Round 18 saw one of the biggest derbies in Rugby League take place, a tight win for Leeds and Wakefield secure another important point.
Hull KR vs Huddersfield Giants
The Thursday night televised game went to this clash, with Hull KR trying to fight their way back into the top 8. The highlight of the night was Eorl Crabtree, a prop forward, side-stepping KR fullback Greg Eden to score under the sticks.Danny Brough kicked his 9th fourty-twenty, and his 3 conversions helped towards Giants’ victory. Tries from Cudjoe, Ta’ai, Crabtree and 2 from Patrick helped the Giants win 26-22 in a tight battle, with 8,953 at the KC Lightstream Stadium. Hull KR remain outside the top 8, at 9th place, and Huddersfield sit at 6th.
Wigan Warriors vs St Helens
Definitely the game of the round. Arguably the biggest derby in Rugby League. Not the highest scoring derby we’ve ever seen, but that didn’t make it a bad one. Hits, spills and skills made this clash a thrilling encounter to view. The atmosphere was brilliant and it was a great advertisement for rugby league. Wigan tried their hardest in the dying seconds of the game to snatch the win, but Gelling fell 5 metres short of the line with the fulltime siring gone. It was heart-breaking for Wigan fans, but a brilliant night for St Helens. Their fans will still be celebrating this win now. The fulltime score was 16-12 to the Saints, with 20,224 at the DW Stadium, the biggest crowd this year’s Super League competition has seen. St Helens remain on top of the table, with Wigan at third place.
Castleford Tigers vs Salford Red Devils
Both of these teams have surprised the whole of Super League for two different reasons this season. Tigers’ success, and Salford’s, erm…not-so successful season. But on Saturday these two sides went head-to-head in what was a tight encounter. Rangi Chase made his return to the Mend-A-House Jungle after leaving the side at the end of 2013, and he left without a win. Jake Webster’s try, set up by impressive hooker, Daryl Clark, won the Tigers the game in the dying seconds of the match. The fulltime score was 14-10 to Castleford, with 5,937 at this one. Salford are now 12th in the First Utility Super League table, and Castleford 4th.
London Broncos vs Widnes Vikings
London remain pointless, but a positive did come out of this game, as it was the biggest attendance at The Hive so far this season. Widnes’ Kevin Brown was pivotal in this match, and he was the key man. Tries from Ah Van, Cahill, Galea, Hanbury (2) and Flynn (2) made the score 42-24 to the Vikings, with 1,422 at this one. London remain bottom of the table, with a point difference of -467, (eek), while Widnes are 8th.
Warrington Wolves vs Bradford Bulls
This was newly appointed Bradford coach, James Lowes’ first match in charge of the Bulls, and it will be a score-line he’ll quickly want to forget. I think it’s best now that Bradford secure some players for next season and start preparing for the Championship, as it is an almost certainty that they will be relegated. Tries from Harrison, Atkins, O’Brien (2), Monaghan (2), Westwood, Ormsby and Evans made the score 50-24 to Warrington, with 9,003 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium for this one. This leaves Bradford 13th in the table and the Wolves in 5th position.
Leeds Rhinos vs Catalan Dragons
The Dragons haven’t been the best away from home this season, but they sure gave the Rhinos a good game at the Headingley Stadium. Escare showed off his skill and pace once again, and Sam Williams, who is on loan at the Dragons from the St George IIIawarra Dragons also played an important part in this game. A stupid obstruction penalty lost the Dragons the game, with 19-year old Liam Sutcliffe converting from the penalty to make the fulltime score 32-31 to the Rhinos. 13,888 at this one. Leeds remain second in the table, and Catalan sit at 7th.
Wakefield Wildcats vs Hull FC
Wakefield’s coach, James Webster, will be happy about how the way his side are going, with another point in the bag from this game. Lots of FC fans travelled away to this one, according to fans on Twitter, and this created the biggest attendance at The Rapid Solicitors Stadium so far this season. Tries from Mathers, Riley, Lyne and Scruton from Wakefield, and Sa, Horne and two from Yeaman for Hull made the fulltime score 20-all. 5,168 at this one. Wakefield are now 11th in the table, with Hull FC just one place above them at 10th.
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