With the Challenge Cup up and running and the World Club Series around the corner, Super League XX kicked-off this weekend with the 12 best clubs in England launching the first season since the new league structure was introduced.
Let’s take a look at all the action
Widnes Vikings 22-22 Wigan Warriors
Wigan had an early 16-point lead and a man advantage after Widnes winger Patrick Ah Van was sent off for a high tackle on Josh Charnley 23 minutes into the game. But the Vikings fought their way to a draw after making the scores level with two minutes to go in front of a home crowd of 9286, sending each team home with one point.
Widnes tries: J.Meller, R.Hanbury, C.Phelps, C.Dean; Goals: D.Tickle 2/2, S.Marsh 1/2.
Wigan tries: A.Gelling 2, J.Tomkins, J.Burgess; Goals: M.Smith 3/4.
St Helens 18-7 Catalans Dragons
In his first game as St Helens coach, Keiron Cunningham tasted success after his side’s 18-7 win over Catalans Dragons in front of a 12,008 home crowd. After just 12 seconds new recruit Willie Tonga was carried off on a stretcher, and the injury-torn Catalans, also without first-choice halves Todd Carney and Scott Dureau, couldn’t manage to crack St Helens’ line.
After Thomas Bosc left the field for treatment after just four minutes, Catalans’ chances looked even worse. However, he was back on the field soon afterwards. St Helens also had a scare of their own when Greg Richards was sent to the sin-bin after 35 minutes, Catalans finally being able to pounce to take an unlikely half-time lead. Dragons winger Michael Oldfield was also sin-binned later in the match, which saw the reigning premiers march home to come away with two points.
St Helens tries: A.Vea, J.Turner, A.Savelio, T.Makinson; Goals: T.Makinson 1/3, M.Percival 0/1.
Catalans tries: E.Pelissier; Goals: T.Bosc 1/1; Field Goals: T.Bosc 1.
Warrington Wolves 22-8 Salford Red Devils
Ashton Sims impressed on debut as Warrington defeated Salford 22-8 in front of a strong home crowd of 11,864. Despite missing stars Kevin Locke, Lama Tasi and Junior Sa’u through injury – Salford left it until too late to show the Wolves they were capable of defeating one of England’s best teams.
Warrington tries: R.Myler, M.Higham, R.Atkins, R.Evans; Goals: S.Ratchford 3/4.
Salford tries: B.Jones-Bishop 2; Goals: J.Griffin 0/1, M.Dobson 0/1.
Leeds Rhinos 40-30 Hull Kingston Rovers
Three words – Albert Kelly. Wow! Not too long ago Albert Kelly was injury-prone and out of form playing in the Queensland Cup, just like his new partner at Hull KR – Terry Campese – who together strung some magic, proving to be one of the best halves combinations so far this season. This chemistry just wasn’t enough to stop the 2014 Challenge Cup winners in the end with the Robins falling short at the end in front of a near-capacity home crowd of 11,811.
Leeds tries: D.McGuire 2, T.Briscoe, K.Sinfield, K.Watkins, Z.Hardaker, B.Singleton; Goals: K.Sinfield 6/7.
Hull tries: A.Kelly 2, M.Allgood, T.Campese, K.Welham; Goals: J.Mantellato 5/5.
Hull FC 19-0 Huddersfield Giants
What a poor performance from the Giants, who disappointed a home crowd of 7737 after going down 19-0 to Hull FC. Gareth Ellis led from the front for Hull in his 250th Super League game alongside new recruit Mark Minichiello and Marc Sneyd, who proved that he can be just as brilliant as he was last season with Castleford.
Hull tries: J.Shaul 2, F.Talanoa; Goals: M.Sneyd 3/3; Field Goals: M.Sneyd 1.
Wakefield Wildcats 24-22 Castleford Tigers
Wakefield scored a dramatic victory with a try in the 78th minute, to clinch a come-from-behind win over Castleford after trailing 22-6 with 15 minutes to go in front of 10,728 at The Jungle. What’s more amazing – Ali Lauitiiti or the Wildcats come-from-behind victory?
Wakefield tries: P.McShane, P.Godinet, A.Lauitiiti, D.Washbrook; Goals: C.Hall 4/4.
Castleford tries: D.Solomona 2, L.Gale, J.Carney; Goals: L.Gale 3/4.
League table
1. Hull FC
2. Warrington
3. St Helens
4. Leeds
5. Wakefield
6. Widnes
7. Wakefield
8. Castleford
9. Hull KR
10. Catalans
11. Salford
12. Huddersfield
Round 2 fixtures
Salford Red Devils versus St Helens
Hull FC versus Warrington Wolves
Leeds Rhinos versus Widnes Vikings
Wigan Warriors versus Huddersfield Giants
Catalans Dragons versus Castleford Tigers
Wakefield Wildcats versus Hull KR
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The younger brother of NRL star Nathan Cleary, Jett, has inked a three-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors to start in 2025. Cleary,…
The rugby league community is in mourning following the sudden death of former Kangaroos centre Terry Hill from an apparent heart attack in the…
Amid Dale Finucane's forced retirement call, NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent said teams should be forced to alter their tackle technique through significant suspensions,…
Dale Finucane will go down as one of the most honest, hard-working and inspirational players of his time. He’s what we want out of…
New coach Michael Maguire is considering as many as 50 players for the State of Origin series opener with not even captain James Tedesco…
All the team list information for Round 8.
