2019 Super League Round Seven Review

Round seven began with Warrington Wolves just about holding on to secure a 34-32 in at Wakefield Trinity on Thursday night. A rapid start from the Wolves saw Toby King, Josh Charnley and Chris Hill cross with Stefan Ratchford converting the lot for an 18-0 lead inside 12 minutes. Trinity replied through Ryan Hampshire with Danny Brough kicking for 18-6 before a Blake Austin try and Ratchford conversion on the half hour made it 24-6. Ratchford was successful with the boot again either side of the interval with penalty goals making it 28-6.

Wakefield ended the Wolves spree with David Fifita's try (Brough conv) for 28-12 before a second Charnley score (Ratchford conv) put the Wire 34-12 up. Trinity staged a huge fightback with a two minute Kyle Wood brace followed by two late scores from Max Jowitt and Joe Arundel, two conversions from four attempts for Brough would prove costly as the final miss denied them the  chance to force Golden Point and ensured a narrow Warrington victory.

Friday's televised action saw St Helens maintain their 100% record with a comfortable 42-12 win at Castleford Tigers. An early self-converted try and penalty goal from Lachlan Coote got Saints up and running before Regan Grace and Dom Peyroux went over for scores which saw Coote convert the latter for 18-0, a lead that lasted into the interval. Zeb Taia resumed the scoring three minutes after the restart with Coote converting for 24-0 ahead of two scores in five minutes from Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Mark Percival for 32-0.

The Tigers finally got on the board on the hour through Michael Shenton's try which Jordan Rankin converted for 32-6. Saints resumed their control with a second Peyroux score and Jonny Lomax try (Coote conv) for 42-6 but the final say went to the hosts as Jake Trueman crossed in the final minute with Rankin kicking for 42-12.

Huddersfield Giants moved off the bottom of the table with a 42-8 rout of Hull Kingston Rovers. The sides exchanged penalty goals early on with Ryan Shaw and Lee Gaskell kicking for 2-2. Kruise Leeming put the Giants ahead on 14 minutes with Gaskell's conv making it 8-2 ahead of tries from Oliver Roberts and Darnell McIntosh with Gaskell kicking for a 20-2 advantage.

A second Leeming effort just after the interval was followed by Jermaine McGillvary's four minute brace and with Gaskell converting twice, the Giants led 36-2. Rovers ended the Giants spree with a Weller Hauraki try which Shaw converted for 36-8 but the final say went to the Giants as Suaia Matagi touched won five minutes from the end with Gaskell his seventh successful conversion of the evening.

After slipping to the bottom after Huddersfield's win, Leeds Rhinos remain there after a narrow 26-22 loss at Catalans Dragons on Saturday.

The Rhinos raced into a 12-0 lead with an Ash Handley brace which saw Liam Sutcliffe converting twice before Fouad Yaha cut the gap for the Dragons with Sam Tomkins converting for 12-6. Konrad Hurrell crossed for the Rhinos before a second Yaha try and Lucas Albert score saw Tomkins convert the latter to draw the Dragons level at 16 all.

Handley and Yaha completed hat-tricks before the hour with the Dragons going 22-20 after Tomkins' conversion but a penalty goal eight minutes later from Sutcliffe saw the Rhinos level at 22 all. The Dragons sealed the win with just eight minutes left as Yaha completed a quadruple of tries at 26-22.

In attendance on Sunday at the AJ Bell Stadium as Wigan Warriors ended their losing run with a 30-22 win over Salford Red Devils.

The hosts led 6-0 after Josh Jones' fourth minute try and Ed Chamberlain's penalty goal inside ten minutes. Wigan fought back superbly with George Williams, Tommy Leuluai and Joe Greenwood all crossing in the space of eight minutes coupled with Zak Hardaker converting the trio for 18-6. Salford rallied deep in the half, Derrell Olpherts and Niall Evalds easing through the Warriors line with Chamberlain converting the latter for 18-16 into the interval.

Salford regained the lead within two minutes of the restart, Adam Walker crossing for a debut try to make it 22-18. The Warriors turned the game around either side of the hour as Williams twice raced clear to complete his hat-trick and with Hardaker kicking for a 10-point haul, Wigan sealed their first away win in 2019.

The round closed with Hull FC edging a 28-24 win at London Broncos. FC struck inside four minutes through Josh Griffin for 4-0 before Elliot Kear crossed for London with Kieran Dixon kicking for a 6-4 lead. A second Griffin score saw Marc Sneyd convert to put FC 12-6 ahead but again London hit back with Eloi Pelissier crossing and Dixon converting before adding a penalty goal late in the half for 14-10.

A rapid response from FC saw Carlos Tuimavave and Jordan Thompson cross within eight minutes of the restart with Sneyd converting just the first effort for a 20-14 lead. Albert Kelly and Bureta Faraimo extended the lead either side of the hour mark to 28-14 before London staged a fightback similar to their recent win at Leeds. Jordan Abdull and Rhys Williams touched down with Dixon converting just once as the Broncos closed the final gap to four at 28-24.

2019 Super League Round Six Review

Round six began with St Helens maintaining their perfect start with a 40-12 win at Huddersfield Giants on Thursday night.

Saints opened the scoring through Luke Thompson inside four minutes with Lachlan Coote converting for 6-0 before Hudds levelled on 15 minutes with Jermaine McGillvary's try which Lee Gaskell converted. Saints went ahead again as Morgan Knowles (Coote conv) went over but an instant reply from the hosts saw Ex-Saint Jordan Turner touch down, Gaskell kicking for 12 all. The sides looked to be heading into the interval level but Saints had other ideas with a late score from Mark Percival (Coote conv) for 18-12 into half-time.

Percival struck again before Regan Grace and Dom Peyroux both crossed after the hour mark with Coote adding two conversions and a penalty goal for 34-12. The rout was complete on 75 minutes as Jonny Lomax scored with Coote kicking a sixth conversion of the evening for 40-12.

In attendance on Friday night as Wigan Warriors' miserable start continued with a 25-12 loss at Warrington Wolves. Jake Mamo crossed inside seven minutes for 4-0 before a self-converted try and penalty goal from Stefan Ratchford gave the Wolves a 12-0 lead at the interval. Ex-Warrior Josh Charnley extended the lead within six minutes of the restart with Ratchford converting for 18-0.  Wigan hit back with two scores in three minutes from Tom Davies and Willie Isa with Zak Hardaker converting both for 18-12. Dec Patton restored a two score lead four minutes later with a drop goal for 19-12 before a second try from an ex-Warrior late on saw Jack Hughes cross and Ratchford kick for 25-12.

Leeds Rhinos poor start to the season continued as they fell to an 18-16 defeat to London Broncos. London opened the scoring through Jay Pitts with Kieran Dixon converting before adding a penalty goal for 8-0. The lead lasted into the interval before Leeds his back with two tries in 15 minutes after the restart from Richie Myler and Trent Merrin with Tui Lolohea converting for 12-8. Tom Briscoe extended the Rhinos' lead to 16-8 on the hour before a superb fightback in the final five minutes saw Matt Fozard and Will Lovell scoring with Dixon kicking the latter to complete the comeback and secure the win.

Friday's third game saw Wakefield Trinity securing a 32-12 win at Hull FC. After a scoreless opening quarter, Wakefield struck through Ryan Hampshire with Danny Brough converting for 6-0 before adding a penalty goal and converting an effort from Bill Tupou in the space of six minutes for 14-0. FC hit back with two scores in the final four minutes of the half from Danny Houghton and Bureta Faraimo, Marc Sneyd converting both for 14-12 into the interval. Wakefield resumed their scoring in the second half with a second try from Tupou ahead  of two Brough penalties either side of a Pauli Pauli try for 26-12. The final say on the score came on 76 minutes with Reece Lyne touching down and Brough converting.

Sunday afternoon saw a tight affair at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle as Castleford Tigers edged a 24-20 over Salford Red Devils. Cas flew out of the blocks with Nathan Massey and Jordan Rankin crossing inside the opening quarter with Rankin converting twice for 12-0. Jake Bibby replied for Salford for a 12-4 scoreline at the interval. Greg Eden (Rankin conv) made it 18-4 inside seven minutes of the restart before two tries in as many minutes from Jansin Turgut and Joey Lussick saw the latter convert both to cut the gap to 18-16. Cas opened up a 24-16 lead with Jesse Sene-Lefao's try and a Rankin penalty goal before Bibby's second try set up a tense finish.

Another close game saw Catalans Dragons earn their first away win of the year with a 18-16 win at Hull Kingston Rovers. A try-less first half saw Craig Hall and Sam Tomkins kick penalties for 2-2 before Weller Hauraki put Rovers ahead with a try four minutes after the restart, Hall converting for 8-2. Joel Tomkins crossed for 12-2 before Brayden Williame and Lucas Albert's tries coupled with a Tomkins conversion drew the Dragons level at 12 all. Hall crossed for a try on 65 minutes to put Rovers 16-12 up before Lewis Tierney crossed for the Dragons with just four minutes left, Tomkins conversion from long range sealing the win. 

2019 Super League Round Four/Five Reviews

Round four opened at the AJ Bell Stadium as St Helens claimed a 26-4 win over Salford Red Devils. A Mark Percival try and Lachlan Coote conversion gave Saints a 6-0 lead after 20 minutes ahead of scores for Jonny Lomax and James Roby with Coote converting only the latter for a 16-0 half-time advantage.

Salford got on the board on 53 minutes as Derrell Olpherts extended his scoring streak in 2019 for 16-4. The visitors responded with a Regan Grace try four minutes later with Roby's second try on 75 minutes and a third Coote conversion rounding off the win.

Friday night saw Castleford Tigers continue their good start with a 32-16 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers. The hosts were stung by a 13th minute opener by Mose Masoe, Ryan Shaw converting for a 6-0 lead, Cas hit back through Jordan Rankin for 6-4 before going 10-6 in front with a Liam Watts try and Paul McShane conversion. The hosts went further ahead just before the interval with Greg Eden crossing for 14-6.

James Clare continued the Tigers streak four minutes after the break, Rankin kicking for 20-6 before a second try for Masoe and Shaw conversion cut the gap to 20-12. The Tigers resumed control a second Eden score and try for ex-Robin Chris Clarkson, Rankin improving both with the boot for 32-12. The final say on the scoreline came two minutes from the end as Chris Atkin touched down for 32-16.

Another all-Yorkshire battle on Friday saw Leeds Rhinos mixed start continue as they lost 35-18 to Wakefield Trinity.  The Rhinos did open the scoring inside three minutes through Ash Handley before a stunning 11-minute hat-trick from Tom Johnstone saw Danny Brough convert twice for a 16-4 lead.

Leeds replied with Tom Briscoe crossing and Tui Lolohea converting for 16-10 but Trinity took just five minutes to regain a two-score lead as Kyle Wood went in and Brough converted for 22-10. Brough extended the advantage just after the interval with a penalty goal for 24-10, Jacob Miller crossed to make it 28-10 before a Brough drop goal and self-converted try in a four minute period looked to seal the win at 35-10. Leeds had a late rally though with both Handley and Briscoe completing braces in the final five minutes for 35-18.

A tight game at the Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday as Catalans Dragons edged a 23-22 win over Warrington Wolves. The Dragons raced out of the block as Brayden Williame crossed inside two minutes ahead of a Kenny Edwards try, Sam Tomkins converting both for 12-0 before adding a penalty goal for 14-0. Warrington replied with a self-converted try from Stefan Ratchford before Tony Gigot swept over a drop goal for the hosts for 15-6 into half-time. The Wolves turned the game around before the hour with scores from Daryl Clark and Ryan Atkins coupled with a Ratchford conversion for 16-15. Remi Casty touched down (Tomkins conv) to restore the lead but just five minutes later, Warrington went back in front, Dec Patton (Ratchford conv) crossing for 22-21. The Wolves looked set to continue their perfect start to the season but were denied the victory five minutes from the end, Tomkins sweeping over a crucial penalty goal for 23-22.

Huddersfield Giants still search for their first win of the season after a 28-8 loss to Hull FC. FC struck first with Joe Westerman crossing in the 15th minute, Marc Sneyd converting for 6-0 before Darnell McIntosh replied for the Giants with Olly Russell levelling with the conversion before kicking a penalty goal for an 8-6 advantage which lasted until five minutes after half-time when Westerman scored his second try and Sneyd kicked FC into a 12-8 lead that was rapidly increased to 16-6 by Ratu Naulago's try. The win was sealed for the visitors by a Josh Griffin brace which saw Sneyd converting both for 28-8.

The final game of the round was one I attended as London Broncos claimed a shock 18-16 win over Wigan Warriors. The Warriors opened the scoring with tries from Liam Paisley and Willie Isa with Zak Hardaker converting once for 10-0. London battled back with scores from Eddie Battye and Matt Gee with Kieran Dixon converting both for a 12-10 lead into the interval.

Dixon crossed for a self-converted try four minutes after the interval before kicking a penalty goal for 18-10. The Warriors cut the gap to 18-16 as ex-Bronco forward Tony Clubb touched down with Hardaker converting but to no avail as London triumphed.

Round five began with Warrington Wolves claiming a 24-10 win over Castleford Tigers on Thursday night. Greg Eden gave the Tigers an eighth minute lead at 4-0 before a seven minute brace from Jake Mamo saw Stefan Ratchford convert the latter for 10-4. Jack Hughes crossed just before the interval with Ratchford kicking for a 16-4 half-time advantage. Ratchford extended the lead to 18-4 with a penalty goal before improving Ben Murdoch-Masila's 50th minute try for 24-4. The Tigers had the final say on the scoreline on the hour mark as Greg Minikin touched down with Jordan Rankin converting for 24-10.

Friday night saw attendance as Huddersfield Giants ended their losing streak with a 14-6 win over Wigan Warriors. The Warriors who successfully appealed their points deduction in midweek fell behind early on as Kruise Leeming went over inside 12 minutes with Lee Gaskell converting for 6-0. The narrow lead lasted past the interval until Morgan Escaré raced over for the hosts with Zak Hardaker kicking Wigan level. Gaskell restored the Giants' lead on the hour with the boot before Joe Wardle crossed for a 65th minute try which Gaskell improved for 14-6.

Leeds Rhinos mixed start to the season continued as they blew a 10-0 lead to lose 34-10 at Hull FC. The Rhinos raced into the aforementioned lead inside nine minutes as Harry Newman and Tom Briscoe crossed with Tui Lolohea converting just the former. FC hit back through Ratu Naulago and Masimbaashe Matongo with Marc Sneyd converting twice for a 12-10 lead that swiftly became 30-10 as Sneyd crossed ahead of Jamie Shaul and Albert Kelly and converted the lot.

The second half proved to be quieter with just one score registered on the board, Dean Hadley crossing for FC to complete the rout and after 13 games without a win extend FC's current streak of three in a row.

St Helens continued their 100% start with a comfortable 26-0 success over London Broncos. Saints flew out of the blocks with Dom Peyroux touching down in the first minute, Lachlan Coote converting for 6-0. Regan Grace and Theo Fages both crossed either side of the half hour mark with Coote converting the latter for 16-0. Coote claimed a try of his own after the hour and converted for 22-0 before Kevin Naiqama completed the rout in the final minutes.

Saturday afternoon saw a huge shock at Stade Gilbert Brutus as Catalans Dragons suffered a 46-0 demolition by Salford Red Devils. The visitors struck the opening score inside eight minutes through Joey Lussick with Ken Sio converting for 6-0. The lead remained at a converted try until 28 minutes when Sio kicked a penalty goal for 8-0. A frantic final four minutes of the first half saw Salford cross twice with George Griffin and Jake Bibby touching down, Sio converting just the former for 18-0. A rapid start to the second half saw Bibby and Griffin complete braces inside six minutes with Sio's kicking making it 30-0. Jackson Hastings and Niall Evalds piled punishment on the Dragons before the hour with Sio rounding off the rout with a self-converted try late on.

A close game ended the round on Sunday as Hull Kingston Rovers edged a 10-6 win at Wakefield Trinity. A first half without a try saw Danny Brough and Craig Hall exchange penalty goals for a 2-2 half-time score. Further penalty goals either side of the hour saw Brough successful ahead of Hall for 4-4. A third Brough penalty goal edged Trinity ahead on 70 minutes before the first and last try of the afternoon came on 74 minutes as Danny McGuire went over with Hall converting for 10-6.

2019 Super League Round Three Review

 

Round three opened on Thursday night as Wakefield Trinity defeated Catalans Dragons 22-12 at the Mobile Rocket Stadium. The hosts opened the scoring on 16 minutes as Tom Johnstone crossed, Danny Brough converting for 6-0 but the lead lasted barely three minutes as Samisoni Langi touched down and Sam Tomkins converted for 6-6. The Dragons edged ahead on the half hour with a Tomkins penalty which was cancelled out inside two minutes by David Fifita's try and Brough's conversion for 12-8. Brough converted a penalty before adding the extras to a James Batchelor score for a 20-8 half-time lead. A second try for Langi closed the gap to 20-12 on 56 minutes with the final say on the scoreline coming ten minutes later with a Brough penalty for 22-12.

Friday's non televised action saw Warrington Wolves claim a 32-20 win over Huddersfield Giants at the John Smith's Stadium. A rapid start from the Wolves saw Ryan Atkins and Josh Charnley cross for tries which saw a single conversion from Stefan Ratchford who minutes later added a penalty goal for a 14-0 lead. Charnley extended the lead with his second try before Jermaine McGillvary cut the gap just before the interval for 18-4. Hudds cut the gap further six minutes after the restart through Matty English with Lee Gaskell converting for 18-10.  Three tries in 15 minutes put the Wolves back in full control as Atkins claimed his second score ahead of Blake Austin and Ben Murdoch-Masila touching down, Ratchford kicking twice for 32-10. Huddersfield had the final say on the scoreline with two late tries, Jordan Turner and Akuila Uate crossing with Gaskell converting the latter for 32-20.

The evening's televised game saw St Helens come from behind to win 27-22 over Leeds Rhinos at the Totally Wicked Stadium. The Saints raced out of the blocks with Theo Fages and Jonny Lomax scoring inside nine minutes, Mark Percival converting for 10-0. Leeds hit back quickly with Kallum Watkins and Konrad Hurrell touching down, Tui Lolohea converting both for a 12-10 lead which became 22-10 into the interval after tries from Ash Handley and Mikolaj Oledzki and a conversion from Lolohea. Leeds' lead only got shorter in the second half as a rapid brace from Alex Walmsley and Luke Thompson score coupled with conversions from Percival and Lachlan Coote gave the hosts a narrow 26-22 lead. The final say went to James Roby as he swept over a last minute drop goal for 27-22.

Saturday saw two games, the first a tight contest at KCOM Craven Park as Salford Red Devils edged a 24-22 win over Hull Kingston Rovers. Ex-Red Devil Weller Hauraki put KR ahead inside seven minutes with Ryan Shaw converting for 6-0, Salford hit back rapidly with Robert Lui crossing for 6-4 before Josh Jones put Salford 8-6 ahead on 24 minutes. KR restored the lead with Craig Hall touching down ahead of two scores in the final seven minutes of the half, George Lawler and Jimmy Keinhorst crossing while Shaw improved both with the boot for 22-8.

The second half saw the hosts kept scoreless as Salford cut the gap though Derrel Olpherts and a try and conversion from Ken Sio for 22-18 before completing the comeback ten minutes from the end with a Joey Lussick try converted by Sio for 24-22.

The day's televised action came from Ealing Trailfinders as Castleford Tigers eased to a 40-6 victory over London Broncos. The Tigers struck a fifth minute opener through Peter Mata'utia with Paul McShane kicking for 6-0 before a Rhys Williams try and Kieran Dixon conversion drew the Broncos level.

Castleford took control from that small blip with Jake Truman, Junior Moors and Jesse Sene-Lefao all crossing before half-time with McShane adding three conversions for 24-6.  Liam Watts extended the lead within four minutes of the restart, McShane's conversion bringing up the 30 point mark ahead of a Greg Eden try and self-converted effort from Jordan Rankin for 40-6.

In attendance on Sunday as Wigan Warriors became the first side to fall victim to the new golden point rule with a 23-22 loss to Hull FC. The Warriors struck first with Oliver Gildart crossing and Zak Hardaker converting for 6-0 inside seven minutes. Two tries in six minutes from FC saw Carlos Tuimavave and Joe Westerman go over with Marc Sneyd converting both for a 12-6 lead.

Debutants Ratu Naulago and Liam Byrne crossed for either side with Sneyd and Hardaker converting as FC led 16-12 into half-time. Naulago struck again three minutes after the restart with Sneyd kicking for 22-12. Wigan battled back with a Ben Flower try and Hardaker conversion before late drama as Gildart touched down in the final seconds for 22-22 with Hardaker's miss meaning the game would be the first Super League match settled by Golden Point. History was made with the first possession as Sneyd swept over a drop goal to claim a 23-22 win, FC's first since June 2018.  

World Club Challenge/ Super League Round 10 Pt1

The traditional World Club weekend returned with the bottom four of 2018 also facing off due to their early Challenge Cup entry clashing with the rest of Round 10.

In attendance on Sunday evening as Sydney Roosters become World Champions with a 20-8 win over Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium.

A rapid start from the NRL side saw Brett Morris cross twice inside nine minutes with Siosiua Taukeiaho converting the latter for a 10-0 lead. Wigan hit back on 20 minutes with a Tom Davies try before Morris completed his hat-trick for a 14-4 half-time advantage.

A Taukeiaho penalty goal on the hour mark made it 16-4 with Wigan closing the gap five minutes later through Liam Marshall's acrobatic try at 16-8 but to no avail as the Roosters sealed the win on 77 minutes through Daniel Tupou.

London Broncos' mixed start continued as they fell to a 22-12 at Hull Kingston Rovers. Rovers raced out of the blocks with Kane Linnett crossing for 4-0 inside three minutes. London levelled with a Matt Gee try on ten minutes with Kieran Dixon's conversion giving them a 6-4 lead.

The advantage lasted into the interval but just seven minutes after the restart, KR turned it around with tries from Mitch Garbutt and Craig Hall converted by Josh Drinkwater and Hall for 16-8 before a second from Garbutt and Hall conversion extended the lead to 22-6. The final say on the score went to London though as Jay Pitts touched down six minutes from the end with a Dixon conversion for 22-12.

Leeds Rhinos claimed their first win of the season with a comfortable 46-14 win over Salford Red Devils at the AJ Bell Stadium.  The hosts struck first with Joey Lussick crossing and Ken Sio converting for 6-0 inside seven minutes.  Leeds hit back through Adam Cuthbertson and Jack Walker, Tui Lolohea converting both for a 12-6 advantage on 20 minutes.

Konrad Hurrell touched down two minutes later with Lolohea's kick making it 18-6 into the interval, Josh Jones cut the gap after the restart, Sio converting for 18-12. Both sides exchanged penalties with Lolohea kicking on 51 minutes and Sio on 58 for 20-14. The Rhinos took control with a second score from Hurrell ahead of a Matt Parcell try and Walker crossing twice to complete his hat-trick, Lolohea converting three times for 42-14. The rout was rounded off on 71 minutes by Ash Handley's try. 

2019 Super League Round Two

The round opened on Thursday night at the KCOM Stadium with Castleford Tigers claiming a 26-18 win over Hull FC.

An early double from the Tigers saw Michael Shenton and Jesse Sene-Lefao cross with Paul McShane converting the former for a 10-0 advantage. FC hit back through Joe Westerman with Marc Sneyd converting before adding the extras to Jake Connor's effort to make it 12-10. The Tigers regained the lead right on half-time as Shenton claimed his brace for 14-12 and their lead stretched to 24-12 as James Clare and Junior Moors touched down, McShane converting the latter. Hull cut the gap to 24-18 just before the hour mark, Jordan Lane going over and Sneyd kicking the goal but it was to be the Tigers' night as ex-Hull fullback Jordan Rankin converted a penalty goal on 62 minutes to secure the two points at 26-18.

Attended on Friday night at the DW Stadium as Wigan Warriors got off the mark with a 34-16 victory over Leeds Rhinos. The Rhinos stunned their hosts with a third minute opener from Ash Handley with Tui Lolohea converting for a 6-0 lead that lasted just three minutes, Dan Sarginson touching down after collecting a clever kick and Zak Hardaker converting to level.

Brett Ferres crossed to regain the Rhinos' lead, Lolohea kicking for 12-6 before Ben Flower touched down for 12-10 on 21 minutes. Wigan edged ahead with a Joe Greenwood try which Hardaker converted for 16-12 before a first Warriors score from Joe Bullock saw Hardaker kick for a 22-12 half-time advantage. Hardaker added a penalty goal after the hour mark before George Williams and Kallum Watkins crossed for either side making it 28-16. The hosts secured the win three minutes from the end as Liam Farrell touched down and Hardaker converted for a fifth time.

Saturday's televised action saw a second loss of the season for Huddersfield Giants as they went down 27-10 to Catalans Dragons at the Stade Gilbert Brutus. The Giants opened the scoring with Matt Frawley crossing and Izaac Farrell converting for 6-0 inside seven minutes but a rapid brace from Brayden Wiliame both converted by Sam Tomkins conversion gave the Dragons a 12-6 lead.

The hosts took control with a Tomkins penalty and Lewis Tierney try opening up an 18-6 half-time advantage that became 20-6 with another Tomkins penalty goal two minutes after the restart. A self-converted Tomkins try on 68 minutes looked to have confirmed the win but Hudds cut the gap to 26-10 with eight minutes to go through Oliver Roberts' effort who was denied the final say on the scoreline by a last minute drop goal by Matty Smith. 

Warrington Wolves made it two wins in a row at the Halliwell Jones Stadium as they claimed a 28-14 win over Hull Kingston Rovers. The visitors struck first as Ben Crooks crossed for 4-0 inside eight minutes before Harvey Livett's 20th minute try was converted by Stefan Ratchford making it 6-4. Blake Austin was sin-binned for the hosts who took instant advantage as Craig Hall crossed to put them 8-6 ahead.

Tom Lineham touched down just before the interval with Ratchford kicking for 12-8 into the break before converting a second try for Livett for 18-8 on 54 minutes. Josh Charnley extended the lead on 66 minutes with a try which was followed by a Danny Addy try and Josh Drinkwater conversion to close the gap to 22-14. Warrington wrapped up the win in the final minute as Mike Cooper crossed with Ratchford kicking his fourth conversion of the afternoon.

Sunday's review begins with Salford Red Devils moving atop the standings after a 24-0 win over London Broncos at the AJ Bell Stadium. 

The deadlock was broken on 20 minutes as Ken Sio crossed with Jackson Hastings converting for 6-0. The score was the sole mark on the first half score-board but the second half saw a rapid start with a self-converted effort from Hastings inside three minutes who then kicked a penalty goal on 55 minutes for 14-0. The comfortable win was rounded off by two tries in the final ten minutes with Niall Evalds and Josh Jones touching down, Hastings converting just the latter. 

A last-gasp try at Belle Vue saw St Helens claim a 24-18 victory over Wakefield Trinity to maintain their winning start to the season.

Saints struck first with Morgan Knowles crossing and Mark Percival converting for 6-0 inside eight minutes.Trinity hit back through Tom Johnstone for 6-4 before Tom Makinson  went in for the visitors making it 10-4 A second Johnstone score and first conversion from Danny Brough sent the sides level into the interval. 

Brough put the hosts 12-10 ahead with a penalty goal before Regan Grace's try turned it around to 14-12 and Saints increased their lead further with Makinson's second try for 18-14. Bill Tupou crossed just four minutes later for Trinity with Brough kicking for 18-18. Golden point looked to be on the way for the first time in 2019 but Saints had other ideas as Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook dived over to score with Percival kicking to confirm the win. 

2019 Super League Round One

A season that sees no more Super 8s and the prospect of golden point on a cold Thursday night began this weekend with Round One.

A derby clash at the Totally Wicked Stadium saw St Helens take the bragging rights with a 22-12 win over reigning Super League champions Wigan Warriors who started the season with a two point deduction due to salary cap irregularities from 2017.

A debut try from Kevin Naiqama and Jonny Lomax effort saw Mark Percival converting twice for a 12-0 lead before tries from Ben Flower and Liam Marshall both converted by Zak Hardaker saw Wigan go into the interval level. at 12 all. Saints regained the lead with a Regan Grace score ten minutes after the restart before a James Roby try and Percival conversion on 73 minutes wrapped up the victory.  

A comfortable 20-4 opening win over Catalans Dragons at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle for Castleford Tigers begins Friday's review. An early self-converted try from Paul McShane put the Tigers 6-0 ahead with McShane adding a penalty goal for 8-0 before Greg Eden crossed for a 12-0 advantage into the interval. 

McShane's penalty goal on 47 minutes made it 14-0 with the Dragons cutting the gap after the hour through Lewis Tierney for 14-4. The hosts wrapped up the two points late on with a second Eden try which McShane converted for his fourth success with the boot. 




A superb opening win for Salford Red Devils saw them claim a 34-14 victory over Hudddersfield Giants at the John Smith's Stadium. Izaac Farrell kicked an early penalty goal for the Giants for a 2-0 lead before a tries from Junior Sa'u and Ken Sio opened up an 8-2 advantage. Akuila Uate crossed after the interval with Farrell converting to level at 8 all before a Joey Lussick penalty goal restored Salford's lead at 10-8. 

The visitors took control with a stunning 19 minute hat-trick from Niall Evalds which in addition to Sio's self-converted effort made it 30-8. Kruise Leeming cut the deficit late on with Farrell converting for 30-14 but the final say went to Darrel Olpherts who crossed in the final minute. 

The night's televised action saw Hull Kingston Rovers secure a tight 18-16 win over city rivals Hull FC at KCOM Craven Park. Rapid tries from Sika Manu and Matty Dawson saw Marc Sneyd convert both to give FC a 12-0 lead. KR fought back with tries from Joel Tomkins and Mitch Garbutt, Josh Drinkwater converted both before adding a penalty goal just before the interval for a 14-12 advantage. FC regained the lead on 67 minutes as Bureta Faraimo crossed for 16-16 but a last-gasp try from Jimmy Keinhorst secured a famous win for KR as he crossed for 18-16. 

Saturday evening's TV game saw Warrington Wolves ease to a 26-6 win over Leeds Rhinos at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. A self-converted Stefan Ratchford score and penalty goal put the Wolves 8-0 ahead inside 22 minutes with Josh Charnley and Daryl Clark crossing for tries which Ratchford converted for a 20-0 half-time advantage. 

Debutant Blake Austin crossed just before the hour mark for the Wolves who with Ratchford's fifth conversion led 26-0. Leeds avoided a nilling though with Stevie Ward going over three minutes from the end with Tuimoala Lolohea converting for a 26-6 final score.

Sunday afternoon featured a perfect start on their return to Super League for London Broncos at Ealing Trailfinders as they claimed a huge 42-24 victory over Wakefield Trinity. Wakefield raced out of the blocks with Craig Kopczak and Ryan Hampshire crossing for tries inside eight minutes with Danny Brough converting for 12-0. Matty Fleming  replied for London, Jordan Abdull converting for 12-6 before Brough converted a Jacob Miller effort to restore the 12-point lead at 18-6. 

London fought back to 18-14 with Rhys Williams crossing ahead of a self-converted try from Kieran Dixon  The Broncos led at the half though as Eddie Battye and Matty Fozard touched down, Dixon converted both for a 26-18 advantage. Trinity cut the gap to 26-24 on 53 minutes with Kyle Wood crossing and Brough converting but to no avail as the Broncos took full control, Williams and Battye completing braces either side of the hour mark before a late try from Elliot Kear breached the 40 point mark with Dixon completing the afternoon with four conversions for 42-24.