Round 15 saw a derby win for Bradford, St Helens moved to the top of the table and Leeds saw their 3rd defeat of the season.
Huddersfield Giants vs Wigan Warriors
Thursday night saw the inconsistent Giants face a still-injury hit Wigan side, but with O’Loughlin returning from injury, they would have had some confidence. Wigan started off really well and took a 12 point lead, before some bad calls from the ref and defensive errors saw Huddersfield take an 18-12 lead at the half-time break. Huddersfield were dominant in the second half, and tries from Wardle and McGillvary in the second half saw the Giants win 31-22, with 6,106 at The John Smith’s Stadium. Huddersfield are now 6th in table, with Wigan at 4th still, with a game in hand.
Widnes Vikings vs Catalan Dragons
Widnes Vikings secured a dramatic draw with the Dragons in this Friday night thriller. Widnes have been playing very well this year, but they haven’t been noticed as much due to the successful season Castleford Tigers are having. Catalan Dragons are also improving each week, and this win saw them get into the top 8 for the first time this season. Tries from Hanbury, White, Marsh, Owens and Gilmore from Widnes, and Millard, Duport, Escare, Pryce and Oldfield from Catalan saw the game finish 26-all, with a low crowd of just 4,745 at the Select Security Stadium. Widnes are now 7th in the table, with Dragons at 8th.
Warrington Wolves vs Leeds Rhinos
The Friday night televised game saw the improving Wolves face the consistent Leeds Rhinos at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. However, this is a game the Rhinos will want to forget, especially with their challenge cup tie against Leigh coming up this Friday. Chris Bridge was the key man for Wolves in this game, with 2 tries and 4 conversions to his name. Leeds were completely lost and I thought a different team had turned up, compared to the Leeds we have seen in previous rounds. Tries from Bridge (2), Hill and Monaghan saw Warrington win 24-6, with LeuLuai getting a consolation try for Leeds. 10,312 at this game. Leeds are now 2nd in the table, and Warrington are now 5th.
St Helens vs Salford Red Devils
Another defeat for the disappointing Devils, who could be battling against relegation come next week IF Bradford are given any of the 6 points that were taken away from them at the start of the season. Veteran fullback Paul Wellens grabbed himself two tries in this clash, along with Soliola, Hohaia and Wheeler. The Salford Red Devils have only won one of their last eight games since replacing Brian Noble as coach with ex-Wigan assistant Iestyn Harris. 32-12 the fulltime score here, with 11,000 at Langtree Park. St Helens are now at the top of the Super League, and Salford are 11th, just 7 points above Bradford.
London Broncos vs Hull FC
Hull FC secured their first away win in 9-months at The Hive against a London Broncos side who are almost-definitely going to be relegated at the end of the season. A red card to Moore early in the first half didn’t help the London side, who conceded 9 tries on the day. Youngster Callum Lancaster scored two tries for Hull FC in just his second game for the black and whites. Tries also from Ellis, Westerman (2), Shaul, Haughton, Rankin and Talanoa contributed towards Hull FC’s 50-12 victory. Just 1,135 at The Hive for this one. London remain bottom of the Super League table, and Hull FC sit at the 10th spot.
Castleford Tigers vs Hull KR
The ferocious Tigers scored over 50 points against Hull KR, who put 48 points on London Broncos the previous week. Luke Dorn scored a hat-trick as the Tigers go just within 2-points of moving to the top of the First Utility Super League table. Tries from Channing (2), Dorn (3), Millington, Dixon, Ellis, Webster, Huby and Clare saw a score-line Hull KR fans will want to forget. 54-12 the fulltime score, with 7, 196 at the Mend-A-House Jungle. Castleford Tigers are now 3rd in the table, with Hull KR dropping out of the top 8 and moving to 9th position.
Bradford Bulls vs Wakefield Wildcats
The Bulls snatched the two, well-needed, points here against the Wildcats, who today announced that Head Coach Richard Agar would be standing down as coach with immediate affect. The relegation-threatened Bulls may be getting some more positive news too during the week, with the possibility of getting some of their points back. Two tries from Purtell and a try from Olbison, and four kicks from Luke Gale saw the Bradford Bulls secure a 20-12 victory, with 6,249 at The Provident Stadium. Bradford remain second to bottom however, and Wakefield just 6 points above relegation at 12th spot.
Just a total of 46,743 at the games in this round, which could be worrying times for the First Utility Super League competition.
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