Round 1 Round Up

The Betfred Super League is well and truly back! Round 1 saw all six games broadcast for the first time live courtesy of the BBC, Sky Sports and the new streaming service Super League+.

Records were also broken as Round 1 saw a total attendance across the six fixtures of an astounding 76,699 - 10% more than any other six-game opening round, as well as the best average crowd for an opening round with 12,783.

And it was a captivating opening round of rugby league that did not disappoint, as we round-up the weekend's action…

Hull FC v Hull KR (0-22)

Round 1 kicked off with the eagerly-awaited Hull derby on Thursday night. This season opener saw fresh faces on both sides, as the fierce inner-city rivals met at the MKM Stadium for the first time since April last year. But it would be a night to forget for the Black and Whites, as they went on to suffer a disappointing defeat and a nilling on the opening night, in front of their biggest opening crowd since 2007.

The Robins scored five tries to beat Tony Smith's men, including tries from debutants Niall Evalds and Kelepi Tanginoa, before their star man Mikey Lewis produced his magic and went over for a brilliant solo try to give them a 14-0 lead at the break. But in a rather one-sided affair, the game wasn't without its drama, and two further tries from Matt Parcell and Niall Evalds would go on wrap up a convincing win for Hull KR. This could have been an even bigger margin, but Peta Hiku was unable to find form with the boot, kicking just one from five conversion attempts. But this didn't matter, as Willie Peters' men would claim a solid victory.

The Robins can now boast bragging rights until late March when the two sides will go head to head once again at Sewell Group Craven Park.

The first try of the 2024 season goes the way of @HullKROfficial and @NEvalds1993 ?

Live on @SkySports Main Event & Arena ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/KEpCIthmEQ
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 15, 2024

Leeds Rhinos v Salford Red Devils (22-16)

On Friday night Leeds Rhinos hosted Salford Red Devils, as an enticing encounter unfolded at AMT Headingley Stadium - with an electrifying atmosphere. There was little to separate the two teams when successful penalty kicks for each side took the scores to 2-2 in the opening quarter. But a try from newcomer Cade Cust 19 minutes in would give the Red Devils the first lead in the game.

A sensational individual effort from Ash Handley would soon follow, as he raced the length of the field before bursting through two defenders, bringing the scores back level. Oli Partington would then go on to put the Red Devils ahead at the break, but the match continued to be evenly-contested, until Rhinos powerhouse Sam Lisone went bustling through the Salford defence to score the winner with ten minutes to go. 

No stopping @Ahandley16!??

The Rhinos level the scores with an outstanding try ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/pOaE4eCyE3
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 16, 2024

Leigh Leopards v Huddersfield Giants (8-16)

Ian Watson and his Huddersfield Giants proved any doubters wrong on Friday night, as they triumphed in a tough battle with last year's Challenge Cup winners Leigh Leopards.

A tight encounter unfolded at the Leigh Sports Village, with respective tries from Giants' Olly Russell and Leopards' Josh Charnley keeping the game fairly even in the first half, before Adam Milner's quick-thinking try from dummy half put Ian Watson's men ahead at the break.

The scrappy affair would continue well into the second half, but Huddersfield would break through again with youngster Elliot Wallis diving in at the corner - his first professional try in Huddersfield colours, which was more than enough to secure a gutsy and hard-fought win.

St Helens v London Broncos (40-4)

A tough away trip beckoned for London Broncos on Friday night, as they travelled the former four-times Super League Champions St Helens, in what was the Broncos' first match back in Super League since 2019. It was a dominant display from the Saints on home soil with seven different try scorers on the night, as they inflicted a 40-4 defeat on Mike Eccles' men.

The Saints would get over the line early doors, as Lewis Dodd went strolling under the sticks five minutes into the match. Three more tries would give St Helens a nice 20-0 advantage heading in the half-time, but a spirited London outfit came up with some incredible improvisation just minutes after the break, as a collective effort from three Broncos debutants meant they were able to get on this Round 1 scoresheet.

Welcome back, @LondonBroncosRL ?

Incredible improvisation for their first try of 2024 ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/UqEPGkBPma
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 16, 2024

A kick from Jack Campagnolo found Lee Kershaw who kicked it on again, as Robbie Storey won the race to the loose ball and went sliding over in the corner. But Paul Wellens' men would prove too be too strong, as new number 9 Daryl Clark touched down on his competitive debut and Matt Whitley enjoyed a dream start to life in the Red V, bagging himself a second-half brace - cementing a comfortable first round victory for the Saints.

Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors

History was made on Saturday as Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors became the first ever Super League match to be broadcast live on the BBC. And the current Champions demonstrated exactly why they hold this title, as they beat a tryless but spirited Tigers 32-4 with tries from Patrick Mago, Bevan French, Liam Marshall, as well as a show and go effort from Kruise Leeming, who went over on his Warriors debut.

Kruise Leeming flying for that try ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/htKA7Wjyid
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 17, 2024

Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves

It was a close and fiery encounter at Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday when Catalans Dragons hosted Warrington Wolves. Both teams have high aspirations in 2024 and Warrington got a glimpse of their future star when 17-year-old debutant Arron Lindop went flying in at the corner with a stunning try on the 16th minute.

Wow! A try for Arron Lindop on debut! ?

The youngster goes flying in at the corner to give @WarringtonRLFC the lead! ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/BQDPvXTjtC
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 17, 2024

But Catalans would hit back with tries from Jordan Abdull and Arthur Mourgue to extend their lead, and despite a late Warrington try following some expansive play and a link-up from Matty Dufty and Paul Vaughan, this was not enough to overcome Steve McNamara's determined Dragons.