Super League Round Two and Twelve Pt 1 Results

Super League Round One Review

A new title and a new Super League season as the 2018 season began this past weekend with round one.

Thursday night saw two opening games with the first seeing defending champions Leeds Rhinos edging a 16-12 win over Warrington Wolves. 

An opening scored from Jamie Jones-Buchanan saw Kallum Watkins convert for a 0-6 lead inside 14 minutes before Ryan Hall crossed to extend the lead to 0-10. Watkins kicked a penalty goal for 0-12 before a self-converted try from Bryson Goodwin cut the gap to 6-12 into the interval. 

Hall made it 6-16 with his second try ahead of the hour mark but the Wolves setup a tight finish with Tom Lineham crossing in the final minute with Goodwin converting for 12-16. An opening loss for the new structure at the HJ under Steve Price while the Rhinos made a good start to the defence of the title.

Hull FC romped to a 38-12 opening win at home to Huddersfield Giants in the evening's other game.

A try inside four minutes from Albert Kelly saw Marc Sneyd convert for 6-0 ahead of adding a penalty goal for 8-0. Hudds responded and took the lead with efforts from Ryan Hinchcliffe and Ukuma Ta'ai with Danny Brough converting both for an 8-12 advantage. Sneyd kicked a penalty goal late in the half for a 10-12 score into the interval.

FC took control in the second half, a hat-trick from Fetuli Talanoa sandwiching an effort from Jake Connor with Sneyd converting the lot for 34-12. Jamie Shaul rounded off the win with a score on 63 minutes to give the Black and Whites a comfortable win before they jetted off on the NSW Tour.

Joining Hull FC on the trip to Australia are Wigan Warriors who prepared for the trip in style with a 40-12 win at Salford Red Devils.

The hosts opened the scoring inside four minutes as Kris Welham touched down with Gareth O'Brien kicking for 6-0 before Wigan responded with scores from Tom Davies and Oli Gildart, Sam Tomkins converting once for a 6-10 advantage that lasted until the half time interval.

Wigan increased the lead within three minutes of the restart with Morgan Escare finishing off a clever move, Tomkins converting for 6-16. The visitors took control just before the hour with a five minute brace from Liam Marshall followed by Gildart's second try with Tomkins converting the lot. The 40 point mark was reached four minutes later as Tony Clubb battled over the line with Tomkins kicking the extras. Salford had the last say on the score with Niall Evalds crossing on 75 minutes with O'Brien adding the extras with the boot for 12-40.

St Helens stunned last seasons League Leaders winners Castleford Tigers in a 46-6 rout.

A rapid start for the Saints saw Ben Barba cross inside five minutes with Danny Richardson converting for 6-0 before Zeb Taia, Jonny Lomax and Mark Percival all touched down with Richardson converting twice for a 22-0 advantage into the interval.

A second score for Percival saw Richardson add the extras ahead of the Tigers getting on the board on the hour through Paul McShane, Luke Gale converting for 28-6. Saints restored their 28 point lead with a second score from Barba (Richardson conv) before Taia's second score and Percival's hat-trick try late on breached the 40 point mark. Richardson converted both for 46-6. A resounding win for the Saints which saw them top the standings while the Tigers reflected on a heavy opening loss.

Friday's other game saw Wakefield Trinity ease to a 28-6 win over promoted Hull Kingston Rovers.

Trinity raced into a 0-14 lead with scores in the opening quarter from Tom Johnstone, Bill Tupou and Liam Finn with Finn only able to convert his own try. The visitors extended their advantage just before the interval with Johnstone claiming his second score for 0-18.

KR replied on 56 minutes with Chris Clarkson touching down and Ryan Shaw converting for 6-26. Wakefield resumed their control on the scoreboard with Johnstone completing his hat-trick on 69 minutes before Ryan Hampshire crossed for a debut try for his hometown club on 74 minutes with Finn converting to complete the scoring at 6-28. 

A good opening win for Trinity while Rovers reflected on an opening loss on their Super League return.

The round came to an end on Sunday as Widnes Vikings eased to a 40-12 win over Catalans Dragons.

Widnes opened the scoring on 13 minutes through Chris Dean with Tom Gilmore converting for 6-0. David Mead replied for the Dragons with Luke Walsh converting for 6-6 before he added the extras to a try from Benjamin Jullien five minutes later as the Dragons led 6-12. The hosts drew level before the interval with Joe Mellor crossing and Gilmore converting for 12-12. 

The Dragons were kept scoreless in the second half as Widnes took full control with Krisnan Inu's score followed by a second try of the afternoon for Dean, Gilmore converting both either side of a penalty goal for 26-12. The rout was rounded off in the final ten minutes by a trio of scores from Patrick Ah Van, Charly Runciman and Stefan Marsh with Gilmore converting just the once. A superb start to the season for the Vikings while the Dragons started miserably on the road. 

Super League Play Offs/Million Pound Game/Grand Final Reviews

The 2017 season came to and end with the final three sets of games, the Play off semis, Million Pound Game and Super League Grand Final.

The Play Offs began with an epic Thursday night game as Castleford Tigers claimed a 23-22 win over St Helens.

Cas made the perfect start as Zak Hardaker crossed inside the first minute with Luke Gale converting for a 6-0 lead that he extended to 8-0 with a penalty goal. Regan Grace cut the gap on 16 minutes for 8-4 with Saints leading into half-time after a Morgan Knowles try and Mark Percival conversion for 8-10.

The Tigers regained the lead with quick efforts from Gale and Adam Milner with the former converting both for 20-10. Saints staged a late fightback with Tommy Makinson, Percival and Luke Morgan crossing for 20-22. 

However, Saints were to be denied a clear win as Gale kicked a penalty in the final seconds for 22-22 and forcing 'Golden Point'. The hosts were to be the victors as Gale swept over a drop goal six minutes into the extra period to send the Tigers to Old Trafford for the first time. 


Leeds Rhinos ended hopes of a new winner of the SL title being guaranteed as they edged past Hull FC with an 18-16 win.

The Rhinos struck first as Stevie Ward crossed inside five minutes with Kallum Watkins converting before improving an effort from Anthony Mullally for 12-0.  Hull cut the gap to 12-6 with a try from the retiring Gareth Ellis which Marc Sneyd converted. 

Five minutes after the interval, FC cut the gap further with an effort from Mahe Fonua before going ahead nine minutes later with Sika Manu's try which Sneyd converted for 12-18. Leeds secured the win and a place at Old Trafford with a try from Liam Sutcliffe with Watkins converting for 18-16.


The battle to secure Super League survival saw Catalans Dragons retain their Super League spot with a 26-10 win over Leigh Centurions in the Million Pound Game.

Leigh struck first with Matty Dawson crossing inside eight minutes with Ben Renyolds converting for 6-0. The Dragons got off the mark five minutes before half-time with an Iain Thornley try for 6-4.The Centurions moved into a 10-4 advantage as James Clare went over but the Dragons soon came back with a nine minute brace from Lewis Tierney, Walsh converting twice for 10-18.

Walsh added two penalty goals before Fouad Yaha rounded off the win four minutes from the end to secure survival for the Dragons and relegate the Centurions to the Championship.


The season final from Old Trafford saw Leeds Rhinos claim an eighth title with a convincing 24-6 win over League Leaders Shield winner Castleford Tigers.  

A great start for the Rhinos saw Tom Briscoe open the scoring on 11 minutes with Kallum Watkins converting for 0-6. A closely fought first half saw just one further score as Danny McGuire kicked a last-gasp drop goal for 0-7 lead.

Two scores in eight minutes saw McGuire cross ahead of a second score from Briscoe with Watkins adding a conversion for 0-17. The win was safe for the Rhinos as McGuire crossed for his second try with Watkins converting for 0-23.

McGuire kicking a second drop goal with just three minutes to go for 0-24 left Castleford with little time to avoid becoming the first side nilled in the showpiece final. The unwanted record was avoided in the final seconds as Alex Foster crossed and Luke Gale converted for 6-24.

The Qualifiers Round Seven Review

The Qualifiers came to an end in round seven with the final place in Super League still undecided as was the team who would face Leigh Centurions in the Million Pound Game.

Leigh Centurions prepared for the Million Pound Game with a comfortable 41-4 win at London Broncos. The Centurions struck first through Matty Fleming inside 13 minutes with Ben Renyolds converting for 0-6 before improving a Harrison Hansen effort for 0-12 in a close first half.

Sam Hopkins extended the lead two minutes after the restart with Renyolds kicking for 0-18 and the visitors were in control at the hour after James Clare's try made it 0-22. London got on the board with a Matty Gee try for 4-22. 

Leigh wrapped up the win with a flurry of late scores as Renyolds scored a self-converted try before improving efforts from Antoni Maria and Josh Drinkwater for 4-40. Drinkwater rounded off the rout with a drop goal in the final minute. 

Warrington Wolves completed a perfect Qualifiers campaign with seven wins after a 46-24 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers. 

The Robins struck first with Will Oakes crossing inside five minutes with Jamie Ellis kicking them into a 0-6 lead. Ben Pomeroy cut the gap to 4-6 with a try on 19 minutes but a three minute brace from Ryan Shaw saw Ellis convert both for a 4-18 advantage. Stefan Ratchford cut the gap with Harvey Livett converting for 10-18 before he improved a late effort from Brad Dwyer for 16-18 into the interval.

The Wolves completed the comeback nine minutes after the interval through Andre Savelio with a second score from Pomeroy four minutes later, Livett converting once for 26-18. KR cut the gap to 26-24 as Ellis converted a second score from Oakes. Warrington secured the victory with a second Savelio try ahead of effort from Peta Hiku, Ben Currie and Livett with Livett and Gidley adding conversions.  

 

The battle to avoid the Million Pound Game saw Widnes Vikings secure a 12-10 win over Catalans Dragons to retain their Super League status and leave the Dragons to battle with Leigh for the final Super League spot. 

Catalans opened the scoring inside seven minutes as Luke Walsh kicked a penalty goal for 2-0 before Tom Gilmore drew the Vikings level with a 23rd minute penalty goal. Gilmore gave the Vikings a 2-4 lead five minutes later with another penalty but Walsh replied for a 4-4 score into half-time.

The first try of the game came on 54 minutes as Corey Thompson crossed for 4-8 ahead of a Stefan Marsh try for 4-12. Catalans set up a frantic finish with a Julian Bousquet try which Walsh converted for 10-12. Catalans had the chance to level late on with a penalty which would have secured home advantage in the MPG but chose to run the play and in failing to score fell to a defeat that left them needing to win the MPG to retain Super League status.  

 

The final game of the round saw a first ever Qualifiers win for Featherstone Rovers as they claimed a 26-20 win over Halifax.

Fev struck first with a John Davies try which Ian Hardman converted for 0-6 before he kicked a 23rd minute penalty for a 0-8 advantage. Fax got off the mark three minutes before the interval as Ben Kaye crossed and Steve Tyrer converted for 6-8. 

Fev reached double figures with Luke Briscoe crossing three minutes after the restart, Hardman converting for 6-14. Mitch Calahane replied within two minutes with a try which Tyrer converted for 12-14. Two scores in eight minutes from Frankie Mariano and Misi Taulapapa saw Hardman convert for a 12-26 advantage. Halifax came close to a superb comeback with Rob Worrincy and Ben Heaton going over but missed conversions left the gap at six points as the game came to an end.

Super 8s Round Seven Review

The final round of the Super League Super 8s saw the top four completed ahead of the semi finals.

The round opened with St Helens all but securing a top four spot with a 30-4 win at Salford Red Devils. 

Salford struck first with a Niall Evalds try inside four minutes before Mark Percival crossed to level at 4-4. Alex Walmsley put Saints ahead with Percival converting ahead of kicking a penalty after the hosts had Ryan Lannon dismissed, 4-12 at the interval.

Saints were in control just after the hour with Zeb Taia's which Percival converted for 4-18 ahead of a second score from Walmsley and late try from Ben Barba with Percival converting both.

 

Hull FC wrapped up a top four finish with a 48-16 win over a much changed Castleford Tigers.

FC went ahead inside nine minutes with an Albert Kelly try which Marc Sneyd converted for 0-6 before Jake Connor crossed for 0-10. Danny Houghton (Sneyd conv) extended the lead to 0-16 before the Tigers got off the mark with a debut try from Tuoyo Egodo with Paul McShane converting for 6-16. FC went into the interval in control after a Jamie Shaul try and second score from Connor with Sneyd converting both for 6-28.

Two tries in four minutes from Egodo saw him complete his hat-trick with a single conversion from McShane closing the gap to 16-28. FC resumed control though with Connor completing his hat-trick ahead of a Carlos Tuimavave score with Sneyd converting both and kicking a penalty in-between for 16-42. Shaul rounded off the scoring with his second try on 70 minutes with Sneyd kicking his eighth success of the game. 


Leeds Rhinos prepared for the semi-finals with a 36-12 derby win at Huddersfield Giants. 

A rapid start from the Rhinos saw a self-converted try from Kallum Watkins inside three minutes before Danny McGuire crossed for 0-10. Jimmy Keinhorst extended the lead with Watkins converting for a 0-16 lead that as quickly cut by a Michael Lawrence try which Danny Brough converted for 6-16. 

Leeds took full control with two tries in four minutes ahead of the hour mark, McGuire's second and an Anthony Mullally try with Watkins converting both ahead of adding a penalty for 6-30. Hudds reached double figures as Ryan Hinchciffe crossed with Brough kicking for 2-30. The Rhinos had the last say as Rob Burrow crossed ten minutes from the end with Watkins converting. 


The round ended with Wigan Warriors needing a huge win at Wakefield Trinity to reach the top four, Trinity eased to a 32-0 win to claim fifth spot.

Ben Jones-Bishop got Trinity going with a 16th minute try which Liam Finn converted for a 6-0 lead that became 12-0 when Jacob Miller went over with Finn converting. 

Wigan fell further behind to a Finn penalty before he improved Sam Williams' 60th minute try for 20-0. A miserable afternoon for the Warriors was completed by scores from Scott Grix and Keegan Hirst with Finn kicking both conversions to hand Wigan a first nilling in 2017.

Super 8s- The Qualifiers Round Six Review

The penultimate round of The Qualifiers took place last weekend as the push to retain Super League status and avoid the Million Pound Game continued.

Leigh Centurions ensured they would play in the Million Pound Game with a comfortable 40-6 win over Halifax. Leigh struck first inside four minutes as James Clare crossed for 4-0 ahead of a self-converted effort from Ben Renyolds for 10-0. 

Mitch Brown crossed twice in seven minutes before the interval with Renyolds converting the latter, this after Halifax cut the gap a minute earlier with a Mitch Calahane try which Steve Tyrer converted.

A second try for Clare within four minutes of the restart was followed by Harrison Hansen extending the lead to 30-6. Leigh wrapped up the win with a hat-trick try for Brown on the hour and score from Gregg McNally with Josh Drinkwater converting both. 



Catalans Dragons continued their battle to avoid the Million Pound Game with a narrow 20-19 win over Hull Kingston Rovers.

The Dragons struck first with a 10th minute try from Richie Myler with Luke Walsh converting for 0-6. Walsh converted a penalty on 32 minutes for a 0-8 lead into half time. Hull KR got off the mark nine minutes after the interval as Will Oakes crossed with Zach Dockar-Clay converting for 6-8 before improving Ben Cockayne's score for a 12-8 advantage.

Rovers extended their lead five minutes later with a George Lawler try which Chris Atkin converted before kicking a drop goal on 66 minutes for 19-8. However, Catalans staged a late fightback with Iain Thornley crossing and Walsh converting for 19-14 before three minutes from the end, Brayden Wiliame went over with Walsh converting to seal the win. 


Widnes Vikings furthered their push to secure Super League survival with a 38-16 win over London Broncos. The Broncos opened the scoring with ten minutes gone through Mark Ioane, Jarrod Sammut converting for 0-6. Widnes turned the tide with a score from Matt Whitley and self-converted effort from Lloyd White for 10-6. The Vikings led 22-6 into the interval after White converted tries from Danny Craven and Charly Runciman.


Craven crossed for a second try within two minutes of the restart for a 26-6 lead which was cut by a self-converted try from Sammut for 26-12. Joe Mellor crossed on the hour mark for the Vikings with Tom Gilmore kicking for 32-12. London cut the gap again just six minutes later with a Kieron Dixon try but the Vikings would have the last say on the scoreline with Mellor scoring a second late on and Gilmore converting.



Warrington Wolves maintained their 100% record with a 68-0 humbling of Featherstone Rovers. A rapid start from the Wolves saw Peta Hiku, Stefan Ratchford and Harvey Livett cross inside ten minutes with Livett converting twice for 16-0. Warrington were in firm control by half time as Jack Hughes crossed either side of Ben Pomeroy and Andre Savelio going over the line with Livett converting three times for 38-0.

Hiku and Livett claimed their second tries of the game within 12 minutes of the restart with Livett converting both fora huge 50-0 lead that was further increased by a brace from Jack Johnson either side of a hat-trick try for Hiku with Livett converting the lot to end with a 28 point personal haul.

Super 8s Round Six Review

The Road to Old Trafford continued with the penultimate round of the Super 8 with round six last weekend.

The round opened on Thursday night as Hull FC edged a 19-18 win over Wakefield Trinity. Trinity started the better of the two sides with an 11th minute try from Joe Arundel for 0-4. Jacob Miller extended the lead with Liam Finn converting for 0-10.  Hull fought back with Mahe Fonua crossing with Marc Sneyd converting for 6-10, the score was 6-12 at the interval as Finn kicked a late penalty.

A self-converted try from Sneyd levelled at 12-12 before a Gareth Ellis try with five minutes left saw Sneyd convert before kicking a drop goal for 19-12. Trinity set up a frantic finish with a Mason Caton-Brown try which Finn converted for 18-18 with two minutes left, Finn attempted a last-gasp drop goal which narrowly missed to ensure FC claimed the win.


 
 Friday night saw a comfortable 44-2 win for Leeds Rhinos over Salford Red Devils.

Salford struck first as Gareth O'Brien kicked a penalty two minutes in for 0-2 before Leeds went ahead with a Liam Sutcliffe try with Danny McGuire crossing three minutes later and  Kallum Watkins converting for 12-2. Leeds went into the interval leading 16-2 after a try five minutes before the break from Tom Briscoe. 

A brace from Matt Parcell sandwiched an Adam Cuthbertson effort, Watkins converting twice for 32-2. The rout was completed by two scores in the final ten minutes as Anthony Mullally and Brett Ferres crossed with Watkins converting for 44-2.




St Helens continued their top four push with a comfortable 40-16 victory over Huddersfield Giants. Saints flew out of the blocks with early scores from Jonny Lomax and Regan Grace with Mark Percival converting both for 12-0. Huddersfield cut the deficit with a try from Oliver Roberts with Danny Brough converting for 12-6. Saints went into half-time in control as Lomax crossed for his second try which Percival converted ahead of a self-converted try for 24-6.

Ben Barba extended Saints lead within six minutes of the restart, Percival kicking for 30-6 ahead of an effort from Ryan Morgan for 34-6. Hudds reached double figures as Ryan Hinchcliffe went over and Brough converted for 34-10 before an effort from Jordan Rankin made it 34-16. Saints would have the final say though as Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook crossed three minutes from the end with Percival converting for 40-16.

My attendance for the week came on Sunday as Castleford Tigers dented Wigan Warriors' top four hopes with a 38-20 win.The Tigers opened the scoring inside five minuted with a Greg Eden try for 0-4 before a rapid hat-trick for debutant Jake Trueman in the space of 17 minutes with Paul McShane converting twice for 0-20 into half-time.

Greg Minikin extended the Tigers' lead within six minutes of the restart with McShane kicking for 0-26 before three scores in nine minutes saw Wigan battle back. Tom Davies crossed first with Sam Tomkins and Tommy Leuluai also going over, George Williams converting twice for 16-26. Castleford confirmed the win with Michael Shenton crossing and McShane converting for 16-32. Wigan closed the gap with a Willie Isa try before Minkin scored his second late on which McShane converted.