Round 4 of the Super League season has just been completed. Here is our wrap of the weekend’s action in European rugby league.

Hull FC versus Leeds Rhinos
This was the archetypal game of two halves. FC dominated the first half in terms of possession against an out-of-sorts Rhinos outfit who seemed to panic and rush things too much.

Danny McGuire in particular had a poor first half which included four handling errors. Despite their domination, Hull could only score two tries, both from Leon Pryce – the second of which was his career 200th. His halfback partner Marc Sneyd converted both.

FC had four players withdraw from their original squad of 19, gave a debut to England Academy captain Jansin Turgut and had only a five-day turnaround from their defeat at Salford Red Devils last Saturday.

None of this mattered in the first half as the black and whites put in a confident performance although would have liked to have had a bigger lead with the amount of possession they had.

The second half was a completely different story. Within five minutes of the kick off the Rhinos were level. Young prop forward Brad Singleton took advantage of some poor Hull defence to storm through a gaping hole before drawing in the Hull fullback Jamie Shaul and releasing McGuire to run in opposed on his 350th Rhinos appearance.

Within minutes Singleton got one himself when McGuire returned the favour – a quick flat cut-out pass saw Singleton power over the line – Kevin Sinfield converted both tries and the game was level.

For the rest of the half it was all one way traffic as the Rhinos put all their first half problems behind them and cut loose. England centre Kallum Watkins was one of the stars, making 11 clean breaks. He made one of those breaks from his own half to send in the supporting McGuire for his second and quickly followed that up and he showed some great footwork to beat the FC full back to score a try himself.

Within a few minutes veteran prop Kylie Leuluai barged over for a try. Sinfield converted and the game was over at 30-12 with 18 minutes still to play. The Rhinos let the ball flow and Hull had no answers.

They were lucky not to concede just the two more tries that they did – both to replacement hooker Rob Burrow. In between Sinfield dropped a goal to rub salt into the gaping Hull wounds and Burrow could have had a hat-trick if he had collected a cheeky reverse pass from Adam Cuthbertson.

It didn’t matter – the Rhinos had upped their game in the second half and Hull could not live with them. In total, 43 unanswered second-half points gave them a comfortable win – their fourth in a row and they went to the top of the table.

NRL watch
FC – Former Titans centre Steve Michaels, playing with an arrest warrant hanging over his head, made his second appearance of the season and was badly at fault for the Rhinos’ first try.

Mark Minichiello played the full 80 minutes again and worked hard defensively but could not get through a tight Rhinos defence and that was the same story for former Bulldog Mickey Paea. Former Rabbitohs winger Fetuli Talanoa had no opportunities to score and Iafeata Paleaaesina (Warrors) and Jordan Rankin (Titans) could make no impact off the bench.

Rhinos – Adam Cuthbertson (Knights) added to his growing reputation in SL and topped the tackle count with 43. He also gained 98 metres and contributed five offloads including a cheeky back hander that almost had Rob Burrow in for a try.

Joel Moon (Warriors) was solid in the centres while Paul Aiton (Sharks) did not quite meet last week’s efforts. Leuluai (Sea Eagles) and Mitch Achurch (Panthers) worked very hard off the bench and had big impacts.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats versus St. Helens
The Wildcats won their first two games of the year and then got hammered at Widnes last time out. It got no easier as the faced the unbeaten champions and coach James Webster was looking for a response. He certainly got one and the Wildcats will be thinking that they should have won the game.

Saints had only one player on the interchange bench for much of the second half of the match as they suffered game ending injuries to winger Mark Percival, start full back Jonny Lomax and reserve forward Luke Thompson. Add in the fact that stand off Travis Burns was suspended for one match which meant that Paul Wellens had to partner Jon Wilkin in a veteran half back partnership.

All of that did not stop the Saints starting well and it was that man Wellens who opened the scoring with a try that put him level with Keith Senior on the all time Super League try scoring list, second only to the Rhinos Danny McGuire. Percival converted and the Saints led 6-0.

The Wildcats looked edgy early on but they responded well to the visitors score. Halfback Jacob Miller picked up a ball off his toes and released Matty Ashurst to score the equalising try.

Miller was nearly over himself but he inexplicably dropped the ball when a beautiful step had opened the Saints line up for him. Fortunately it did not cost them and fullback Craig Hall delayed his pass brillianty to put centre Reece Lynne in for the Wildcats second score. Hall converted both tries and the home team led 12-6 at the break.

Trinity had chances to extend their lead early in the second half but it was the Saints who scored first. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, out wide as a makeshift centre, picked up a loose ball and sprinted 50 metres before being hauled down.

A quick play the ball resulted in Joe Greenwood going in between the posts. Tommy Makinson converted and knocked over a penalty a few minutes later to push the Saints narrowly in front.

Saints went further ahead a few minutes later when skipper Jon Wilkin’s bomb was not dealt with and Jordan Turner, who looked to be offside at the kick, collected the ball to score. Makinson kicked his third goal and Saints had an eight-point cushion.

The Wildcats did not give up and set up a grandstand finish when winger Richard Owen scored off a Dean Collis pass. Hall converted and Trinity had chances to score in the last 10 minutes, but the Saints defence held firm and they registered a tough and hard fought 201-6 victory.

NRL watch
Wildcats – Dean Collis (Tigers and Sharks) was outstanding for the Wildcats while half backs Jacob Miller (Tigers) and Tim Smith (Eels and Sharks) were a bit of a mixed bag. Miller showed some good touches but Smith struggled to get a foothold in the game. Ali Lauitiiti (Warriors) and Lopini Paea (Roosters) worked hard and played well from the bench.

Saints – Still no Luke Walsh (Panthers) and his old teammate Travis Burns was suspended. Mose Masoe (Panthers) had a big game and gained 133 metres, while Atelea Vea (Sharks, Storm and Dragons) was very strong.

Mark Flanagan (Tigers) suffered a head injury and Lance Hohaiha (Warriors) came off the bench.

Castleford Tigers versus Wigan Warriors
The Tigers went into the game looking for their first win of the year and the Warriors were in an uncertain frame of mind on the back of last week’s defeat at Hull KR. Wigan dropped winger Joe Burgess after a string of errors in recent matches and brought in Dominic Manfredi in his place.

Young halfback George Williams was sent to the bench and replaced another youngster, Sam Powell. But whatever Shaun Wane and the Warriors did, they were unable to come anywhere near matching the speed and power of the Tigers.

The Tigers were unstoppable in the first half and wingmen Justin Carney (two) and James Clare accounted for three tries. Fullback Luke Dors, making his first appearance of the season, scored their fourth.

England winger Josh Charnley, making his 100th Super League appearance, responded for the Warriors but they still went in at the break trailing by 22-4.

The second half could not have started worse for the Warriors. A penalty and a failed interception gave the Tigers good field position and Carney took advantage to power past Charnley for his second. Immediately they went back down field after Matty Smith kicked the restart directly in to touch and Clare took a brilliant Dorn pass to score his second in the opposite corner.

Luke Gale was successful with both touchline conversions and had also added a penalty earlier in the half . In the opposite direction Charnley, who was having a defensive nightmare against Carney, scored his second but the Tigers looked comfortable at 30-8.

Oliver Holmes added a further score for the Tigers when he latched onto a Liam Finn kick and skipper Michael Shenton scored his sides seventh and last try on a last tackle play following a break from Dorn.

Wigan had the last say in the match when Smith scored and converted his own try but the Tigers had ran out east 42-14 victors.

Tigers coach Daryl Powell called it the best win of his coaching career while Warriors coach Shaun Wane was exactly the opposite. He said it was his worst experience as coach.

NRL watch
Tigers: Justin Carney (Raiders and Roosters) was outstanding and took his try tally to six in four games this year. Grant Millington (Sharks and Bulldogs) put in a strong shift in the pack and Jake Webster (Titans) worked hard defensively in the centres making 19 tackles.

Junior Moors (Storm) struggled to make an impact, Ben Roberts (Storm) likewise coming off the bench after injury. Luke Dorn (Sea Eagles) made his first appearance of the year at full back and was outstanding, gaining 136 metres.

Warriors: Matty Bowen (Cowboys) was restored to the starting line up but could do nothing to stop the Tigers attacks. Taulima Tautai and Lee Mossop (both Eels) struggled to make an impact against the Tigers forwards.

Huddersfield Giants versus Widnes Vikings
The Giants were another team looking for their first win of the year and the game was very tight in the first half with both sides looking edgy and nervous. The visitors opened the scoring through halfback Joe Mellor but his converted try was cancelled out just before the half hour mark.

A speculative kick through bounced off the Vikings prop Manase Manuokafoa and fullback Scott Grix, making his first appearance of the year after shoulder surgery, was on hand to collect the ball and score. Danny Brough levelled the scores at 6-6.

Just before Grix’s try, the Giants had a try disallowed for a forward pass from Jamie Ellis to Aaron Murphy and the scores stay tied at halftime.

The Giants started the second half stronger and took the lead when winger Jermaine McGilivary snapped up a loose ball and beat the cover defence to score. Brough missed the conversion but the Giants did not look back as the Vikings struggled to contain the home side.

Two Joe Wardle tries extended the home side’s lead and although the Vikings got one back through Manuokafoa, it was too little too late. Prop forward Eorl Crabtree tied the match up in the 73rd minute and the Giants ran out 24-12 winners to claim that elusive first win of the year.

NRL watch
Giants: Again Ukuma Ta’ai was the only former NRL player for the Giants. 17. He had a string match and made 30 tackles.

Vikings: Rhys Hanbury (Tigers) was one of the few backs to worry the Giants and gained 141 metres. Manase Manuokafoa (Rabbitohs, Cowboys and Eels) scored his second try of the year and put in a strong defensive effort. Aaron Heremaia (Warriors) organised well from dummy half while Danny Galea (Panthers, Tigers and Raiders) and Hep Cahill (Storm) had strong defensive games.

Catalans Dragons versus Salford Red Devils
Both teams had good home wins last time out – the Dragons caning the Wolves and the Red Devils beating Hull FC thanks to some Rangi Chase magic – and they would have wanted to back those performances up.

The first quarter was all Salford – the Dragons could not handle Cory Patterson in the left centre – and they were 22-0 up by the time the Dragons got a look in.

Tries from Junior Sau, Josh Griffin, Patterson and hooker Tommy Lee, who made 51 tackles in the match, added to three conversions from Griffin gave the away side a dream start.

Patterson was causing all sorts of concerns in the left centre position and half back Theo Fages, back on French soil, was looking dangerous.

The Dragons’ fight back began with Todd Carney putting Zeb Taia in for a try before Willie Tonga released his winger, Vincent Duporte, to score. Both tries were converted by Scott Dureau and the deficit was cut to four points when the same man provided the pass for Ben Pomeroy to score.

A third successful conversion was made and the Red Devils lead was now a slim 22-18 at the break.

It was clear to see that defences were not on top and that there would be more points to come. The Red Devils had the start they needed in the second half and halted some of the Dragons momentum. Fages picked up a loose ball from Elliot Whitehead and sprinted 60 metres to score.

All too quickly Pomeroy had scored his second try of the game for the Dragons and the Red Devils went back up the field and Rangi Chase scored off a Kevin Locke knock down from a high kick. Griffin converted and the away side led 32-24.

The Dragons next try also came from a kick. Dureau lofted a high ball to the right wing and Michal Oldfield out jumped the Red Devils defenders and collected the ball Aussie Rules style over the line to touch down and score.

Dureau converted and then added a penalty to tie the game up at 32-32.

With seven minutes to play the Dragons thought they had the game sown up. They had gained an eight-point lead through tries from Whitehead and hooker Ian Henderson – unfortunately Dureau could not convert either try and this would prove costly.

With a few minutes remaining Cory Patterson charged onto the ball and reached out to touch down – Griffin converted and the deficit was two points not long to go.

The Red Devils got the luck they needed as the Dragons were controversially penalised near their own posts. Fullback Morgan Escare was tackled but got up and played on not realising he was tackled – usually the referee would call him back to play the ball but referee Phil Bentham instead penalised him and Griffin converted the kick to end the game a 40-40 draw.

Not only were the Dragons distraught at this decision but they will also be without playmaker Todd Carney for a number of weeks after he suffered a broken rib in a crunching tackle from Junior Sau.

NRL watch
Dragons – The halfback pairing of Dureau (Knights) and Carney was again productive until Carney’s injury. Three quarters Michael Oldfield (Roosters), Willie Tonga (Bulldogs) and Ben Pomeroy (Sharks) were all impressive with Oldfield and Pomeroy scoring three tries between them and Tonga gaining an assist.

Zeb Taia (Knights) was a constant threat and ran for 139 metres while the front row of Louie Anderson (Warriors), Ian Henderson (Warriors) and Jeff Lima (Storm and Rabbitohs) had strong all round games.

Red Devils – Michael Dobson (Knights) missed out again through injury but Cory Patterson (Tigers) came back in to the side and was outstanding playing in the left centre and scored two tries.

Kevin Locke (Warriors) also came back into the side at full back and provided an assist for the Rangi Chase try. Junior Sa’u (Knights and Storm) put in the hit that knocked Carney out of the game and had a strong game in attack and defence. Weller Hauraki (Eels) topped the tackle count with 32 and his fellow forward Lama Tasi (Roosters and Broncos) struggled to make an impact.

Warrington Wolves versus Hull Kingston Rovers
The Wolves got back to winning ways in a hard fought but entertaining game that went down to the wire against an improving Hull KR side which was led superbly again by Terry Campese.

The Wolves welcomed back England international Stefan Ratchford at full back with Matty Russell continuing on the wing and they seemed a much better outfit with Ratchford back in the side.

Rovers opened the scoring early on when Campese combined with recalled centre Kris Welham who then drew in two defenders to release his winger Josh Mantellato for his first try in Hull KR colours. The same player converted and Rovers led 6-0.

Both sides were reduced to 12 men as Ashton Sims for the Wolves and Hull KR’s Tyrone McCarthy were sin binned after becoming involved in a scuffle and the Wolves coped with this better than the visitors.

The Wolves scored two tries in this 10-minute spell with Ratchford providing the assist to both. A long pass to Russell gave him enough space to round his opposite winger Ken Sio and then a short ball sent skipper Joel Monaghan over. Ratchford added one conversion and they extended their lead just before the half hour mark when young back rower Joe Philbin scored for the second week running. The Wolves led 14-6 and this was a real test of the away side’s character.

They showed plenty and Mantellato got his second from another Welham assist and converted his try to cut the deficit to 14-12 at halftime as Mantellato just failed with a long-range penalty attempt on the hooter.

Rovers started strongly in the second half and regained the lead through a close range try from French international Kevin Larroyer, making his 100th career appearance, which Mantellato again converted. However, the Wolves were level within a few minutes when makeshift centre released his winger Russell who put in the supporting Gary Wheeler for the try. Ratchford could not convert and the game was locked at 18-18.

Ratchford kicked a penalty to edge his side in front before Russell gave the home side some breathing space with his second try of the match and Ratchford’s third goal gave them an eight point advantage.

But Rovers would not go away. Campese again showed a touch of class to put replacement forward Graeme Horne in for a try – Mantellato again converted and the score was 26-24 with less than 10 minutes to go.

It was that man Ratchford who had the final say when his lovely short pass released Currie to charge 40 metres for the deciding try of a very entertaining game. Ratchford converted and the Wolves gained 32-24 win.

NRL watch
Wolves – Skipper Joel Monaghan (Raiders) scored for the second week running while Ashton Sims (Cowboys) and Roy Asotasi (Bulldogs and Rabbitohs) found it hard going up front. Sims also spent 10 mins in the sin bin.

Rovers – Skipper Terry Campese (Raiders) was again outstanding and is really finding his feet in the competition. His halfback partner Albert Kelly (Titans) struggled with the ball but was busy and made 37 tackles while in the three quarters Josh Mantellato (Knights) scored two tries and kicked four goals for a 16 points match total.

Ken Sio (Eels) did not get any opportunities to add to his try tally. Mitch Allgood (Eels) worked hard defensively and Maurice Blair (Titans) needs to up his work rate from his new position in the second row.

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