New Season, New Title

After last season's 'New Era' was a successful one overall, my final report of the year was a personal heartbreak as Wigan Warriors suffered another Grand Final loss but that's forgotten for now. Well until the Sky team replay it at the start of next week's season opener and of course the obvious blow-by blow replay when Wigan face Leeds in March. All being well, I will be in attendance for that so it'll be easier to skip on the TV re-view.

Last year saw my RL travels step up with the introduction of a video diary through my work at Serious About Rugby League which began with 'Away Days' which covered all UK based SL stadiums with Leigh Sports Village included in a Challenge Cup special. Later in the season was the short series of 'Super 8s Stories' which included return visits to some clubs and a special visit to Millwall before the conclusion in the 'Super League Grand Final Story' which was the final game in a massive year of 57 trips overall.

This year will surely see a decrease in travels as my financial situation is a lot worse than last season but I will be trying my best to do as much coverage as possible while trying to build my video and written profile across the RL spectrum. The mantra for 2015 was 'A New Era' but with the new structure working well in 2015, 2016 is to be labelled as 'This Is Our Time'.

The new season itself starts on Thursday night but my travels began a fortnight ago with a trip to a rainy and cold Leigh Sports Village as the Centurions hosted the Warriors in a game that saw a third defeat in a row for me at the stadium itself but was a good run out for a lot of the 19s who I saw flourish at Orrell across 2015.

The next game for the Warriors saw them visit the AJ Bell Stadium just a week ago but it was a viewing via Wigan TV for me as travel would have been too costly being a 'solo traveller' but part of me was glad of not attending given that the Warriors suffered a defeat which would have meant another stadium losing streak would have been extended.

After doing a year of Warriors focused coverage in 2014 and changing to a general coverage across Super League, Championship and the Super 8s in 2015, 2016 will begin with reports and video analysis across Super League to start with as opposed to bringing back previews. So roll on Feb 4th for the start of what could be a huge season of surprises!

Super League Grand Final Thoughts

After beginning the 2015 season on a cold Thursday night in Widnes, the most exciting season for a  long time came to an end on Saturday night at Old Trafford as Leeds and Wigan faced off in the Super League Grand Final.

The meeting was the first between the two sides at the 'Theatre of Dreams' since the 1996 Premiership final which the Warriors won and ahead of this weekend's event the Rhinos had yet to defeat their opponents in any final. Both sides named strong 17's with the Rhinos hoping to give a farewell to the departing trio of Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai. Wigan also had upcoming departures as Matt Bowen and Joe Burgess looked to complete superb final seasons while Larne Patrick hoped to end his loan spell on a high before a return to Huddersfield.

A full house at Old Trafford of 73,512 anticipated a classic final and they got just that as the sides shared a total of 42 points across the 80 minutes. Wigan began the scoring as a superb run from Liam Farrell allowed him to put Joe Burgess in the clear for the first try inside five minutes which Matt Bowen converted for a 6-0 lead. However, Leeds fought back within three minutes as Danny McGuire touched down but the decision was delayed due to a video review before being awarded and Kevin Sinfield levelled with the conversion at 6-6.

Leeds went ahead on 27 minutes as Joel Moon found space and crossed to open up a 10-6 lead which remained after Sinfield missed the conversion attempt but he was on target just before the interval as he converted a second try from McGuire on 37 minutes to send the Rhinos 16-6 in front at the break.

Wigan needed to score first in the second half to avoid a mountainous task and they took just seven minutes as Dom Manfredi rose superbly to collect a kick ahead of Ryan Hall and touch down for 16-10 with Bowen converting for 16-12. The Wigan fullback went in for a try himself just two minutes later and converted to put the Warriors narrowly ahead at 18-16 with a penalty goal on 62 minutes extending the advantage to four at 20-16.

The lead was a short one in time as well as points as went back in front after a try from Josh Walters who took advantage of a high kick to touch down for 20-20 with Sinfield converting successfully for 22-20 which despite a lot of pushing from Wigan to try and overturn the lead was how it ended. The result confirmed a treble of trophies for the Rhinos as they became the first to achieve such a feat  since St Helens in 2006 and in doing so ensured Wigan fell to back-to-back Grand Final defeats.

Super League Play Offs/Million Pound Game Thoughts

Ahead of the final game of the 2015 season, thoughts go back to last weekend's trio of games which saw four sides battle to reach the Super League Grand Final and two others face-off in a battle to claim the final place in the 2016 Super League.

Wonderful Warriors Win Guts Giants

Thursday night's action came from the DW Stadium as Wigan Warriors hosted Huddersfield Giants with the Warriors aiming to reach a third consecutive Grand Final while the Giants looked to reach the event for the first time.

Wigan started superbly as Ben Flower crossed for the opening try inside six minutes with Matt Bowen converting for a 6-0 lead which was extended just over ten minutes later by a penalty from the Warriors' fullback for 8-0. John Bateman endured the hosts would take a double figured lead into the interval as he crossed for a 36th minute try but the Giants got on the board in the final seconds via a Danny Brough penalty for 12-12.

Wigan's charge continued as Dom Manfredi crossed ahead of a second from Bateman with Bowen converting both for a huge 24-2 lead after only 55 minutes before Bowen added a penalty for 26-2 just after the hour mark. Brett Ferres gave the Giants some hope as he crossed on 67 minutes with Brough converting for 26-8 but it was to be just a consolation for the visitors as Tony Clubb sealed the win in the final seconds with Bowen's conversion completing a 32-8 triumph to send the Warriors to a fourth Grand Final in six seasons.

Rhinos Rise Stuns Saints 

Friday night's action came from the Headingley Carnegie Stadium as League Leaders Shield winners Leeds Rhinos hosted Super League champions St Helens with the hosts looking to move to just one win away from a unique treble while the Saints looked to continue their pursuit to retain their title.

St Helens struck first as James Roby shimmied through the defence to score the opening try inside six minutes with Luke Walsh converting for 6-0. Walsh extended the lead to eight points with a penalty on 17 minutes but the Rhinos found back superbly as Zak Hardaker crossed on 20 minutes with Kevin Sinfield converting for 8-6 before levelling the score with a penalty eight minutes later. 

Walsh ensured the Saints would lead into the interval as he swept over a last-gaps drop goal for 9-8 and his effort was added to just before the hour mark as Mark Percival crossed to extend the lead to 13-8 but a missed conversion attempt from Walsh left just a four point gap.

However, Leeds fought back with 11 minutes remaining as Ryan Hall touched down and with Sinfield converting, they went into a narrow 14-13 lead. St Helens rallied late on to regain the lead and claim the win but in their haste they lost the ball near their own line and Kallum Watkins collected and raced over for a try. Sinfield converted and at 20-13, the Rhinos secured a first Grand Final since 2012 and just 80 minutes away from completing a treble of trophies.

A superb meeting awaits at Old Trafford tomorrow between Wigan and Leeds in what is the first at the 'Theatre of Dreams' since the inaugural Premiership final back in 1998 which the Warriors won 10-4. The Rhinos in bidding to secure a treble of trophies will have to break their poor record against Wigan in finals having never won a single meeting.

Winning Wildcats Deny Battling Bulls

After a superb run in the Super 8s, Bradford Bulls made the trip to Wakefield Wildcats on Saturday to face-off in the Million Pound Game with the winner claiming the final place in next season's Super League.

The Wildcats struck first as Danny Kirmond crossed for the opening try on 16 minutes which Joe Arundel converted for 6-0 but the Bulls did superbly to keep the score to just that while going close to scoring themselves in a tight first half.

Anthony Mullally extended the lead just four minutes after the restart with Jordan Tansey converting for 12-0 but the Bulls got on the board just six minutes later as Danny Williams crossed and Danny Addy converted for 12-6 before a superb effort on 54 minutes saw Matty Blythe close the gap to 12-10.

Wakefield regained their six point advantage on the hour as Danny Washbrook and with Tansey converting, the Bulls were left needing to score twice to draw level and just five minutes later they boosted their task with an effort from Adrian Purtell with Addy's conversion making it 18-16.

Bradford were gifted a great chance to level when Addy chose to kick at goal from a penalty but his attempt narrowly missed the target and in the final seconds, Wakefield secured the win as Scott Moore raced over and Tansey converted for 24-16. So the Wildcats survive in the top flight after a woeful season overall but the Bulls proved despite defeat that promotion is not as far away as many believed when the new RL era was conceived.

Super 8s- Super League Final Round Review

After a roller-coaster season of 29 games, the final round of Super League action saw the battle for the League Leaders Shield go right down to the final minute on Friday night in a superb 80 minutes at the DW and John Smith's Stadium's.

Wonderful Wolves Stall Saints Shield Hopes

Thursday's round opener came from Langtree Park as St Helens hosted Warrington Wolves with Saints knowing anything but a win would see them relinquish their hold on the League Leaders Shield and force them to travel in the play-offs.

The hosts made a superb start as Joe Greenwood opened the scoring inside nine minutes with a clever conversion from Luke Walsh creating a 6-0 lead but the Wolves took just four minutes to reply with Jack Johnson crossing for a try and Chris Sandow converting to level at 6-6. Warrington took the lead on the half hour as Joel Monaghan claimed a try in his final game to make it 10-6 and extend a record of a try per game across his Wolves career with 145 in as many appearances. 

Chris Hill ensured that the Wolves led into the interval as he registered a 35th minute try for 14-6 and the Wolves charge continued into the second half as Ryan Atkins crossed within nine minutes of the restart with Sandow converting for 20-6. St Helens have been experts at coming from behind this season and they began such a task with two tries in four minutes from Adam Swift and Mark Flanagan with Walsh adding a conversion for 20-16. 

However, their hopes were dashed late on as Roy Asotasi and Kevin Penny posted tries with Sandow converting the latter and a fitting farewell for Monaghan saw him convert the latter to confirm a 32-16 victory. The result meant St Helens finished fourth and that top spot was now a three horse race.

Last Gasp Leeds Halt Huddersfield

Friday's televised action came from the John Smith's Stadium as Leeds Rhinos hosted Huddersfield Giants with both knowing a win could secure the League Leaders Shield whereas a defeat would result in an away trip in the play-offs.

The Rhinos struck first as Stevie Ward crossed for the opening try inside ten minutes with Kevin Sinfield converting for 6-0 but the Giants responded almost instantly as Jermaine McGillvary crossed with Danny Brough converting to level at 6-6. Leeds went into the interval with a slim lead after Sinfield added a penalty just two minutes before the break for 8-6.

However, Huddersfield were level within nine minutes of the restart as Brough levelled at 8-8 with a penalty before the Giants extended their lead to eight after the hour as Ellis registered a try which Brough converted before adding another penalty for 16-8.

The LLS looked to be heading towards Wigan with them leading against Castleford but Leeds staged an awesome comeback with Tom Briscoe (Sinfield conv) closing the gap to 16-14 before a Sinfield penalty in the 79th minute made it 16-16 and the icing came as Ryan Hall raced clear in the final seconds to secure a first League Leaders Shield for the Rhinos in six years at 20-16.

Wondrous Warriors Trounce Tigers

Friday's alternative viewing came from the DW Stadium as Wigan Warriors hosted Castleford Tigers with the Warriors knowing a win coupled with a draw or Hudds win in the other tie would see them claim the League Leaders Shield but a win alone would secure a home play-off tie. 

The hosts made a superb start as they raced into a 10-0 lead inside the first six minutes as Dom Manfredi and Matt Bowen crossed for tries with Bowen converting just his own score. Castleford took until the 27th minute to reply but with two scores in seven minutes, they went ahead at 12-10 as Luke Dorn and Junior Moors registered efforts which were both converted by Luke Gale for a narrow lead at the interval.

Wigan stormed back in front with three tries from Manfredi as the winger crossed in the 49th (Bowen conv) and 59th minutes to complete his hat-trick before scoring a fourth in the 62nd minute to open up a 24-12 lead. Matty Smith boosted the score with a drop goal just three minutes later before a stunning five minute streak from the Warriors was completed by a fifth try of the season from Oliver Gildart which Bowen converted for 31-12.

George Williams proved just why he was short-listed for Young Player of the Year with a superb try six minutes from the end before scores from the departing duo of Joe Burgess and Larne Patrick in the final four minutes were coupled with two conversions from Bowen to complete a huge 47-12 victory which was dampened by the news they would finish second on points difference after Leeds' last-gasp win. 

Dragons Delight As FC Fall

The round and the campaign as a whole culminated on Sunday afternoon at the KC Stadium as Hull FC hosted Catalans Dragons with the the visitors looking to defy their woeful away form with a final success.

The Dragons started the pursuit of a rare away win with early success as Jordan Sigismeau crossed for the opening try inside four minutes for a 4-0 lead which became 14-0 after two tries in four minutes before the half hour from Ian Henderson and Krisnan Inu. Scott Dureau converted just the former before adding another conversion on the half hour mark after Elliot Whitehead's try for 20-0.

Hull fought back with two tries in the final seven minutes of the half as Tom Lineham scored a farewell try and Jordan Abdull crossed for 20-8 into the interval. The hosts continued to cut the gap as Curtis Naughton and a second try from Lineham made it a close game at 20-16. Thomas Bosc (Dureau conv) crossed to push the Dragons lead to ten at 26-16 before Dureau added a penalty with seven minutes remaining for 28-16.

Hull came so close to ruining the Dragons' joy as Lineham sealed a stunning farewell before heading to Warrington as he completed his hat-trick on 74 minutes before scoring a fourth in the final minute for 28-24 but FC will curse their luck after scoring six tries but not converting a single one as the Dragons celebrated the chance for an enjoyable trip back to France.

Super 8s- The Qualifiers Final Round Review

As three sides had secured their place in next season's Super League, the only issue to be settled was who would finish in fourth and fifth and thereby face-off in the Million Pound Game next weekend.

Bulls Battered By Fantastic Fax

The round opened on Saturday at Odsal as MPG hopefuls Bradford Bulls hosted Halifax with the Bulls looking to leapfrog Wakefield into fourth while Halifax looked to secure a lucrative pay day for finishing sixth.

The Bulls made the better start as Matt Ryan opened the scoring inside four minutes with Ryan Shaw converting for 6-0 but the visitors replied superbly with two tries in as many minutes from Tom Saxton and Steve Tyrer with Tyrer converting both for a 12-6 lead. A brace of self-converted tries from Shaw saw the Bulls regain the lead at 18-12 but the visitors went into the interval just two points behind after Dane Manning crossed for 18-16.

Halifax went ahead just seven minutes after the restart as Saxton claimed his second try which Tyrer converted for 22-18 before Tyrer also claimed his second try for 28-16 and the part-timers began to really click as they ran in three further tries in eight minutes. A brace from Ben Johnston coupled with an effort from Adam Tangata saw Tyrer convert twice for a huge 42-18 lead. Bradford's shockingly poor second half performance saw them go further behind as Ben Heaton (Tyrer conv) struck before Tyrer compled his hat-trick late on with a self-converted try to complete a stunning 52-18 triumph.

Valiant Vikings Crush Centurions

Sunday's trio of games saw two cross-league ties with the first coming from the Select Security Stadium as Widnes Vikings hosted Leigh Centurions with the visitors hoping to avoid finishing bottom of the 8s table.

Their hopes received an early boost as Ben Renyolds opened the scoring inside five minutes with Ryan Brierley converting for 6-0 but to their despair it was to be their first and last score of the game as Widnes ran riot.

Patrick Ah Van and Kevin Brown crossed in a six minute period with Danny Tickle converting the latter for a 10-6 advantage before Charly Runciman and Paddy Flynn (Tickle conv) extended the lead to 20-6 into the interval. The Vikings charge continued as Alex Gerrard and Rhys Hanbury brought up the 30 point mark before the hour with Tickle converting both tries for 32-6.

Joe Mellor continued the hosts' charge on 65 minutes with Tickle converting for 38-6 before a second try from Ah Van and a late effort from Jack Owens were both converted by Owens to complete a 50-6 stroll for the Vikings. 

Excellent Eagles Stun Wasteful Wildcats

After Bradford's defeat the previous day, Wakefield Wildcats knew they would host the Bulls in the MPG but first had to travel to face Sheffield Eagles at Bramall Lane with the Eagles keen to avoid bottom spot in the table.

The Eagles struck first as Scott Turner crossed for the opening try on 19 minutes for 4-0 before Cory Aston increased the leas six minutes later with an effort which Pat Walker converted for 10-0. Wakefield hit back through Danny Kirmond for 10-4 before Menzie Yere (Dom Brambani conv) improved to lead to 16-4 with the Wildcats going into the interval just one score down after Ben Kavanagh scored and Joe Arundel converted for 16-10 into the break.

Pat Walker converted the first points of the second half in the 67th minute with a penalty before the win was sealed for the part-timers as Quentin Laulu-Togagae registered an effort which Walker converted for a 24-10 final score.

Rampant Robins Devastate Red Devils

The final game of Sunday's trio saw Hull Kingston Rovers host Salford Red Devils at the KC Lightstream Stadium with the Robins looking to complete a perfect record of seven wins in the 8s while the Red Devils looked to secure third spot. 

The visitors struck first as Greg Johnson opened the scoring inside four minutes for a 4-0 lead but they were soon pegged back as the departing Robins centre Kris Welham struck on 13 minutes to level at 4-4. The Robins went ahead after a try from George Lawler which Josh Mantellato converted for 10-4 before Salford drew level after a try from Harrison Hansen which Ben Jones-Bishop converted for 10-10.

Tries from Lama Tasi and a first senior effort from Ryan Lannon were both converted by Jones-Bishop as Salford opened up a 22-10 lead at the interval but it was the break that seemed to curse the Red Devils. The Robins staged a superb comeback with four tries in 14 minutes as Mantellato crossed ahead of efforts from Ken Sio, Dane Chisholm and Tyrone McCarthy with Mantellato converting all four for a 34-22 lead. 

The amazing turnaround continued as the Robins completed a streak of 36 unanswered points in the last ten minutes as Ben Cockayne and Maurice Blair registered tries with Mantellato converting the first and Welham signing off as a Robin with the final conversion for 46-22.

Young Warriors Retain Academy Title

After victories over Warrington Wolves and Hull FC in the play-off semis, Wigan Warriors and St Helens faced off at the DW Stadium in the 2015 Academy Grand Final.

Both sides went into the game fielding strong squads despite a number of injuries and first team call-ups and the young players all played their part in a fascinating 80 minutes ahead of the headline event of Wigan v Castleford in the Super 8s.

Wigan started superbly with Kyle Shelford scoring inside five minutes with Nick Gregson converting for a 6-0 lead. Saints replied on 21 minutes as Ben Morris crossed for a try and Danny Richardson levelled the score at 6-6 with the conversion. Wigan regained the lead with seven minutes left of the half as Paddy Jones touched down leaving Gregson with an easy conversion for a 12-6 lead into the interval.

Macauley Davies extended the Warriors' lead within six minutes of the restart but Gregson was unable to convert at 16-6, Gabriel Fell raced over to push the Warriors to 20 points with Gregson converting for a comfortable 22-6 lead. Saints remained in the hunt as the game entered the final ten minutes and cut the lead through Dave Eccleston on 73 minutes but a missed conversion attempt from Richardson left them two scores behind at 22-10.

The final hooter saw the jubilant Warriors celebrate their third title in a row and a seventh in eight years and despite being on the losing side, St Helens performed superbly proving why they and Wigan's Academy setup is so highly regarded across the league and that the future looks very bright for both clubs.

Young Warriors Seal Grand Final Date With Saints

After a superb victory away to Leeds to seal a six point advantage at the top of the table, Wigan entered the play-off semi final at home to Warrington in huge confidence with St Helens awaiting in the Grand Final.

Wigan were without their primary kicker Jake Shorrocks due to injury while Oliver Gildart's exploits in the first team meant Jack Higginson continued in the number three shirt at centre while Warrington also had players missing due to first team call-ups.  The Wolves made the better start of the two sides as Richard Harris crossed for the opening try in the 13th minute with Harvey Livett converting for 6-0.

However, Wigan were back on level terms just seven minutes later as Paddy Jones scored with Nick Gregson converting for 6-6 before Gabriel Fell put the hosts in front on the half hour mark with Gregson converting for 12-6 before missing with the boot three minutes later after Liam Paisley's try at 16-6. The Warriors went into the interval sitting even more comfortably as Liam Marshall crossed for a try which Gregson improved for 20-6 at the break.

The hosts surge continued early in the second half as Josh Ganson crossed within two minutes of the restart with Gregson converting for 26-6 before he missed with the boot after Liam Marshall's second try on 52 minutes at 30-6. Luke Waterworth (Gregson conv) pushed the lead to 36-6 on the hour mark before Ben Sewifield got the Wolves to double figures with Livett converting for 36-12 but it was a minor blip on the Warriors charge as Paisley and Ganson claimed their second tries with Gregson adding a single conversion for 46-12.

The result already confirmed, Warrington had the last say on the final score as Jack Fox crossed on 75 minutes for 46-16 but with the final whistle coming five minutes later, Wigan celebrated reaching yet another Grand Final as their stunning streak extended and the retention of their title was just one win away in a first ever appearance at the DW Stadium.