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Round 18 Round Up

21 Jul 2024

Round 18 did not disappoint with six scintillating spectacles on show and plenty of match-winners!

Here is a round up of the weekend’s entertainment...

It was arguably one of the performances of the season for Warrington Wolves on Friday night, as they beat St Helens at The Totally Wicked Stadium to go second in the Super League table.

Brilliant first half scores from Matty Ashton and Matt Dufty, who dummied and raced away in trademark style, put the Wolves 12-0 up at the break - with Sam Burgess’ men reduced to 12 men in the early stages.

Saints came back into the contest through Agnatius Paasi and Sam Royle’s tries despite an exceptional defensive effort from the visitors.

The hosts continued to apply the pressure but couldn’t quite capitalise nor overcome this strong defensive display from their opponents.

Topping off a memorable 10-24 victory, the Wolves then went down the other end and scored two thrilling late tries from both Adam Holroyd and Matty Nicholson.

That could be winning score for @WarringtonRLFC ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/w9H9NkkIbq
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 19, 2024

Over at the Leigh Sports Village, Leigh Leopards overpowered London Broncos with a seven-try haul. A Lachlan Lam masterclass with his one try and two try assists inspired the Leopards to back-to-back home victories (36-6).

And it was a sensational win for Huddersfield Giants on home soil, and Luke Robinson’s first victory as interim coach. The Giants finally ended their four-game losing streak with a 16-8 hard fought victory over Salford Red Devils.

It was a constantly tight contest, locked in at 8-8 with just seven minutes remaining. There was a try a-piece scored from Salford’s Joe Mellor and Huddersfield’s Sam Halsall, as well as a penalty goal each, before Jake Connor converted a second penalty on the 73rd minute to edge his side in front.

Leading 10-8, the tensions were high inside the John Smith’s Stadium, but with a minute left on the clock, Adam Milner came up with Huddersfield’s match-winner, sneaking in from dummy half and sending the home crowd into raptures (16-8).

Hull FC then caused a huge upset on Saturday as they beat the league leaders and current Champions to record their third win of the season.

It was a stunning display from the struggling Black & Whites, who held off a late comeback from Wigan Warriors at the MKM Stadium.

Simon Grix’s men started the game positively, with Jack Walker going in for the opening try. Wigan’s Liam Marshall, however, immediately responded during his side’s first attempt with possession.

But Hull hit back as Liam Sutcliffe sliced through the Warriors line – Hull continuing to dominate the first forty. A further try from Davy Litten put the hosts 18-4 up at the break - Litten reaching the highest for the ball to touch down and score. And Hull did not switch off in the second half either, with Denive Balmforth crashing over two minutes in.

Player of the Match Jack Walker produced two outstanding try savers during the game, as Hull’s hard work and sheer determination saw them through.

Marshall crossed again and Brad O'Neill and Zach Eckersley also scored tries as Wigan threatened a dramatic late comeback having trailed by 20 points. But a series of scrappy errors had already proved too costly for the away side, as a heroic Hull held out (24-22).

Both Hull sides would taste victory in Round 18, as Hull KR were part of another dramatic spectacle at AMT Headingley Stadium. The Robins found a way to win, defeating Leeds Rhinos, 20-12, despite a tough test from Brad Arthur’s men.

Although Leeds opened the scores through Rhyse Martin and kept KR scoreless in the opening half, Willie Peters' side would respond with two quick fire tries from Ryan Hall and Mikey Lewis straight after the break.

This lead was to be short-lived as Jack Broadbent was unable to deal with Matt Frawley’s kick in the in-goal area, and Lachlan Miller was there to dot down under the sticks.

With less than five minutes to go, Leeds led by two points, but the Robins rallied produced two incredible match-winning tries from Jai Whitbread and Jez Litten, as they continue their mission of achieving second place.

With the winner, @JezLitten breaks through and seals the deal for @hullkrofficial ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/PHKddRSy3E
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 20, 2024

Round 18 concluded with Castleford Tigers v Catalans Dragons on Sunday, where a high quality contest unfolded.

The Tigers dominated the first forty, with a Liam Horne double and a try from Jacob Miller on the back of a brilliant Innes Senior break down the left edge.

Catalans did respond at either side of each half, and eventually levelled the scores at 18-18 through Arthur Mourgue. It would be Tex Hoy who came up with the Tigers' match-winner, however, as he glided through the Dragons' defence ten minutes from time.

Has Tex Hoy won it for the Tigers? ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/W8m7fQEZwz
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 21, 2024

As the home side rallied to keep the French side out, Craig Lingard's men recorded their third win on the bounce, and continued their remarkable resurgence (24-18).