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Round 3 Round Up

3 Mar 2024

Round 3 Round Up

It was home wins across the board in Round 3, and this round kicked off with an action-packed Friday night, as there were three Betfred Super League games taking place.

Current table toppers St Helens played hosts to Leigh Leopards live on Sky Sports, where the Saints looked to embark on a trio of wins. There was little to separate the two sides in the first forty, with just one breakthrough try from Jack Welsby to give the home side a narrow 4-0 lead at the break.

The Leopards would hit back instantly through Zak Hardaker after half-time, who went crashing over to get his first try of the 2024 Super League season and Leigh on the scoreboard. But it wouldn't be long before some beautiful Saints play unravelled, as Lewis Dodd scampered out of his side's own half before breaking through the defensive line and finding team-mate Tommy Makinson on the inside - who raced away and went over under the sticks.

This turned out to be the match-winner in what was a low-scoring and gutsy 12-4 affair, as Paul Wellens' men maintained their 100% winning record in 2024. 

Over at DW Stadium, newly-crowned World Club Champions Wigan Warriors' focus returned fully to the Betfred Super League on Friday, as they went head to head with Huddersfield Giants in their Round 3 match. The Warriors worked up an 18-4 lead heading into the break, but Ian Watson's men persisted and on the 43rd minute acrobatic Adam Swift went flying in at the corner on the back of a ridiculous assist from centre Esan Marsters.

But within just one minute, the Warriors proved exactly why they are current Champions as they hit back through the reliable Liam Marshall, as the winger went over for his hat-trick and further extended their lead. Two late tries in the second-half would then go on to seal a strong 30-10 win for Wigan on home soil, as they also remain unbeaten this year. 

An impressive hat-trick for Warriors' Liam Marshall in Round 3.

Friday's third game then saw Warrington Wolves go back-to-back against Craig Lingard's Castleford Tigers. Sam Burgess' side came into Round 3 searching for the second win of the season, whereas the Tigers were very much in need of their first two points.

There were promising signs in the opening ten minutes as Castleford would strike first through centre Josh Simm. A trademark breakaway from Innes Senior down the left edge positioned the Tigers onto the attack, as a string of passes from left to right sent Simm over in the opposite corner.

But it wasn't to be Castleford's night, as Warrington went on to score 30 unanswered points, which included a fancy brace from Matty Ashton, as he produced two flying finishes in the corner - his second try almost identical to his first.

Three more tries from Joe Philbin, Matt Dufty and Josh Thewlis cemented another victory for Warrington, as they registered their second successive win and continued to build momentum. Final result 30-8.

Onto Saturday afternoon and Leeds Rhinos' home advantage came in handy once more, as a thrilling encounter unfolded when Catalans Dragons came to the West Yorkshire city. It was a even contest for the majority of the first half, before the prolific Ash Handley went over for his fourth try in three games to open up the scores for the Rhinos. And Leeds would capitalise just two minutes later through Harry Newman who crashed over, as the hosts led 10-2 at the interval. 

The Dragons were quick to apply the pressure after the break, as Chris Satae forced his way over the try line, but Rohan Smith's men firmly held off any kind of late fightback from their opposition. On the 65th minute, some incredible and free flowing play sent the Rhinos team racing away down the length of the field, before a looping pass from captain Cam Smith found Handley who went over in the corner for his brace - sending the home crowd into raptures, and making it two from two at home for the Rhinos (18-10).

Two of Super League's entertainers then faced each other in Saturday's evening match, as Hull KR travelled to the Salford Stadium seeking the chance to make it three from three. But Salford Red Devils, who were buzzing on the back of their first victory in Round 2, proved they can be a competitive side in Super League as they sealed an impressive and well-deserved 17-10 win.

The Red Devils dominated for large parts of the game, building up a 12-0 lead in the first half with tries from Deon Cross and Chris Hankinson. Their momentum carried on into the second half, as two penalty kicks by Player of the Match Marc Sneyd took the scores to 16-0 in the home side's favour. Despite an attempted late comeback from the Robins with back-to-back tries from Peta Hiku and Jez Litten, Salford's number 7, in typical Sneyd style, slotted over a drop goal nine minutes from time - consigning the Robins to their first defeat of the season, whilst securing his side's second successive win.

Round 3 then came to a close in Sunday's sixth and final game of the weekend when Hull FC hosted London Broncos in a nervy encounter at the MKM Stadium. Both sides came into this match still winless after the first two rounds and were both searching for the two points.

The Broncos were just a minute away from earning their first victory back in the Betfred Super League but had their hearts broken by a last-gasp Morgan Smith try for Hull FC - the score-line 28-24.

London looked to have won the game when Oli Leyland kicked the conversion following Robbie Storey's interception effort giving them a 22-24 lead.

The Black and Whites had a 16-4 advantage at the break thanks to efforts from Nick Staveley, Matty Russell and Lewis Martin. Nu Brown added a second half score before Smith's winner.

Hakim Miloudi was on the scorsheet twice for the Broncos alongside tries from Lee Kershaw and James Meadows.

Round 11 Round Up

19 May 2025

Round 11 Round Up
Highlights | Tigers v Red Devils

18 May 2025

Highlights | Tigers v Red Devils
Highlights | Trinity v Wolves

18 May 2025

Highlights | Trinity v Wolves
Highlights | Robins v Giants

17 May 2025

Highlights | Robins v Giants
Highlights | Rhinos v Hull FC

16 May 2025

Highlights | Rhinos v Hull FC