The second round of the Betfred Super League season saw the competition travel to Australia for a record making fixture.
Leeds Rhinos 20-11 Hull KR
Talk about taking your chance with both hands. Joel Moon had to drop out of Leeds Rhinos’ clash with Hull Kr due to injury, meaning Jimmy Keinhorst had to step in. The centre made the most of his opportunity with a hat-trick as his side made it two wins in two at Elland Road.
Despite the defeat, Chris Atkin was brilliant for the visitors on his Super League debut and picked up the man of the match award. He linked up well with Danny Maguire, who returned to face his former club.
It wasn’t a happy return though, as two tries in five minutes from Keinhorst in the later stages of the contest sealed KR’s fate.
If last week was concerning for Tim Sheens, then he can definitely take a lot of positives from this display. Meanwhile, Leeds headed to Australia for their World Club Challenge with Melbourne Storm knowing they need to improve if they are to bring some silverware home.
https://nothingbutleague.com/2018/02/10/leeds-rhinos-20-11-hull-kr/
Rhinos:ย Jack Walker, Tom Briscoe, Kallum Watkins, Jimmy Keinhorst, Ryan Hall, Liam Sutcliffe, Richie Myler, Adam Cuthbertson, Matt Parcell, Brad Singleton, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Carl Ablett, Brett Delaneyย Interchange:ย Stevie Ward, Brad Dwyer, Anthony Mullally, Jack Ormondroyd
Tries:ย Adam Cuthbertson, Jimmy Keinhorst 3ย Goals:ย Richie Myler 2
Rovers:ย Adam Quinlan, Ryan Shaw, Andrew Heffernan, Thomas Minns, Justin Carney, Danny McGuire, Chris Atkin, Lee Jewitt, Tommy Lee, Robbie Mulhern, Maurice Blair, James Greenwood, Chris Clarksonย Interchange:ย Jordan Walne, Shaun Lunt, Mose Masoe, Ben Kavanagh
Tries:ย Ryan Shaw, Adam Quinlan Goals:ย Shaw 1ย Field Goals:ย Chris Atkin 1
Huddersfield Giants 20-6 Warrington Wolves
If you don’t believe in hoodoo’s, then explain Warrington Wolves’ away form against Huddersfield Giants to Steve Price. The Australian watched on as his side slumped to another defeat, as they are without a win at the John Smith’s Stadium since 2014.
In dismal conditions the Giants got their first win of the season, as Danny Brough led his side to the two points. It was the Wolves who opened the scoring through Tom Lineham, but that was as good as it got.
Declan Patton created the visitor’s only try, as he replaced Tyrone Roberts in the halves. He will be hoping for an extended run in the Warrington side, after Roberts failed to impress in round one.
For Huddersfield, Rick Stone will be delighted with the response his men made after an opening weekend defeat. The manner of the victory will be pleasing too, as they fought the conditions to pick up their first victory of the season.
Giants:ย Jake Mamo, Darnell McIntosh, Lee Gaskell, Jordan Turner, Aaron Murphy, Jordan Rankin, Danny Brough, Paul Clough, Adam O’Brien, Ukuma, Ta’ai, Dale Ferguson, Ollie Roberts, Ryan Hinchcliffeย Interchange:ย Kruise Leeming, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Daniel Smith, Tyler Dickinson
Tries:ย Dale Ferguson, Darnell McIntosh, Jordan Turnerย Goals:ย Danny Brough 4
Wolves:ย Stefan Ratchford, Tom Lineham, Bryson Goodwin, Ryan Atkins, Matty Russell, Kevin Brown, Declan Patton, Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Jack Hughes, Ben Murdoch-Masilaย Interchange:ย George King, Ben Westwood, Joe Philbin, Morgan Smith
Tries:ย Tom Lineham Goals:ย Bryson Goodwin
Wakefield Trinity 14-12 Salford Red Devils
Gareth O’Brien has been one of Salford Red Devils most outstanding players for a number of years now. His boot saved the club from relegation, with a 50-metre field-goal in their dramatic Million Pound Game win over Hull KR. That same boot couldn’t give the Red Devils their first win of the season though, as conversions were the difference in their loss to Wakefield Trinity.
It would be harsh to criticise O’Brien, with him being a stand-out performer for the club. His failure to convert any of the Red Devils three tries was costly though, as Liam Finn’s hat-trick of two pointers sealed the win for Trinity.
Despite scoring a try less than their opponents, the hosts found a way to win and made it back-to-back victories to start their campaign.
With 25 minutes on the clock the scores were level at 8-8, before Jacob Miller crossed for a converted try. Salford thought they had snatched a point in the final minute of the contest, as Kris Welham forced his way over in the corner. It wasn’t to be though, as the last kick of the game saw O’Brien’s conversion effort drift wide.
Trinity:ย Scott Grix, Ben Jones-Bishop, Reece Lyne, Bill Tupou, Tom Johnstone, Jacob Miller, Liam Finn, David Fifita, Kyle Wood, Anthony England, Matty Ashurst, Justin Horo, Tinirau Aronaย Interchange:ย Danny Kirmond, Pauli Pauli, Craig Huby, Ryan Hampshire
Tries:ย Scott Grix, Jacob Millerย Goals:ย Liam Finn 3
Red Devils:ย Gareth O’Brien, Jake Bibby, Kris Welham, Junior Sa’u, Niall Evalds, Rob Lui, Jack Littlejohn, Lee Mossop, Josh Wood, Lama Tasi, Josh Jones, Weller Hauraki, Tyrone McCarthyย Interchange:ย Craig Kopczak, Logan Tomkins, Luke Burgess, Ben Nakubuwai
Tries:ย Rob Lui, Niall Evalds, Kris Welhamย Goals:ย n/a
Wigan Warriors 24-10 Hull FC
History was made on Saturday morning, as Wigan Warriors and Hull FC went head-to-head in Wollongong. It was the first ever Betfred Super League fixture to take place outside of Europe, and the Warriors came out on top.
Youngster Liam Marshall stole the show, with his early double setting the tone for Wigan. Hull were valiant in defeat, as their trip proved costly. Bureta Faraimo left the field with a head injury after just two minutes, and Danny Houghton and Mark Minichiello also picked up injuries.
FC failed to register any points in the second period, as Ryan Sutton and Ben Flower crossed to seal Wigan’s win. Fetuli Talanoa and Jordan Abdull were Hull’s scorers, but it wasn’t enough for them to make it two wins from two.
Over 12,000 fans were at WIN Stadium to watch the game, as the two clubs will take part in friendlies against Australian opposition next week.
https://nothingbutleague.com/2018/02/10/super-league-match-report-2/
Warriors:ย Sam Tomkins, Tom Davies, Dan Sarginson, Oliver Gildart, George Williams, Sam Powell, Tony Clubb, Thomas Leuluai, Ben Flower, Joel Tomkins, Liam Farrell, Sean O’Loughlin, Liam Marshallย Interchange:ย Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Willie Isa, Morgan Escare
Tries:ย Liam Marshall 2, Ryan Sutton, Ben Flowerย Goals:ย Sam Tomkins 4
FC:ย Jamie Shaul, Bureta Faraimo, Josh Griffin, Fetuli Talanoa, Albert Kelly, Marc Sneyd, Scott Taylor, Danny Houghton, Dean Hadley, Mark Minichiello, Jake Connor, Sika Manu, Mickey Paeaย Interchange:ย Liam Watts, Josh Bowden, Jordan Abdull, Danny Washbrook
Tries:ย Fetuli Talanoa, Jordan Abdull Goals:ย Marc Sneyd 1
Catalans Dragons 12-21 St Helens
St Helens were made to work hard for their second victory of the season, as they defeated Catalans Dragons despite going down to 12-men. Morgan Knowles was dismissed for a dangerous tackle on Thibaud Margalet with 28 minutes still left on the clock.
Justin Holbrook’s faith in youngster Danny Richardson has paid off, as he played a crucial role in the win. He has kept Matty Smith at bay since the start of the season, and has impressed on both occasions. Richardson’s drop-goal seven minutes from time and his penalty goal on the hooter closed out the victory for Saints.
Ben Barba once again led from the front for the visitors, as he laid on Jonny Lomax’s opener in the first minute. The Dragons failed to score until the 50th minute, as David Mead made it two tries in as many games.
It was a huge improvement for Catalans, however it wasn’t enough to help Steve McNamara’s men pick up their first win of the season. In contrast, St Helens weren’t at the height of their powers, however they still managed to back up their opening weekend victory with another triumph.
https://nothingbutleague.com/2018/02/11/super-league-match-report-catalans-dragons-12-21-st-helens/
Dragons:ย David Mead, Jodie Broughton, Iain Thornley, Brayden Wiliame, Lewis Tierney, Greg Bird, Lucas Albert, Remi Casty, Michael McIlorum, Mickael Simon, Benjamin Jullien, Ben Garcia, Jason Baitieriย Interchange:ย Julian Bousquet, Thibaut Margalet, Antoni Maria, Alrix Da Costa
Tries:ย David Mead, Alrix Da Costaย Goals:ย Lucas Albert 2
Saints:ย Jonny Lomax, Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival, Adam Swift,ย Regan Grace, Ben Barba, Danny Richardson, Luke Douglas,ย James Roby, Luke Thompson, Dominique Peyroux,ย Zeb Taia, Jon Wilkinย Interchange:ย Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Morgan Knowles
Tries:ย Jonny Lomax, Regan Grace, Adam Swift Goals:ย Danny Richardson 4ย Field Goals:ย Danny Richardson 1
Castleford Tigers 13-12 Widnes Vikings
No-one would have imagined that Widnes Vikings would be one point away from winning their opening two fixtures of the Betfred Super League season. They were unlucky not to come away from the Mend-A-Hose Jungle with something, as Castleford Tigers edged a tight encounter.
Jay Chapelhow’s try seven minutes from time gave Widnes hope that they could pull of an upset, however Tom Gilmore missed two late drop-goal attempts. Luke Gale’s one pointer was the difference, as last year’s Grand Finalists got their first win of the season.
The first period was almost scoreless, until Greg Minikin’s try in the final minute of the half gave the Tigers a 4-0 lead. The Vikings temporarily took the lead, before Jy Hitchcock’s try gave Castleford the advantage. Gale added a penalty goal and a one-pointer to lead his side to victory.
It has been a very promising start to the campaign for the Vikings, and they will take a lot of positives from the defeat. Daryl Powell will be relieved his side could get off the mark, as they put a disappointing round one display behind them.
Tigers:ย Ben Roberts, Greg Minikin, Jake Webster, Michael Shenton, Jy Hitchcock, Jamie Ellis, Luke Gale, Grant Millington, Paul McShane, Alex Foster, Oliver Holmes, Mike McMeeken, Adam Milnerย Interchange:ย Junior Moors, Nathan Massey, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Matt Cook
Tries:ย Greg Minikin, Jy Hitchcock Goals:ย Lukeย Gale 2ย Field Goals:ย Lukeย Gale 1
Vikings:ย Rhys Hanbury, Olly Ashall-Bott, Charly Runciman, Krisnan Inu, Stefan Marsh, Joe Mellor, Tom Gilmore, Jay Chapelhow, Danny Walker, Greg Burke, Chris Dean, Matt Whitley, Chris Houstonย Interchange:ย Sam Wilde, Wellington Albert, Hep Cahill, Tom Olbison
Tries:ย Matt Whitley, Jay Chapelhowย Goals: Tomย Gilmore 2
