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Rivals Round Round Up

31 Mar 2024

Rivals Round Round Up

This year's highly-anticipated Rivals Round (Round 6) did not disappoint as six terrific contests unfolded over the Easter weekend, in what was a remarkable feast of Rugby League in the Betfred Super League.

But who claimed the spoils?

On Thursday night, the Rivals Round opener saw Leeds Rhinos bounce back with a 6-26 win over their near neighbours Castleford Tigers.

An evenly-matched contest unfolded in the first forty of this West Yorkshire derby, with both teams playing to the adverse wet and muddy weather conditions, in front of an electrifying 9,000+ crowd at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

Tensions were high as half-time saw a score-line of 0-0, with their gutsy performances making it an extremely close one to call. But the intensity levels stepped up for the Rhinos in the second half, as the visitors went on to score 26 unanswered points.

Leeds' first two tries came through Paul Momirovski, before Player of the Match Lachlan Miller slid over for a brace to record a hard fought win and bragging rights against the Tigers.

Over in East Hull, Good Friday belonged to Hull KR again, as they defeated their nearest and dearest Hull FC for a second time in a matter of weeks.

Prior to kick-off, both Hull clubs united to pay an emotional tribute to a city and Hull KR legend Phil Lowe, who sadly passed away in March.

And in the Hull derby, a five try spectacle in a perfect first forty would give the Robins a sensational 28-0 lead as they ran riot in front of a sell-out home crowd.

This blitz of tries more or less secured the two points early on for the hosts, as Niall Evalds, Joe Burgess and Mikey Lewis put their side firmly in control with three quickfire tries inside the first fifteen minutes.

This was then followed by James Batchelor and Peta Hiku joining in on the try-scoring extravaganza before Burgess claimed his second of the afternoon right before the half-time hooter.

The Black and Whites' performance improved slightly in the second half, as they produced back-to-back tries from Jayden Okunbor and Cameron Scott to give themselves a slight glimmer of hope.

But ultimately, the Robins would prove too strong, as Kelepi Tanginoa bustled through the FC defence to crash over and cement another derby domination for Hull KR and add to Hull FC's ongoing woes (34-10).

A majestic performance from Hull KR on derby day.

A classic then unfolded at the Totally Wicked Stadium in the hotly-anticipated St Helens v Wigan Warriors derby. Raising their games for the occasion and in front of another sell-out crowd with a truly breath-taking atmosphere, it was a game of the highest quality.

Just two points from a Saints penalty would separate the two sides heading into the break - both sets of fans and viewers at home on the edge of their seats as the second half resumed.

And there was only ever two points between the two sides, as some individual brilliance from Bevan French finally opened the scores on the 55th minute - Wigan's fancy playmaker collecting his own grubber kick to touch down in the corner.

With the visitors leading 2-4, it was a nail-biter of a last ten minutes. But Saints continued to apply pressure on Wigan's line, as Tommy Makinson leapt into the air to collect a high kick from team-mate Lewis Dodd on the last tackle, crashing back down over the try-line.

Putting his side back in front, there was a sudden swing in momentum when Konrad Hurrell then broke the Wigan defence and bulldozed over the line to clinch the derby spoils in dramatic fashion (12-4) - and end the Warriors unbeaten run.

On Saturday, there was some pulsating Super League action at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in a fiery encounter between Warrington Wolves and Catalans Dragons in the afternoon.

The Dragons came out blazing and racked up an 0-18 lead inside the first fifteen minutes through wingers Tom Davies and Tom Johnstone in opposite corners, before captain Benjamin Garcia crashed over for the third try of the match.

Stunning the home side, it was dominant display from Steve McNamara's men in the first quarter, but the Wolves eventually found themselves on the attack with decent field position. They continued to apply the pressure and hit back through Zane Musgrove and Toby King to bring the scores 12-18 at half-time.

An end to end of the field and fast-paced spectacle continued well into the second half, and back-to-back tries from Catalans' Cesar Rouge and Tom Johnstone would further extend the Dragons' lead. 

Two quick fire tries from James Harrison and George Williams brought the hosts back within four points - the hosts spurred on by a passionate 11,000+ crowd - as the game then went the distance in a Rivals Round thriller.

But a match-winner from Jordan Abdull in the dying minutes topped off the try fest, and sealed a magnificent 24-32 win on the road for the French visitors - making it a double over Warrington in 2024.

And there was even more Rivals Round action when Salford Red Devils hosted Leigh Leopards in a cracking local derby on Saturday night.

Ryan Brierley starred for the Red Devils against his former club, scoring a brace on the back of some trademark and magic show and go, before Ethan Ryan dotted down to give the hosts a comfortable 20-6 advantage at the break.

The Leopards wouldn't go quietly however, as they hit back through Lachlan Lam who linked up with Matt Moylan and Ed Chamberlain to race away and dot down, before Umyla Hanley claimed his second hat-trick in two matches - a promising youngster in the Leigh outfit.

It would to be derby delight for the Red Devils however, with another late Ethan Ryan effort confirming a 32-22 victory for the home side.

An entertaining Rivals Round then concluded on Sunday afternoon with a clash in the capital between London Broncos and Huddersfield Giants, with Ian Watson's side coming out on top.

The Broncos led through Oli Leyland's early effort but three unconverted first half tries from Jake Bibby, Esan Marsters and Adam Swift gave the Giants a one-score lead at the interval. Second half tries from Adam Clune and Sam Halsall saw Huddersfield run away with the game and make it back-to-back wins across the league and cup. Final result 6-26.

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