Round 18 Round Up

Saturday Super League got underway with the Castleford Tigers travelling to take on the Leigh Leopards with the Leopards looking to keep the pressure on the top six, and the Tigers wanting a response after Magic WKND. 

It was a fast start from the Leopards with a brilliant David Armstrong kick putting Lachlan Lam in after just four minutes which had warning bells ringing for the Tigers, and 10 minutes later David Armstrong would run in himself bringing the score to 12-0 in with less than 20 minutes gone.  

The Tigers though would rally, Sam Hall touching down off a Daejarn Asi kick halving the deficit. Then on the stroke of half time Mikaele Ravalawa would power over the line. Daejarn Asi would make the kick from the touchline taking us into the break at 12-12. 

The second half would start similarly to the first, with them touching down inside the first five minutes. A Lam kick this time finding Umyla Hanley to score. Armstrong would cross for his second just 10 minutes later showing fine footwork to get to the line.  

The Tigers would respond through Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e as he threw a dummy and danced through the line, but it wouldn't be enough for the win despite a strong performance (24-18). 

The second game saw Wakefield Trinity travel to Hull to take on Hull KR, in a game that would see the Robins beaten at home for the first time in over a year!  

It was a strong start from Trinity as Harvey Smith made an excellent run from dummy half to score in the first 10 minutes. Peta Hiku would be sent to the sin bin for a late contact, but the Robins would kick two penalties in his time there, the second one landing Ky Rodwell in the sin bin. Both teams back to 13, they would then exchange penalty goals in the few minutes of the first half, 6-6 at the break. 

Trinity were on a mission in the second half though, led by Caius Faatili. He would barge over to score 10 minutes into the half, and then 10 minutes later as Trinity camped on the Robins' line, he would crash over once more.

An obstruction from the Robins close to their own line would bring a penalty to extend Trinity's lead, as they kept the Robins to 0 tries on the day, ending their unbeaten home record. (6-20). 

The final game on Saturday saw Leeds Rhinos cement themselves at the top of the table with a win over Catalans Dragons, at a ground they hadn't even scored a point at since 2022. 

It was a slightly shaky start as Sivo almost gave the Dragons a simple try but tries from Harry Newman and Lachie Miller either side of an outstanding breakaway try from Brodie Croft saw the Rhinos into the break at 0-16.  

An inspired second half performance from Brodie Croft saw him complete a hat-trick with some outstanding footwork to break the line for both of his second half tries. Ugo Tison would carry a few Rhinos defenders with him over the line as he powered over for a consolation try (6-28). 

Our Sunday Super League offering saw Toulouse Olympique put St Helens to the sword away from home, nilling them at home for the first time in the Super League era. 

A quick start for Toulouse saw Mathieu Jussaume cross twice in the first 15 minutes of the game. Jake Shorrocks would convert two penalties before a late try in the first half for Henry O'Kane saw Toulouse go in 0-20 up at half time. 

The Saints looked to have settled in the opening salvo of the second half, but just before the 60-minute mark Olly Ashall-Bott put Tiaki Chan through a gap to score, and Toulouse would run away with the game from there. Tries from Paul Ulberg and Romeo Tropis put the game beyond doubt before Jussaume completed his hat-trick, and Benjamin Laguerre capped the performance with a diving finish in the corner (0-46).