RL season 2022

All things to do with RL for this season.

So the Championship started yesterday. Bradford and Leigh both get a lot of points in big wins. London lose there first game at there new ground (afc Wimbledon's ground), to Widnes.
Well done Barrow on a good win v Sheffield on there return to the championship.
Big the big result of the day, is Batley overturning a 16 point deficit to gain an excellent win against dark horses Halifax.


Also massive praise to Amatures Lock Lane, who caused an upset in the challenge cup by beating Oldham.

Agreed, very well played Batley. A good side who really know how to use the conditions at their ground* but I was still surprised.

* as you should when playing at home.

Early doors but Fev looking very sharp.

True,

But a big game for them next Monday, with a home game against Leigh. That will tell us more I feel.

The 3rd & 4th rd of the challenge cup has been drawn (sorry didn't start thread early enough for the first 2 rds). Anyway it is.

3RD TIES - To be played 12th/13th Feb.

Lock Lane v Rochdale.
Royal Navy v York Acorn.
London Skolars v Hunslet Club Parkside.
Swinton v North Wales.
Rochdale Mayfield v Doncaster.
Hunslet v Siddal.

4RD TIES - To be play 26th/27th Feb.

York v Newcastle.
Halifax v Featherstone.
Leigh v Widnes.
Lock Lane/Rochdale v Barrow.
Batley v Royal Navy/York Acorn.
London Broncos v Bradford.
London Skolars/ Hunslet Club Parkside v Sheffield.
Swinton/North Wales v Hunslet/Siddal.
Workington v Dewsbury.
Rochdale Mayfield/Doncaster v Whitehaven.

Luke wrote:The 3rd & 4th rd of the challenge cup has been drawn (sorry didn't start thread early enough for the first 2 rds). Anyway it is.

3RD TIES - To be played 12th/13th Feb.

Lock Lane v Rochdale.
Royal Navy v York Acorn.
London Skolars v Hunslet Club Parkside.
Swinton v North Wales.
Rochdale Mayfield v Doncaster.
Hunslet v Siddal.

4RD TIES - To be play 26th/27th Feb.

York v Newcastle.
Halifax v Featherstone.
Leigh v Widnes.
Lock Lane/Rochdale v Barrow.
Batley v Royal Navy/York Acorn.
London Broncos v Bradford.
London Skolars/ Hunslet Club Parkside v Sheffield.
Swinton/North Wales v Hunslet/Siddal.
Workington v Dewsbury.
Rochdale Mayfield/Doncaster v Whitehaven.

The BBC have announced that the Hunslet/Siddal game will be available on there iPlayer, sports website and app from 1pm on Sun 13th.

Rd2 of the Championship.
London are 0 by Halifax who score 28, York rebound from there defeat v Featherstone to get a convincing win against Dewsbury. Widnes demolish Workington 68-18. Sheffield win very well and convincingly at Bradford. Batley continue there impressive start with a good win at Newcastle.
And in the first Cumbrian derby, Barrow win at Whitehaven.

Featherstone continue they're impressive start to the season.
With a impressive performance in a dominant win against Leigh.

So the 1st game of the new super league season happened last night. And saw St Helens fairly easily beat a disappointing Catalan side. Saints dominated the last 20 minutes of the 1st half, and Catalans didn't really offer much afterwards.

On the 2 major decisions, the sin boning whilst I can see why, I personally thought both should have gone.
The sending off is a definite all year long, and was just dumb.

I can't see beyond Saints yo win the Grand final and close tussle in the Championship between Leigh and Fev

So with 5 of the first 6 am games played.

Salford get a great result winning away to Castleford, Wigan school an error ridden Hull KR to gain a good away win, Warrington beat a 12 man Leeds Away. Leeds were gutsy. And after giving up the 1st 10 points, Huddersfield spoil Toulouse big party by totally dominating and schooling a flat Toulouse side.

Welcome to SL Toulouse. For a side that conceded 10 points per game last year a stark indication of what is to come. I do feel for them, losing players just before the start of the season a hammer blow.

The Beast wrote:Welcome to SL Toulouse.  For a side that conceded 10 points per game last year a stark indication of what is to come.  I do feel for them, losing players just before the start of the season a hammer blow.

A reality check and they will have to sign some quality players quickly

So the rest of the weekends highlights.

Hull FC gain a gritty win at Wakefield, after losing Jake Connor who was sent off.
And completing a strange oddity on the opening round, in that other than St Helens on the opening night, no other home side won.

In the Championship, Widnes lead the table after a 9-8 win at Halifax. 2 other sides are undefeated. Featherstone (slightly predictable), who gain a good away win at Workington. And surprisingly Barrow, who get a good home win against Newcastle. York gain a great win at Batley. Dewsbury gain there first win, beating Sheffield in a tight game. But perhaps the most surprising result is Whitehaven's 8-0 win at London Broncos for there first win. In Monday's game, Bradford compete very well in the 1st half, before Leigh blow them away to run away with it in the 2nd half.

In the 3rd round of the challenge cup.
Massive congratulations to Hunslet Club Parkside on there magnificent and comprehensive victory at London Skolars. The Royal Navy continue there excellent run by beating York Acorn.
Hunslet, Rochdale, Doncaster and North Wales (in probably the game of the rd), win.

SL rd2 started last night.
And Warrington easily beat an error ridden, penalty giving Castleford 34 - 10.
Robbie Mulhern was fantastic (still hurts though).

Tonight's game
Sees Wigan beat Leeds 34 -12. Wigan are playing some scintillating rugby league, looking dangerous from anywhere on the pitch, backed up by some strong defence.
Looking decent bets to and Saints grand final domination of the last 3 years.

Luke wrote:Tonight's game
Sees Wigan beat Leeds 34 -12. Wigan are playing some scintillating rugby league, looking dangerous from anywhere on the pitch, backed up by some strong defence.
Looking decent bets to and Saints grand final domination of the last 3 years.

Having just seen the highlights, that is more like it from Wigan. I was disappointed last year their attack....well what attack. Jai Field has that acceleration that will create headaches for opposition coaches.

Agree Beast,
Given how injured Field was last year, wasn't sure about him. But this year, he's looking impressive.

Today's games, well the city of Hull will be drowning there sorrows, As Hull FC are fairly easily dominated by St Helens as they lose 6 -38 at home. Though the sending off (what the f*** did Gale think he was doing there) helped, Saints were already 14-0 up, it just really helped Saints seal it early.
Meanwhile Huddersfield beat Hull KR 26 -12 at home. Rovers didn't wake up till around the 60th minute, by then Huddersfield were to far in front.
And in arrange, Catalans beat Wakefield 24-22, Wakefield producing a great fight back, but Catalans nervously held on.

I saw the Hull/Saints game. Sorry to say I thought Hull were awful, even before Gale was (rightly IMHO) sent off. Obviously that did not help and whilst accepting it was difficult they do have Ben Reynolds to organise plays......or not. Brett Hodgson saying they need to improve, frankly that needs to be quickly to avoid him being under significant pressure.

Quick mention of the Championship, Newcastle having trailed at H/T eventually overcame Whitehaven. Featherstone continued to chew through the division beating London.

I think Brett Hodgson is on borrowed time at the Black and Whites unless things improve soon there and London must be in danger of being relegated.

I think they'll give Hodgson till the end of this year, and to be fair they do have a share of injuries. But watching them, there's just nothing exciting about them. As for London, they were always going to be up against it after they announced they were going part time.

Today's games, in SL Salford beat Toulouse 38-12 at home. Ken Sio scoring 4 tries. Sad seeing Toulouse struggling so much.
And the only game in the Championship as the weather ripped up the fixture list, Leigh gain a comfortable win at York 40-4. Already looks like the 2 favourites will be the 2 battling for the final. Though early days.

Widnes keep there 100% record, by beating a game Dewsbury side away 36-10, after a fairly even first half. Widnes ran away worth it in the 2nd.

Catalans win the Thursday game, grinding out a 10-4 win at Leeds, who have still to win this season.

Tonight's scores.
St Helens continue there good start to the season, by beating Wakefield 20-4 at home.
And Hull Kingston Rovers begin there charge for the title and cup double (might be a tad optimistic), by beating Castleford 26-10 at home. In an error ridden game, Rovers played some okay rugby, and looked back to last season's form.

Challenge Cup this weekend with the Championship sides joining. For me picks of the round for me being Fax v Fev & York v Newcastle. Leigh v Widnes on Monday night, tough for any Championship side to win there particularly a P/T side on a weekday.

Best of luck to the amateur sides, Royal Navy (at Batley) and Hunslet Club Parkside (home to Sheffield).

Today's results.

Toulouse lose again, this time at home to Warrington 32-18. Though they sh9wed a lot of spirit, especially in the 2nd half. Warrington where just that bit better than them.
And Hull FC thump Salford 48-16. Great win for Hull.

And in the first challenge cup game, North Wales beat Hunslet to progress, and hopefully get a decent draw.

Think this might be a step to far for the amateur sides, as both there oppwnts are good championship side's, but a bit of luck.
Halifax/Fev game of the round for me, especially as Halifax really need to start doing something to start there season off.

Yes you were right regarding the Challenge Cup amateur sides. The Royal Navy being sunk at Batley, Hunslet give Sheffield a real scare for 75 minutes before conceding very late tries.

Elsewhere.

No real surprises other than for me how comfortably York beat Newcastle.

Don't be fooled by Bradford beating London 8 - 34 in the capital, a tight game until around the 60 - 65 minute mark. Bulls gave debuts to Elliot Hall and Sammy Kibula, they played Elliot Kear in the halves as Jordan Lilley has had a setback from his injury and Billy Jowitt is still out.

Draw for next round is tomorrow night after the Leigh v Widnes game.

Sorry forgot to put Wigan beat Huddersfield 22 -12.

Which means after 3 games, St Helens sit top of the league, with Wigan and Warrington close by. The rest of the play off spots are filled at this moment by Huddersfield, Hull FC and Salford. Meanwhile in 12th spot (last, and the relegation place), are unsurprisingly Toulouse. Though there are still 3 other clubs with 0 points, so still hope for them.

The championship had the weekend off due to the challenge cup.
So Widnes still top the league, followed by Featherstone, Leigh, Barrow, Batley and Newcastle in the play off spots.
13th & 14th (The 2 relegation spots in the Championship) sit London Broncos and Workington with 0 points.

In the challenge cup.
As Beast says, Hunslet Club Parkside put in a great performance before Sheffield finally pulled away to win 40-20. And Batley pushed aside Royal Navy 66-6 in a convincing professional performance.
In the other ties, Whitehaven put on a dominant second half performance to win at Doncaster 60-0 (after only being 12-0 up at ht). Featherstone won at Halifax 29-16, Barrow win at Rochdale 38 -12, Workington beat Dewsbury (26-12), and York got a very impressive 42-13 win v Newcastle. In the Monday game, Leigh brushed aside Widnes 38-4.

This weekend sees the start if the NCL ( main amateur leagues), with last season's winners Thatto Heath looking to retain (them v Siddal in the 1st game looks tasty). And a slew of clubs looking to avoid relegation/get promotion. The amateur leagues are, premier, league 1, league 2,league 3.

The rd5 draw is (And yes it's dumb that still no super league sides).

Barrow v Workington,
Bradford v Leigh,
Whitehaven v York,
Batley v Featherstone,
North Wales v Sheffield.

Couple of great ties, Batley/Featherstone should be an interesting game, the Cumbrian derby which should not only be a good game but also on tv. As should Bradford/Leigh.

Leeds win there 1st game of the season, by winning the Thursday game 34-18 at Wakefield.
This game was pretty much over at it, with Leeds leading 30-0. And though Wakefield pulled some pride back, that's 4 losses from 4, and they look in trouble and a battle with Toulouse.

Friday games.

And error ridden, and defensively weak Hull or get thrashed 42-8 at home by St Helens. Who are a great side, so didn't really need the help Rovers gave them.

In the other game at Warrington. After a fairly even first half (Catalans shaded it I thought, but on the scoreboard it was 6-6). Catalans were excellent at the start of the 2nd half to jump into a 24-6 lead, and then held on despite a Warrington fightback to win 24-18. A deserved victory, even better when you think who they had out.

An excellent performance from Toulouse, who went toe to toe with Wigan at home, before succumbing to a last minute drop goal to lose 29-28.
But this kind of performance should give them encouragement for the rest of the season.

Luke wrote:An excellent performance from Toulouse, who went toe to toe with Wigan at home, before succumbing to a last minute drop goal to lose 29-28.
But this kind of performance should give them encouragement for the rest of the season.

Key game for them next week at Wakefield.

Today (6th March)

Good win for Cas over Hull FC and Huddersfield convincing winners at home to Salford (34 - 2)

In the Championship;

Fev come from behind to beat Fax at home
York edge out London as do Bradford at home to Batley
Sheffield hammer Workington, Leigh win again 34 - 18, Newcastle the victims this week
Whitehaven beat Dewsbury 40 - 12, another game that was close for an hour.

From the highlights I saw, Hull put in a strange error ridden start. And still nearly comeback.

Top 5 in SL. Saints, Wigan, Huddersfield, Warrington, Catalans, Hull FC.
Toulouse are still bottom.
Big week for both Huddersfield, who have had an excellent start to the season, and Catalans.

And a couple of big matches, as Beast says Wakefield/Toulouse is a massive game despite being early in the season. Also St Helens/Warrington and Catalans/Wigan at the other end of the table.

With tonight's game still to come (Widnes/Barrow, if Widnes win they go back top), the Championship table is.

Featherstone, Leigh, Widnes, Barrow, York & Sheffield in the play off places.
London and Workington in the relegation places.

Championship is off this weekend for the challenge cup. Televised games are Barrow/Workington on various BBC platforms. Batley/Featherstone on Sportsman on Sunday. And the premier game on Monday Bradford/Leigh.

In the Ncl premier division, Thatto Heath, Hunslet Club Parkside, Leigh Miners Rangers, Rochdale Mayfield, West Hull & Wath Brow all started with wins.

England are going to face a combined all stars team on June 18th at Halliwell Jones std (Warrington), in build up to this year's world cup.


And also, the NRL starts this week (various games on sky), starting Thurs morning with Penrith v Manly.

Barrow get a fantastic 34-24 win at Widnes. To continue there unbeaten brilliant start to the season.

Luke wrote:Barrow get a fantastic 34-24 win at Widnes. To continue there unbeaten brilliant start to the season.

This is outstanding;

Penrith open the nrl season with a big win v Manly.

Meanwhile in SL, Hull FC gain an excellent win at Leeds (31-8), to continue there topsy turvy start to the season.

Last night's games.

In the big game, Wakefield beat Toulouse 18-6, a massive result. Especially for Toulouse, who you know wonder when they'll get there first win. For Wakefield, it's a first win. And maybe they'll now kick on as they've got a decent side.
St Helens dominate Warrington and win 28-2, and continue to look the side to beat.
And Hull KR get a good win at Salford (26-16), which was important after last week's none show v Saints. And puts Rovers in a not bad place, as we are more of a warm,solid ground side.

From Saturday.

Catalans put on a very impressive team performance, to beat Wigan 28-0.
Huddersfield come out on top in what sounds an entertaining game, beat Castleford 34-26. And continue there good start to the season.

And in the 1st challenge cup game of the weekend. Another very entertaining game by the sound of it, Sheffield win at North Wales 50-30.

Luke wrote:From Saturday.

Catalans put on a very impressive team performance, to beat Wigan 28-0.
Huddersfield come out on top in what sounds an entertaining game,  beat Castleford 34-26. And continue there good start to the season.

And in the 1st challenge cup game of the weekend.  Another very entertaining game by the sound of it, Sheffield win at North Wales 50-30.

Having now seen the highlights of the cup game. I was wrong, though a good comeback by North Wales from 50-10 down after an hour, they were never going to win it.

Challenge cup games from yesterday.

Barrow continue there good form, winning there 2nd Cumbria derby 32-18 against Workington. Coming back from 18-6 down.
Whitehaven beat York 38-12, to make it a good day for Cumbria.
And Featherstone win fairly easily at Batley.

Only Bradford/Leigh left tonight, and the draw when SL clubs finally enter (wouldn't want to many chances for an upset).

6th rd draw for the challenge cup, ties to be played over 25th/27th of March.
Toulouse aren't in the cup.

Catalans v Featherstone.
Whitehaven v St Helens.
Warrington v Wakefield.
Hull KR v Bradford/Leigh.
Wigan v Salford.
Leeds v Castleford.
Sheffield v Hull FC.
Barrow v Huddersfield.

Great to see most of the sides from the weekend getting home ties. Brilliant for Whitehaven getting Saints. Both Barrow and Featherstone ties are intriguing (expect the SL sides to win, but still). Leeds/Cas for different reasons as both sides have been really poor.

CC Cup draw completed as Leigh leave it late to beat Bradford 16 - 20 at Odsal. I have to say a great performance from the Bulls who were 30 point underdogs with the betting and nearly pulled off what would have been quite the shock.

It is an interesting draw, I would have liked to be greedy and see Fev with a home tie v a SL side.

Thought Bradford played really well. Great performance, and a reply good cup tie. Thought Leigh just had the fitness.

Featherstone at home I think could win.

On a side note, a cup tie v Leigh is the last time I saw Rovers, which we won thanks to a last minute try, about a week before everything shut down the first time.

Wigan win last night's game against Cas 32-22. Kai field again showing his attacking powers, and Cas making a game of it in the 2nd half.
Though got to say, Fonhue yellow card is never a yellow.

So last couple of days results.

Friday's game's.
Hull KR put in a credible performance, getting beat by goalkicks at Catalans 18 -10.
And Salford beat a really poor Leeds by 26-12. Leeds are really poor so far.

But both Saturday's game's provided upsets.
First a really good enterprising Wakefield won at Warrington 22-38.
And then in the suprise of the season so far.
Toulouse win there 1st game of the season against raining champions and current leaders St Helens 22-20.

I thought the Warrington/Wakefield was surprise of the season.....until Toulouse. I am not a betting man but the odds must have been very long on those results. Closes the table nicely.

On my way back from my 2nd game of the season. Having been at Batley/Featherstone 20 all draw.
Batley were excellent all game, really stood up to an off form Featherstone. And fully deserved at least a point.

The other results from this Sunday.

In SL Hull FC gained another win, beating Huddersfield 14-6.
In the Championship. London Broncos got there 1st point of the season, by getting a 18 all draw at Barrow. Great point for them. Bradford got a good away win at Workington 26-12. Batley as already mentioned got a great 20 all draw v Featherstone. Newcastle got a win at Dewsbury 24-22. The other results seem pretty much one sided, as Sheffield won at Whitehaven 44-6, and York beat Widnes 32-6.