyn Bell-Soppelsa crossing on 26 minutes for 4-0 before Katie Whelan's try brought the Bulls level at 4-4 on the half hour mark and the score remained into the interval.

Bradford completed the turnaround with 50 minutes played as Lily Williams went over for 8-4 but they were rapidly pegged back by a second score from Bell-Soppelsa for 8-8. The lead changed hands for third and final time late on with joy for the hosts, Alice Fisher sealing a 12-8 win with a 74th minute try. 

Wolves Trounce Trinity 

Warrington Wolves Women continued their winning start with an 86-0 hammering of Wakefield Trinity Ladies. The Wolves raced into a 22-0 lead inside 15 minutes with a Georgia Sutherland brace and tries from Sam Simpson, Amy Daniels and Michelle Davis who converted her own try. Sutherland completed a 21 minute hat-trick which Davis converted for 28-0 before she improved efforts from Claire Mullaney, Charlotte Foley, Ellie Jelves and a second try from Simpson for the 50 point mark at 52-0. The hosts held a huge 56-0 lead into the interval after Sutherland claimed her fourth try in the 38th minute.

Simpson complete her hat-trick within four minutes of the restart for 60-0 ahead of scores from Abi Johnston, Charlize Magraw and Amy Johnson with Davis and Foley converting for 78-0. The rout was completed by two scored in the final eight minutes with Sutherland reaching five scores and Davis her brace for an 86-0 victory.  



Rovers Topple Tigresses

Featherstone Rovers Ladies made it consecutive wins with a comfortable 56-6 success over Castleford Tigers Women. The hosts struck first with an Amie Backhouse try which Jess Matthews converted for 6-0. Cas' response was almost instant as Maisie Lumb touched down with the effort converted for 6-6. Fev regained the lead as Nat Carr crossed for a brace either side of a second score from Backhouse, Fran Copley converting twice to open up a 22-6 lead which remained into the interval.

The Tigers managed a half hour period across the two halves with the score at 22-6 but three scores in nine minutes around the hour saw Zoe Teece, Olivia Grace and Hannah Watt cross and Lucy Richardson convert once for 36-6. Fev wrapped up the win with a Shanelle Mannion score ahead of a Copley brace and second score for Grace with Copley converting twice more to complete the 56-6 win.


















Sunday, 14 August 2022

2022 Super League Round 13 (Catch-Up)

The huge catch-up continues with Round 13 which ironically proved lucky for some due to a few close results. 

Saints Overcome Wolves

St Helens extended their good form with a narrow 12-10 win over Warrington Wolves at the Totally Wicked Stadium. The Wolves opened the scoring with a Gareth Widdop try for a 4-0 lead inside 13 minutes. Saints hit back through Alex Walmsley's try on 21 minutes which saw Tommy Makinson convert for 6-4 before crossing for a try of his own and converting for a 12-4 lead into the interval.

The second half proved to be a closer contest with just a single score as George Williams crossed to cut the gap with Stefan Ratchford converting for 12-10 but the tight score proved to much for Warrington to close as St Helens held on for the 12-10 victory. 

Giants Glory Against Toulouse 

Huddersfield Giants left it late to secure a 17-16 win over Toulouse Olympique at the John Smith's Stadium. The visitors struck first as Oliver Ashall-Bott crossed inside seven minutes with Chris Hankinson converting for 6-0. Hudds responded with a Sam Hewitt try which Tui Lolohea converted to level at 6-6 but the lead returned to Tou within two minutes as Romain Navarette (Hankinson conv) touched down for 12-6 and the lead lasted into the interval. 

Toulouse extended the lead to 16-6 within five minutes of the restart before Hudds mounted a comeback with a brace from Innes Senior and conversion from Lolohea with the latter attempt meaning the sides were level at 16-16. The turnaround was complete three minutes from the end as Jack Cogger swept over a drop goal to seal the 17-16 win. 



Rhinos Rally Topples Trinity

Wakefield Trinity's suffered a dip as they lost out 24-6 to Leeds Rhinos at Headingley Stadium. The Rhinos opened the scoring with a James Bentley try which Rhyse Martin converted for 6-0 inside 11 minutes. Bentley struck again on 28 minutes with Martin kicking for a 12-0 lead that was soon cut to 12-6 by a Jai Whitbread score and Mason Lino conversion leaving a a one score gap into the interval. 

Martin extended the lead to 14-6 with a penalty goal on 55 minutes before improving a Blake Austin try after the hour mark to make it 20-6. The victory was wrapped up in the final minute with a David Fusitu'a try for a 24-6 final score. 

Devils Delight Against Tigers

Salford Red Devils kept up their good home form with a comfortable 30-14 win over Castleford Tigers at the AJ Bell Stadium. The Tigers struck first with a Ryan Hampshire try for 4-0 before Salford hit back with a Tim Lafai score and Marc Sneyd conversion to lead 6-4. Ex-Devils back Gareth O'Brien levelled the score at 6-6 with a penalty goal but a Joe Burgess brace and Sneyd conversion opened up a 16-6 lead into the interval. 

Castleford cut the gap to 16-10 with a try from Jason Qareqare before Sneyd kicked a penalty goal for 18-10 and improved a Deon Cross try on the hour to make it 24-10. Qareqare crossed for his second try to cut the deficit to 24-14 but in vain
 as Burgess completed his hat-trick and ex-Tigers half Sneyd converted to wrap up the 30-14 win. 



Dragons Defeat Robins

Catalans Dragons boosted their away form with a 20-8 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers at Sewell Group Craven Park. The Robins made a superb start with Ben Crooks touching down and Lachlan Coote converting before Coote added a penalty goal for an 8-0 lead inside ten minutes. Tom Davies cut the gap to 8-4 and that lasted into the interval.

The Dragons fightback continued after the restart with Mathieu Laguerre and Fouad Yaha both crossing for tries which Arthur Mourgue converted to give them a 16-8 lead. Catalans completed the superb turnaround with a penalty brace from Mourgue for the 20-8 win. 


Hull FC Halt Warriors 

The round ended at the MKM Stadium where I was in attendance as Hull FC claimed a 31-22 success over Wigan Warriors. A perfect start for the hosts saw Adam Swift cross inside two minutes for a 4-0 lead which quickly became 12-0 as Darnell McIntosh touched down ahead of a second score from Swift all inside 15 minutes. Wigan replied with an effort from John Bateman that Harry Smith converted for 12-6 but Hull regained the two score lead with Josh Renyolds crossing and Luke Gale converting for 18-6. The gap into the interval was a single score as Liam Marshall went in on the wing with Smith kicking for 18-12. 

The Warriors levelled at 18-18 with a superb try from Bevan French (Smith conv) but the equality lasted just three minutes with Carlos Tuimavave touching down with Gale kicking for a 24-18 advantage, Gale swept over a drop goal for 25-18 and though Wigan replied with Liam Farrell's try, no conversion meant a 25-22 gap that ended at 31-22 as Chris Satae (Gale conv) crossed late on. 

Sunday, 31 July 2022

2022 Women's Super League Groups 1/2 Round One (Catch-up)

The blog catchup resumes with the opening round of this seasons Women's Super League which sees a 5/7 split to form Groups One and Two due to the Castleford Tigers Women's dropping down.

Group One

Derby Delight For Saints 

St Helens Women began the defence of the BWSL title with a comfortable 44-0 victory over Wigan Warriors Women at the Totally Wicked Stadium. A rapid start from the hosts saw Leah Burke crossing on the wing and Zoe Harris converting for a 6-0 lead inside four minutes. Channy Crowl, Amy Hardcastle and Paige Travis all touched down before the half-hour mark with Harris adding two conversions for a 22-0 advantage and the hosts went into the interval leading 28-0 after Harris improved a second try of the afternoon from Hardcastle.

Wigan showed improvement in the second half as despite not scoring, they held Saints out until the final 15 minutes when a rapid treble saw Shona Hoyle and Eboni Partington both cross with Harris converting the former before a self-converted try to wrap up the 44-0 victory. 

Hudds Humbled By York

Huddersfield Giants Women suffered an opening loss with a 50-6 to York City Knights Ladies at Laund Hill Sports Complex. The visitors raced into a 12-0 lead with tries from Emma Kershaw and Olivia Wood which Tara Jane Stanley converted. Hudds got off the mark with a self-converted try from Frankie Townend to make it 12-6 but would go into the interval 16-6 behind after Kershaw claimed her second try. 

A rapid brace from Hollie Dodd within four minutes of the restart saw York take control with Stanley converting the latter for a 26-6 lead. Tries from Georgia Taylor, Grace Field and Betty Lambert saw Stanley add two conversions to open up a huge 44-6 lead with Olivia Whitehead wrapping up the 50-6 with a self-converted score in the final minute. 


Group Two

Wolves Win Against Battling Barrow

Warrington Wolves Women opened the season with a 32-6 win over Barrow Raiders Ladies at Craven Park. The Wolves struck first with a Georgia Sutherland try inside three minutes before Michelle Davis crossed to double the lead to 8-0. Barrow hit back with a Sam Norman try which Jodie Litherland converted for 8-6 before a Fern Davies try and Davis conversion sent the Wolves into the interval leading 14-6.

Sutherland claimed her second try with Davis kicking for a 20-6 lead on 50 minutes with Charlize Magraw crossing and another try by an unnamed scorer seeing Davis kick to wrap up the 32-6 victory. 

Trinity Toppled By Miners

Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies sealed instant success in the BWSL with a 28-14 win over Wakefield Trinity Ladies at Twist Lane. Sadly the game updates didn't have any Leigh scorers other than they took a 12-0 lead before being pegged back by tries from Leonie Lawson and Abby Price and a Megan Preston conversion for 12-10 with the lead into the interval becoming 16-10.

The hosts took control by opening up a 24-10 lead with Saskia Lewis cutting the gap to 24-14 with a try before Leigh rounded off the win late on for a 28-14 final score. 


Rovers Rout Bulls

The final game of the weekend saw a dominant 30-0 win for Featherstone Rovers Ladies over Bradford Bulls Women at Odsal Stadium. 

A perfect start for Rovers as Zoe Teece crossed inside four minutes with Jess Matthews converting for 6-0. Fev extended the lead to a huge 20-0 into the interval after tries from Olivia Grace, Charley Blackburn (Matthews conv) and Chloe Billington.

The rout was completed by two tries after the hour mark as Ellie Lamb touched down ahead of a second score from Billington which Lucy Richardson converted for the 30-0 final score. 

Friday, 15 July 2022

2022 Super League Round 12 (Catch-Up)

 The delayed catch-up process continues as the Super League reached Round 12.


Senior Treble Stuns Warriors

Huddersfield Giants continued their good form with a 33-22 win over Wigan Warriors at the John Smith's Stadium. A rapid start from the hosts saw Lewis Senior and Ricky Leutele both cross for tries that Oliver Russell converted to open up a 12-0 lead. Wigan replied with a score from Sam Halsall which Harry Smith converted for a 12-6 gap into the interval. 

Senior crossed for his second try of the evening within four minutes of the restart and Russell converted for 18-6 before Jake Wardle went over to make it 22-6. A Wigan comeback saw Halsall score his second try ahead of a debut score from Matty Nicholson and Smith conversion for 22-16. Hudds opened up the two score gap with a Sam Hewitt effort for 16-16 before Nicholson struck for a second time and Smith kicked for 26-22. The hosts wrapped up the win with Senior's hat-trick try in the final minute with Russell adding a fourth success with the boot to confirm the 32-22 victory.

Saints Hold Off Hull FC

St Helens stayed on top after a 24-10 victory over Hull FC at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Saints struck first through Tommy Makinson who crossed for 4-4 inside seven minutes before Darnell McIntosh levelled for Hull with a try on the half-hour mark for 4-4. The hosts did lead into the interval though as Jack Welsby crossed in the final minute of the half with Makinson converting for 10-4 at the break.

Makinson added a penalty goal to extend the lead to 12-4 in the 53rd minute and the contest swayed further towards Saints as Jonny Lomax crossed for a try which Makinson improved for 18-4. The final says on the score-line were braces as Makinson claimed his and converted for 24-4 before McIntosh sealed his and Jake Connor kicked for a 24-10 final score. 


Dragons Demolish Weakened Wolves

Catalan Dragons kept up the battle for top spot with a huge 40-8 demolition of Warrington Wolves at Stade Gilbert Brutus. The hosts struck first with Sam Tomkins sweeping over a penalty goal for a 2-0 lead which was cancelled out by a Connor Wrench try which Peter Mata'utia converted for 6-2. Catalans levelled the score with a Tom Davies try for 6-6 which is how the score remained into the interval. 

The sides exchanged penalty goals through Tomkins and Mata'utia for 8-8 before the Dragons regained the lead with huge impact as Mitchell Pearce and Julian Bousquet both crossed with Tomkins converting both and adding a penalty goal for a 22-8 lead. The final four minutes saw three scores as a comfortable win became a demolition, Gil Dudson, Fouad Yaha and Artur Mourgue all touching down with Tomkins improving the first and Mourgue converting twice for a huge 40-8 win.  

Toulouse Topple Trinity

Toulouse Olympique returned to winning ways with a narrow 20-14 win over Wakefield Trinity at Stade Ernest Wallon. Toulouse opened the scoring with a Chris Hankinson penalty goal for 2-0 before a Lewis Murphy try gave Trinity a 4-2 advantage. The lead swung again twice more as Oli Ashall-Bott put the host 6-4 ahead before Liam Kay touched down and Mason Lino converted for 10-6 into the interval.

The hosts regained the lead within four minutes as Matty Russell touched down and Hankinson converted for 12-10 but Trinity hit back with a Corey Hall try for 14-12. Hankinson levelled the contest at 14-14 with a penalty and the win was sealed with seven minutes left as Ashall-Bott claimed his second try and Hankinson converted for a 20-14 final score. 


Red Devils Rally Past Rhinos

Salford Red Devils boosted their form with a comfortable 23-8 win over Leeds Rhinos at the AJ Bell Stadium. The hosts struck first with a rapid brace from Ken Sio and Joe Burgess which saw Marc Sneyd convert for 10-0. Leeds cut the gap with a try from Ash Handley for 10-4 before Andy Ackers (Sneyd conv) crossed to sent the hosts into the interval leading 16-4.

Sneyd added a drop goal for 17-4 on 67 minutes before a Ryan Brierley try which Sneyd converted wrapped up the win at 23-4. Leeds did have the final say though with a late try from Mikolaj Oledzki for a 23-8.


Classy Cas Crush Robins

The round came to an end at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle as Castleford Tigers eased to a 32-0 win over Hull Kingston Rovers. The Tigers took just five minutes to get off the mark as George Griffin crossed and Gareth O'Brien converted for 6-0. Three scores in five minutes from Kenny Edwards, Jake Mamo & Jason Qareqare saw O'Brien convert twice and add a penalty goal for a 24-0 lead into the interval. 

The second half saw Mamo and Qareqare both complete braces in the 48th and 68th minutes to wrap up a dominant 32-0 victory. 

Monday, 20 June 2022

2022 Women's Challenge Cup Final/Men's Semi Finals (Catch-up)

A break from the Super League action at both levels in early May saw a triple header at Elland Road which I attended. 

Saints Cup Comeback Denies Rhinos

St Helens Women retained the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup as they came from behind to secure an 18-8 win over Leeds Rhinos Women. 

The Rhinos struck first with a well worked try from Zoe Hornby which Courtney Winfield-Hill converted for a 6-0 lead. Saints hit back with a Leah Burke try before Winfield-Hill ensured the Rhinos would take a lead into the interval with a penalty goal for 8-4 in the final minute.

The hour mark proved pivotal as after Winfield-Hill missed a penalty goal, Saints used the miss as inspiration to go down the other end and draw level with Eboni Partington's try for 8-8. Saints went ahead for the first time as Jodie Cunningham touched down and Beth Stott converted for 14-8. The win and the continued hold of the trophy was confirmed in the final seconds as Partington crossed for her second try for an 18-8 final score. 


Derby Delight For Warriors Against Saints

Wigan Warriors sealed a spot in the Challenge Cup Final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a narrow 20-18 win over fierce rivals St Helens. Wigan made the perfect start as Liam Marshall crossed for a try inside three minutes to create a 4-0 lead. The lead became 8-0 with a Cade Cust try before Liam Farrell touched down and Harry Smith converted for a comfortable 14-0 advantage into the interval.,

Saints took just seven minutes of the second half to respond as Konrad Hurrell crossed and Tommy Makinson converted for 14-6 before an instant second score as Jonny Lomax went in and Makinson converted to cut the gap to 14-12. The turnaround was completed on 57 minutes with James Roby crossing and Makinson kicked for an 18-14 Saints lead. Wigan fought back superbly with a try to live long in the memory as Marshall raced down the field in the 71st minute to claim his second of the game and level the score at 18-18. Smith swept a superb conversion through the sticks for 20-18 and the Warriors held on to seal a famous win and a trip to Spurs later that month. 

Hudds Hammer Rueful Robins

Huddersfield Giants reached the final for the first time in a decade as they cruised to a 25-4 win over Hull Kingston Rovers. The Giants raced into an 12-0 lead with tries from Josh Jones and Innes Senior both crossing inside 18 minutes with Oliver Russell converting twice and the lead remained into the interval. 

Jermaine McGillvary extended the lead within two minutes of the restart before Russell converted a penalty goal to make it 18-0 on 46 minutes. The win was confirmed by the hour as Owen Trout (Russell conv) touched down before Theo Fages swept over a drop goal for 25-0. The Robins avoided a nilling in having the final say as Shaun Kenny-Dowall went over late on for a 25-4 final score. 

Sunday, 19 June 2022

2022 Women's Nines Group Stage (Catch-Up)

A huge delay in writing this feature which was my first as a volunteer for Wigan in covering the Women's Nines Group Stage so the main focus is on their group which was C and I chose to watch D later in the day. 


Saints Advance While Wolves Face Wait


St Helens Women reached Finals day in topping Group A with comfortable wins over Barrow Raiders Ladies (29-0) and Bristol Golden Ferns (40-0) after being held 17 all by Warrington Wolves Women. 

The Wolves also went unbeaten with a 14-4 win over Barrow Raiders Ladies and 29-0 victory over Bristol Golden Ferns, They should claim the sixth finals spot but will have to wait for the Wildcard announcement. 

The other game in the group saw Barrow Raiders Ladies end with a 24-4 win over Bristol Golden Ferns.




Rhinos Ease Through While Broncos Seal Second


Leeds Rhinos Women completed a clean sweep in Group B as they strolled to a 35-0 win over Featherstone Rovers Ladies ahead of a tough 18-4 success over London Broncos Women and 32-0 victory over Warrington Wolves Lunas. 

The Broncos finished second with two wins, the first being a 27-14 win over Warrington Wolves Lunas. and a surprise 15-8 success against Featherstone Rovers Ladies

The other game in the group saw Featherstone Rovers Ladies storm to a huge 51-0 hammering of the Warrington Wolves Lunas. 


Warriors Denied As 
Déesses Delight


Déesses Catalanes advanced to the finals with a perfect record as they opened with a 35-0 win over Hull FC Women and ended with a similarly dominant 35-5 victory against Wakefield Trinity Ladies.

The key game in the group saw them edge a 18-10 win over Wigan Warriors Women with Mailys Borak crossing twice, Leila Bessahli and Margot Canal scoring for the French side while Georgia Wilson and Kaitlin Hilton went in for Wigan. 

Wigan claimed two strong wins, a 33-0 win over Wakefield Trinity Women that saw Wilson score a hat-trick and Rachel House, Mary Coleman and Gabi Leigh all cross for tries and a 30-0 success against Hull FC Women with House, Anna Davies, Rebecca Greenfield, Ellie Costello, Hilton and Wilson all touching down. The other game in the group saw Wakefield Trinity Ladies secure a 25-10 win over Hull FC Women. 



Giants Glory As Devils Seal Second

Group D was my afternoon focus which saw top spot decided in the final game as Huddersfield Giants Women edged fellow unbeaten side Salford Red Devils Women in a 24-14 win with Amelia Brown, Jess Courtman, Angel Howey, Bella Sykes and Izzy Northrop all scoring tries for the Giants. 

The Giants had opened with a 34-6 win over Castleford Tigers Women with Erin Stott's hat-trick, Brown's brace and tries from Pippa Curley and Lois Naidole before a 25-11 victory over Oulton Raidettes thanks to a Hannah Goddard brace and scores from Bethan Oates, Brown and Curley. 

Salford Red Devils Women  secured two wins with a 31-21 opening success against Oulton Raidettes before setting up the vital final game after a 26-4 win over Castleford Tigers Women. 
The other game in the group saw Castleford Tigers Women's miserable season continue in a 12-4 loss to Oulton Raidettes. 


City Knights Cruise While Cardiff Celebrate Second


York City Knights Ladies stormed into the finals without conceding a single point as they eased to 26-0 wins over both Cardiff Demons Ladies and Bradford Bulls Women before rounding off with a narrow 9-0 success against Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies. 

Cardiff Demons Ladies secured second spot in the group with a 19-4 win over Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies before easing past Bradford Bulls Women with a 24-4 success.

The final game of the group saw a last-gasp 12-8 win for Bradford Bulls Women over Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies. 



Sunday, 12 June 2022

2022 Super League Round 11 (Catch-Up)

A huge delay in catching up due to a busy schedule and also some writing for Wigan themselves see a resuming from Round 11. 

Giants Glory In Trinity Topple


Huddersfield Giants kept up their good form with a narrow 14-12 win over Wakefield Trinity at the Be Well Support Stadium. Wakefield opened the scoring with a self-converted try from Mason Lino for 6-0 before Chris McQueen crossed for the visitors to make it 6-4. The hosts regained a strong lead with Lewis Murphy crossing late in the half and Lino converting for 12-4 into the interval.

Huddersfield cut the gap again within five minutes of the restart as Luke Yates crossed for a try which Oliver Russell converted for 12-10. The comeback was completed just after the hour mark as Ricky Leutele went over for a 14-12 lead for the Giants who held on for the win.

Catalans Cruise As Tigers Tumble 

Catalans Dragons eased to a 44-12 win over Castleford Tigers at Stade Gilbert Brutus. A rapid start from the Dragons saw Julian Bousquet, Mitchell Pearce and Tyrone May all cross for tries to open up a 16-0 lead. The Tigers cut the gap to 16-6 with a self-converted score from Gareth O'Brien but the Dragons replied again with Mathieu Laguerre touching down and Arthur Mourgue converting for 22-6 into the interval. 

Mourgue crossed for a try of his own within four minutes of the restart and converted for 28-6 before he improved a Matt Whitley try and second from Laguerre to make it six successes with the boot and a huge 40-6 advantage at the hour mark. Cas ended the Catalans spree with a Jason Qareqare try which O'Brien improved for 40-12 but the hosts had the final say with Laguerre completing his hat-trick for a 44-12 final score. 



Rhinos Rally Past Robins

Leeds Rhinos boosted their mixed form with a 12-0 win over Hull Kingston Rovers at Headingley. The Rhinos raced out of the blocks with Matt Prior crossing inside three minutes and Rhyse Martin converting for 6-0. The single score lead remained into the interval. 

Leeds extended the lead further with Morgan Gannon touching down for 10-0 within eight minutes of the restart and the win was wrapped up on the hour mark as Martin swept over a penalty goal for a 12-0 victory. 

Saints Hold Off Red Devils


St Helens stay top after coming from behind to seal a 14-10 win over Salford Red Devils at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Salford opened the scoring with a try from Morgan Escaré which Chris Atkin converted for a 6-0 lead before Ben Davies crossed for the hosts to cut the deficit to 6-4. St Helens soon competed the turnaround though with a Jack Welsby try and Tommy Makinson conversion sending them into the interval leading 10-6.

Makinson extended the lead with a penalty goal for 12-6 before ex-Saint Matt Costello crossed for Salford to make it 12-10. St Helens wrapped up the win late on as Makinson added his second penalty goal of the evening for a 14-10 final score. 



Warriors Win Against Wolves


Wigan Warriors kept up the pressure at the top with a comfortable 40-22 win over Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. A rapid start from Wigan saw Iain Thornley touch down inside three minutes with Harry Smith converting for 6-0. Warrington replied with a self-converted try from Riley Dean for 6-6 before Thornley crossed for a second time and Smith converted for 12-6. The sides exchanged scores again with Jai Field (Smith conv) crossing ahead of Matty Ashton who cut the gap to 18-10. Wigan would lead 24-10 into the interval after Liam Farrell went over in the 39th minute with Smith converting.

A three minute brace from Liam Marshall early in the second half saw Smith convert the latter for a huge 34-10 advantage. Ethan Havard looked to have wrapped up the win with a try on the hour with Smith converting for a sixth time to make it 40-10. Warrington ended on a high though with two late scores from Danny Walker and Peter Matautia converted by Matatutia and Josh Thewlis for a 40-22 final score. 

Fabulous FC Trounce Toulouse

The round came to an end at the MKM Stadium as Hull FC eased to a 48-12 victory over Toulouse Olympique XIII. The visitors struck first as Junior Vaivai crossed inside nine minutes with Amthony Marion converting for 6-0. FC hit back with a Darnell McIntosh try before Connor Wynne crossed and Jake Connor converted to give FC a 10-6 lead. The hosts took control with a Joe Lovodua (Connor conv) effort for 16-6 and second scores of the game for McIntosh and Wynne with Connor converting the former for a 26-6 advantage at the interval.

Toulouse cut the gap with a self-converted try from Marion to make it 26-12 but it was a small blip for FC who resumed control with Denvine Balmforth crossing ahead of hat-trick tries for McIntosh and Wynne and two conversions from Connor for 42-12. The final say went to Kane who crossed for the hosts with Connor ending on six successes for a 48-12 final score.

Sunday, 22 May 2022

2022 Women's Challenge Cup Semi Finals (Catch-up)

Another delayed post as the catch-up continues with the Women's Challenge Cup Semi Finals which were held at Warrington Wolves' Halliwell Jones Stadium.


Rhinos Comeback To Deny City Knights 

The first semi final saw Leeds Rhinos Women come from behind to seal a 28-26 win over York City Knights Ladies. A perfect start for York saw Tara-Jane Stanley cross for a try in the opening minute which she converted for a 6-0 lead. Leeds replied with Chloe Kerrigan touching down for a brace either side of an effort from Grace Field (Stanley conv) as York led 12-8. The Rhinos went ahead for the first time with two scores in four minutes as Alexandra Barnes and Hanna Butcher crossed with Courtney Winfield-Hill converting twice for 20-12 and this remained into the interval. 

York cut the gap with a Sinead Peach try and Stanley conversion for 20-18 before Stanley levelled at 20-20 with a penalty goal. The equality lasted just two minutes as Tasha Gaines crossed for Leeds with Winfield-Hill converting for a 26-20 advantage. York hit back to level again with Jasmine Bell touching down and Stanley converting for 26-26. The win was sealed for the Rhinos as Winfield-Hill converted a penalty goal for 28-26 to send them into the final. 

Super Saints Rout Rovers

St Helens Women moved a step closer to retaining the trophy with a comfortable 82-0 victory over Featherstone Rovers Ladies. A rapid start from the Saints saw Paige Travis cross inside six minutes for 4-0 before a brace from Carrie Roberts and Amy Hardcastle try were coupled by two Zoe Harris conversions for a 20-0 advantage. Rebecca Rotherham and Leah Burke crossed to increase the lead further before Travis reached her brace and Roberts claimed her hat-trick try, Harris converted only the final two for 40-0 into the interval. 

The scoring spree resumed within two minutes of the restart with Eboni Partington crossing for 44-0 before Roberts scored her fourth ahead of a Vicky Whitfield effort for 52-0. Rotherham and Hardcastle completed their braces either side of the hour mark with a Beth Stott conversion moving the lead to a huge 62-0. The win was rounded off by a Tara Jones score, hat-trick try for Hardcastle and a rapid late brace from Rachel Woosey with Stott converting twice for the 82-0 final score. 

Wednesday, 18 May 2022

2022 Super League Round Ten (Catch-Up)

After the hectic Easter double, many clubs rotated their line-ups for Round Ten which saw home advantage pay off. 


Resilient Rhinos Topple Toulouse


Leeds Rhinos boosted their mixed form with a 25-14 win over Toulouse Olympique at Headingley. The visitors struck first with Paul Marcon crossing for a try which Tony Gigot converted for 6-0. Leeds hit back with two scores from James Donaldson and Brad Dwyer which saw Rhyse Martin convert twice for a 12-6 lead into the interval. 

Leeds continued their scoring spree with Tom Briscoe crossing for 16-6 before Martin added a penalty goal and Kruise Leeming swept over a drop goal for 18-6 at the hour mark. Toulouse cut the gap with a Matty Russell try for 19-10 but a second score from Dwyer (Martin conv) confirmed the win with a 25-10 lead that was cut by a late Junior Vaivai try for a 25-14 final score. 

Cas Crush Saints 


Castleford Tigers staged a shock as they claimed a 30-10 victory over St Helens at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle. A perfect start for the Tigers saw Jason Qareqare cross for a try to make it 4-0. Cas extended the lead further with tries from Derrell Olpherts and Jake Trueman with Paul McShane converting the latter for 14-0 into the interval. 

Olpherts claimed his second score of the evening to move the lead to 18-0 before Saints mounted a comeback with Jumah Sambou and James Bell crossing either side of the hour mark with Shay Martyn adding a conversion for 18-10. The hosts wrapped up the win with tries from Joe Westerman and Mahe Fonua which saw McShane convert both for the 30-10 final score. 


Robins Rise As Trinity Tumble

Hull Kingston Rovers eased to a 32-10 win over Wakefield Trinity at  Sewell Group Craven Park. The Robins struck first with Kane Linnett crossing and Lachlan Coote converting for 6-0. A self-converted effort from Coote doubled the lead to 12-before the Robins went into the interval with a 16-0 lead after a try from Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

The Robins opened up a 24-0 advantage by the 55th minute after a brace from Ethan Ryan before Jacob Miller replied with a try which Mason Lino converted for 24-6. KR wrapped up the win with a score from Ryan Hall but Lewis Murphy soon crossed to cut the gap for Trinity to 28-10. The final say went to the hosts as Linnett crossed for his second score of the game for a 32-10 final score. 


Wolves Win Halts Hudds Hopes 

Warrington Wolves improved their recent form with a comfortable 32-10 win over Huddersfield Giants at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The Wolves raced into a 12-0 lead courtesy of a Josh Thewlis brace and Riley Dean conversion. Toby King extended the lead with a try on the half hour with Dean kicking for 16-0 before Innes Senior crossed for the Giants to make it 16-4 into the interval. 

Warrington resumed control with a Connor Wrench effort which Dean converted for 22-4 before Thewlis completed his hat-trick with Dean converting for a huge 28-4 lead. Ben Currie crossed to wrap up the win with Luke Yates crossing late for Hudds and Oli Russell converting for a 32-10 final score. 


Warriors Defeat Rallying Red Devils 

Wigan Warriors kept up the pressure at the top with a last-gasp 30-24 victory over Salford Red Devils at the DW Stadium. Wigan opened the scoring with Jai Field crossing inside five minutes and Harry Smith converting for a 6-0 lead which was cancelled out by King Vuniyayawa's try and Ryan Brierley's conversion for 6-6. Salford completed the turnaround with a Matt Costello effort which Brierley improved for 12-6 and it spurred the Warriors into a response as Kaide Ellis, Liam Farrell and Smith all crossed for tries with Smith converting the lot for a 24-12 lead into the interval. 

Salford staged a second comeback after the restart with Alex Gerrard and Ken Sio both touching down which saw Brierley convert twice to level at 24-24. The sides looked set for Golden Point Extra Time but Field had other ideas as he broke the line and raced over for his second score in the final minute with Smith converting for a fifth time to seal a the 30-24 success. 


Hull FC Halt Catalans Charge

The round came to an end with Hull FC edging a 14-6 win over Catalans Dragons at the MKM Stadium. The hosts struck first with Jordan Lane touching down and Jake Connor converting for 6-0 before Fouad Yaha crossed for the Dragons to cut the gap to 6-4. FC regained a full score lead as Chris Satae went over for a try which Connor improved before adding a penalty goal for 14-4 into the interval. 

The second half proved to be a closer contest with just a single score which came in the 68th minute with Mitchell Pearce crossing for 14-8 and the hosts managed to hold off any further score to secure the 14-6 win.