Round 8 Round Up

Friday and Saturday saw an action-packed Round 8 of Betfred Super League...

Adam Clune's match-winner clinched a win for Huddersfield Giants at AMT Headingley on Friday night, as Ian Watson's men made it five straight wins in all competitions. 

A pulsating encounter unfolded between the two West Yorkshire sides, as it became a thrilling end-to-end affair. 

Twice the Giants had to overturn a 12-point deficit - the visitors finding themselves 12-2 behind at the break.

Leeds Rhinos dominated the first half and touched down through Paul Momirovski and David Fusitu'a - Fusitu'a making his first appearance in the side since September last year.

A half-time team talk must have done the trick, as Huddersfield came out firing, bringing the scores back level at 12-12 with early tries from Esan Marsters and Elliot Wallis.

But it wasn't long before two quick fire tries put the hosts ahead once again - Momirovski grabbing his second and then Frawley setting up team-mate Jarrod O'Connor, as the ding-dong battle continued.

Huddersfield's outstanding attack would eventually see them through however, as Adam Swift continued his superb scoring run, diving in at the corner before a combination of Marsters and Swift found Harvey Livett who went over for a try.

The Giants then found a momentum that simply couldn't be stopped, as Jake Connor's quick hands created a try for Kevin Naiqama on the outside, which brought them level once again.

Connor's off day with the boot didn't matter either, as he slotted over a crucial penalty to edge his side two points in front with just six minutes ago.

On for a nail-biting finish, a late Leeds error would give Adam Clune the space to race away 70 metres and seal the Giants' first win at Headingley in six years, in a dramatic fashion (24-30).

A coast to coast effort from @GiantsRL ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/J5QEGcDeJl
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 19, 2024

Meanwhile, St Helens returned to winning ways with a 58-0 nilling over a youthful Hull FC. 

Nine different try-scorers crossed for the Saints side, as Hull FC experienced their first outing since the departure of their head coach Tony Smith. 

Paul Wellens' men were already leading 24-0 heading into the break, as Tommy Makinson, Jonny Lomax, Waqa Blake and James Bell touched down in the first forty. 

It took Saints just four minutes to score in the second half as Joe Batchelor went in under the posts, before Mark Percival added to the Black and White's woes with a try on his return. 

Konrad Hurrell and Curtis Sironen would get in on scoring spree, and Waqa Blake also bagged himself a brace on the night.

Jack Welsby then sliced through the defence to go over on the hooter, as Saints bounced back from last week's disappointing Challenge Cup loss with a big home win.

Over at the DW Stadium, Wigan Warriors ensured back-to-back wins over Castleford Tigers in both the league and cup. 

First half tries from Bevan French and Liam Marshall saw the Warriors lead 12-8 at the break after Tigers' Louis Senior, who joined on an initial two-week loan spell from Hull KR, crossed for the visitors, as he raced the length of field to touch down under the posts.

After the restart, Wigan's Ryan Hampshire widened the points difference with two tries in quick succession - in doing so he surpassed 500 Super League points - before Marshall and Abbas Miski added further points.

Rowan Milnes did cross for a consolation try in the final minutes, diving on a loose pass to score from close range, but it was ultimately Wigan who would prove too strong once again, as the Warriors continue their unbeaten run on home soil this year (36-14).

Friday night delight ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/AbmjgkG0oL
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 19, 2024

On Saturday there was a second feast of Rugby League action, as a trio of games took place across the afternoon and evening.

Warrington Wolves recorded another victory to climb the league ladder but were put to the test by a tough Leigh Leopards outfit, who contested them all the way.

Josh Charnley opened the scores two minutes in with a try in the corner on his 350th appearance, as the Leopards made an extremely strong start.

The Wolves would then hit back through Lachlan Fitzgibbon 20 minutes in, who claimed his first try of the season after collecting a timely kick through.

Back-to-back tries edged Leigh further in front - Zak Hardaker tapping a grubber kick through to find Ben McNamara, before Matt Moylan, Ricky Leutele and Charnley linked up to go over for their third try of the afternoon.

With still plenty of minutes left to play, the Wolves produced an incredible comeback, as they clawed their way back into the game through Matt Dufty, who took in Fitzgibbon's offload to score.

As a spirited Warrington side refused to give in, Josh Thewlis made a break on the 71st minute, getting a pass away to Matty Nicholson to send him over for the match-winner (16-14). This makes it seven wins out of a possible eight in Super League for Sam Burgess' side.

The winning @WarringtonRLFC try ?

And what a try it was ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/5EISp0hVhJ
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 20, 2024

A tight encounter took place in the capital, as London Broncos were still searching for their first Super League win, and had the opportunity to move from the bottom of the league table.

They welcomed Salford Red Devils to the Cherry Red Records Stadium, and similar to previous matches this year, the Broncos would strike first on the scoreboard.

This time it came following a set play from the scrum, as a long ball found Iliess Macani out on the wing.

It didn't take too long for the Red Devils to respond however, as Ryan Brierley's burst through the London defence sent the full-back on a scampering run, who found Captain Kallum Watkins in support to touch down.

Mike Eccles' men found themselves just two points behind at the interval, due to an unconverted kick, but an early try saw Salford's Deon Cross dive over and extend this margin to eight.

Some brilliant Broncos defence continued for the remainder of the game, as they did not concede another point throughout. But the Broncos were unable to capitalise on their attack, which meant the Red Devils would take the two points on the road - the hosts slumping to another defeat (4-12).

Ball over the top to Deon Cross ?

Salford starting strong in the second half ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/2KXxVQdxIy
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 20, 2024

It was sheer dominance from Catalans Dragons on Saturday night, as the home side comfortably beat Hull KR to stay top of the table for another week running (36-6).

Both teams are currently thriving in 2024, but it was the Dragons who came out on top in Perpignan, having evidently recovered from last week's Challenge Cup quarter-final loss.

Steve McNamara's men made a fiery start, racking up 26 points through some splendid attack - Micky McIlorum, Matt Ikuvalu, Tom Davies, Jordan Dezaria, Theo Fages all on the scoresheet for the Dragons, with Joe Burgess the sole try scorer for Hull KR.

The second half proved to be a much quieter period, before tries from Tom Johnstone and Tariq Sims would top off a wonderful win in the south of France.

.@tariq_sims enjoyed that one! ?

Topping off a great win for @DragonsOfficiel ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/WQZ7X8ThiE
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 20, 2024