RL season 2022

First topic message reminder :

All things to do with RL for this season.

Richard Agar has stepped down as Leeds head coach after a dreadful start to the season. He will get another role at the club later.

Really no suprise.

Final game of this weekend.
Leigh beat Halifax 26-16.

No SL and only 1 championship game next week as the challenge cup takes over.

But on the plus side, league 1 begins next week.

No I am not surprised that Richard Agar has stepped down. I am surprised at Leeds' relatively poor start to the season. Good luck to Jamie Jones Buchannan.

Pleased to see League 1 finally getting off the ground, they were in danger of being left behind.

Will Pryce (Huddersfield) banned for 10 days following a horrible tackle in the Hull FC game. That IMHO IS the type of tackle that needs to be eliminated, 10 games sending a clear message.

I agree about Pryce, I don't think he was being malicious. But it was a bad tackle.

Rumours linking Tony Smith & Danny McGuire to Leeds. Personally I think if McGuire goes into coaching Rovers would be perfect. As less pressure to succeed.

So 6 of the 8 challenge cup games are over.

Last night Wigan beat Salford 20-0, for what seem a like a fairly easy win.
Today.
Featherstone should take a he'll of lot of heart from there visit to Catalan. Even leading 14-8 at it, before tiring badly as Catalan win 27-14.
In the game I was at, Hull KR seemed to be cruising at 24-2,before Leigh mounted an impressive though to late fightback, Rovers win 24-18.
And in perhaps the result of the day, Castleford destroy Leeds at Leeds winning 40-16.
The other games, Hull FC cruise through at Sheffield 58-12. And St Helens win at Whitehaven 46-4.

The quarter final draw is.

Hull KR v Castleford.
Catalan v St Helens.
Warrington/Wakefield v Wigan.
Barrow/Huddersfield v Hull FC.

Tie of the round definitely Catalan/Saints.


And in the opening game of League 1.
Hunslet win at London Skolars 28-10.

Leeds??? Something is very wrong there. Austin, Sezer, Bentley, Newman, Oledski, Rhyse Martin, Leeming, Prior etc. a strong squad on paper but mis-firing horribly, I am really surprised.

Huddersfield complete the Challenge Cup QF line up by beating Barrow, the latter doing their reputation no harm.

In the Championship Halifax are back to winning ways beating Workington.

League 1, Keightley with an excellent win at Oldham, pre-season favourites Swinton hammer West Wales.

And Wakefield for the 2nd week in a row get a win at Warrington. This time in the challenge cup.

League 1, agree that's a great result for Keighley. Hunslet win at London Skolars. And in another great result North Wales win at Rochdale. Doncaster beat midlands.

The Beast wrote:Leeds???  Something is very wrong there.  Austin, Sezer, Bentley, Newman, Oledski, Rhyse Martin, Leeming, Prior etc.  a strong squad on paper but mis-firing horribly, I am really surprised.

Agree there's something really wrong, almost like they don't know what to do know they're not winning trophies.
But I think some of the players are rated higher than what they should be. Austin has really been average for both teams. And very greedy near the opposition 20. Sezer is defensively weak, and I don't understand the hype of Newman & Leeming.

Wigan beat Hull FC 19-18, in an uninspiring game really to go top of the league, till Saints play anyway.

Terrific game last night between Wigan and Hull.
Many more like that and the grounds will be packed

Last night games.

Great result for Huddersfield who beat Catalans 28-12. And continuing there great start to the season.
Castleford beat Toulouse 32-6. Leeds lose at home to St Helens 26-0 (not a bad result for Leeds as i was expecting 50 for Saints).
And Hull KR put in there best performance so far (Without Abdul playing),easing to a 34-18 win v Warrington acter a devastating opening quarter.

In the Championship, Leigh stuff Dewsbury 44-0.

Luke wrote:Last night games.

Great result for Huddersfield who beat Catalans 28-12. And continuing there great start to the season.
Castleford beat Toulouse 32-6. Leeds lose at home to St Helens 26-0 (not a bad result for Leeds as i was expecting 50 for Saints).
And Hull KR put in there best performance so far (Without Abdul playing),easing to a 34-18 win v Warrington acter a devastating opening quarter.

In the Championship,  Leigh stuff Dewsbury 44-0.

The Giants are my dark horses to win either the Challenge cup final or the Grand Final

Cornwall's first game ends in defeat to North Wales Crusaders.

Today;

Wakefield continue their fine run of form, Salford the victims. 4 or 5 wins in a row.

Championship

Fax come from 14 points down to eventually over-run Whitehaven
York finish strongly be beat Workington 44 - 18
Featherstone continue their unbeaten record turning Sheffield over 44 - 18, Mark Kheirallah making his debut.
Batley take an impressive win at Barrow,
Bradford scrape past London

Its going to be a tough season for Cornwall, as they have be3n slightly hamstrung by being let in so late, so having to find a side after everyone else really.

Workington also look down, though early they're not looking like winning a game.

Also in league 1,
Swinbton cpntinue there free scoring ways winning 54-16 at Midlands. Keighlwy get another impressive win beating Doncaster 26 -6, and Hunslet and Oldham draw 22 all.

And the final result, sees Newcastle beat Widnes 12-6 in the championship.

Next week no SL games, as the challenge cup again takes over. The 2 BBC game's are Catalans/St Helens (should be a good game) on Saturday, and Wakefield/Wigan on sunday. The other 2 games (Hull KR/Castleford Fri, Huddersfield/Hull fc Sat are on premier sports).

Theres also the first 1895 cup sf (the 1895 cup, is a cup for the 4 futherest CHAMPIONSHIP/league 1 sides, and the final is on the same day as the challenge cup final).
1 Championship as Bradford face Barrow in a rearranged game from whwn the storms where happening earlier in the season.
And a full league 1, where again the focus will be on Cornwall who play there 1st home game.

Luke wrote:Its going to be a tough season for Cornwall, as they have be3n slightly hamstrung by being let in so late, so having to find a side after everyone else really.

Workington also look down, though early they're not looking like winning a game.

Also in league 1,
Swinbton cpntinue there free scoring ways winning 54-16 at Midlands. Keighlwy get another impressive win beating Doncaster 26 -6, and Hunslet and Oldham draw 22 all.

Cornwall will improve week on week

So the 1st of this season's challenge cup semi finalists are known.
As Hull KR beat Castleford 34-10. In what was an exciting game and fairly evrn for most of it. Rovers ran away with it in the last quarter.

2 more semi finalists in the challenge cup are known.

As St Helens win in france, beating Catalans 36-20, and Huddersfield beat Hull FC 24-16.

In the 1895 cup,
Sheffield beat Whitehaven quite convincingly 40-6.

And in league 1.
North Wales continue there excellent start, winning at London Skolars 54-6.

And the final challenge cup semi finalists are known.
As Wigan dominate a fairly average Wakefield away to win 36-6.

The semi final draw, sees Huddersfield v Hull KR, and without doubt the big one Wigan v St Helens. Both games will be played at Elland Road on Saturday 7th May, one after the other.

In the Championship rearranged game see's Barrow return to winning ways, winning at Bradford by a point 23-22.

Unfortunately, all games in League 1 were fairly one sided.
Cornwall's first home game in the league, ends with another big defeat. This time to Midlands 60-14. Swinton continue there free scoring ways, winning 64-22 at Doncaster. Rochdale claim a big win, against a Hunslet side hoping to get into the play offs 44-20.
Buy the result that srands out, for all the wrong reasons see Oldham beat West Wales 100 -4. Meaning West Wales in there 4 games so far (1 challenge cup, 3 League), have conceded over 300 point's. And look even futher from a win (the last one over 2 1/2 season's ago), then ever.

The 1st trophy of the 2022 seaspn has been won.

Sydney Roosters women beat St George Illawarra Women 16-4, to win the NRL women's premiership (there firat ever).

Congratulations to them.

The good news regarding Cornwall is that close on 1,500 watched there 1st game. Which is brilliant.

This week is strange, with games spread out as SL has games on Thursday and Friday (only the sky games on Friday, which is annoying especially as Rovers then go to France). And bank holiday Monday, meanwhile the championship mostly play friday, and leagie 1 over the weekend.
But on the flip side, the 1st part of the weekend is fantastic as it's derbies. So on Thursday we see the 1st ever French derby in SL, on Friday theres the Hull derby as well as Saints/wigan. And in the championship Bradford/Halifax and the heavy wollen derby (Batley/Dewsbury). And pm Sunday sees the Whitehaven/Workington derby on premier. Hopefully the sun will be out, and some big crowds for some exciting rugby league.
And Monday see's some big games, as Cas/Leeds, Saints travel to a rejuvinated Huddersfield as well as other's.

Luke wrote:And the final challenge cup semi finalists are known.
As Wigan dominate a fairly average Wakefield away to win 36-6.

The semi final draw, sees Huddersfield v Hull KR, and without doubt the big one Wigan v St Helens.  Both games will be played at Elland Road on Saturday 7th May, one after the other.

In the Championship rearranged game see's Barrow return to winning ways, winning at Bradford by a point 23-22.

Unfortunately,  all games in League 1 were fairly one sided.
Cornwall's first home game in the league, ends with another big defeat. This time to Midlands 60-14. Swinton continue there free scoring ways,  winning 64-22 at Doncaster. Rochdale claim a big win, against a Hunslet side hoping to get into the play offs 44-20.
Buy the result that srands out, for all the wrong reasons see Oldham beat West Wales 100 -4. Meaning West Wales in there 4 games so far (1 challenge cup, 3 League), have conceded over 300 point's.  And look even futher from a win (the last one over 2 1/2 season's ago), then ever.

I wouldn't be surprised if either the Giants or the Robins were to win the challenge cup. There I've said it

Think it depends on who wins the other semi. I wouldnt be suprised if Rovers or Huddersfield win it, but also wouldnt be if they got stuffed.

So today sees the start if the easter rugby bonanza.

Castleford continue there dominance over near neighbours Wakefield. Winning 34 -4 there (i think its like 10 games in a row Cas have now won against Wakefield).
In the firat ever French derby in the English rugby keagues. Catalans win 18-10.
Leeds and Huddersfield draw 20-20, and Warrington get back to winning ways after a string of defeats, beating Salford 32-18.

So the good friday rugby.

In SL.
Hull KR beat those black and white b*****ds (Hull FC) 16-4, in an intense, exciting but lacking in quality derby. St Helens continue there dominance over near neighbours Wakefield Wigan recently with a 22-4 win.

In the Championship.
The heavy wollen derby goes the way of Batley, who beat Dewsbury 36-20. In the west Yorkshire derby Bradford poor forms continues, as they lose to Halifax 17-20. Leigh gain a comfortable win at Widnes 36-6. And in a slightly suprising scoreline Featherstone beat Bartow 58-6. Surprising not that Featherstone won, but the scoreline and one sided nature of the game.

In League 1.

Keighley continue there excellent start to the season, getting a good away win at Hunslet 20-16. And Rochdale beat Oldham 34-18.

Sam Powell has not heard the last of that crusher tackle, that I will put money on (and I am tight)

Featherstone & Leigh are miles and miles ahead of everyone else in the Championship, both further adding to their squads recently.

Just a few games yesterday.

In thr championship.
Sheffield beat London Broncos 30-10, and York beat Newcastle 38-6.

And in League 1.

Doncaster beat Cornwall 52-16.

Championship;

Whitehaven win the Cumbrian Derby 22 - 14 v Workington

League One;

Midland Hurricanes continue their solid start to the season beating London Skolars.

North Wales Crusaders an excellent win at Swinton.

Got to admit, really didnt think North Wales would be doing as good as they are, and like you say that's a fantastic result today at Swinton.

And unfortunately Workington already look like there foing to be back in league 1 next year.

So the easter monday SL games.

St Helens continue there excellent start to the season, following up Friday's win, by beating Huddersfield 24-12 in Huddersfield. Wigan get a big win against an out of sorts Wakefield 54-10. Catalans also keep there pursuit winning at Salford 36-10. Hull fc put there good friday derby defeat behind them as they beat Warrington 18-16. And the two games affecting the bottom. Castleford beat Leeds 16-14 (its been a good easter for Cas), and Toulouse again put in a decent performance, but ultimately lose at home to Hull KR 28-24.

So after easter the Sl top looks like.

St Helens top with 16, followed by Catalans and Wigan 2 points behind. Then come Huddersfield 3 points back, then bottom of the play offs sees both Hull FC, and Hull KR on 10.
The bottom is atill Toulouse with 2, but the team just above them is Leeds, a point better off.

And the big game this week, us Leeds v Toulouse on Friday.

The Championship table is.

Featherstone are top with 15 points, a point behind are Leigh. York are 3rd with 12, Barrow are a point behind them, then come Batley and Sheffield with 9 & 8 points respectively.
At the bottom, Workington are still bottom with 0 points, with London Broncos in the last relegation place with 1. Then just above is Dewsbury with 2.

And rhis week sees Workington travel to Dewsbury really needing at least a point.

In league 1 (top goes straight up, next 5 in the promotion play off no relegation).

North Wales are top, after a perfect start.
In the play offs are in order.
Swinton, Rochdale, Keighley, Foncaster and midlands.

The big game this week in my opinion is Keighley/Swinton.


And the current NRL table (8 play offs with a slightly converluted method in my opinion).
The play off positions are.

Penrith (undefeated), Melbourne, Cronulla, Parramatta, Sydney Roosters, Manly, North Queensland & South Sydney.

Current wooden spoonists are West Tigers.

So tonights games.

Leeds win the big one 25-14. Putting distance between themselves and opponent's Toulouse.
Castleford beat the St Helens reserves 30-10.

And in the championship Sheffield continue there good start to the season, beating Newcastle 34-20.

Good 32 - 10 wins for Hull KR (Wakey) and perhaps in particular Warrington over Huddersfield.

League 1 had wins for Rochdale at London Skolars. Doncaster were awarded at 48 - 0 win v West Wales who were unable to host the fixture.

6 in a row for Hull KR (alright 2 where challenge cup ties), but its a good time to hit form.

So with 1 game left to be played today (Hull FC/Catalans).
Here are the rest of todays results.

In SL,
Wigan win a tight one beating Salford at home 30-24.

In the championship.
Leigh get a big win v London Broncos 64-0 (like Beast says, them and Featherstone are a class above).
Halifax get a goid win against a Barrow side that is running out of legs abit 40-18. York get another home win (obviously liking the new stadium), beating Whitehaven 30-12. But the result of the day is probably Batley, who get an excellent win at Widnes 10-38, to continue there resurgence of recent weeks. In the battle at the bottom Dewsbury just beat Workington 19-18, putting some breathing space between them and the bottom 2.

In League 1,
North Wales keep up there 100% record, beating Midlands in a tight game 22-18.
The other unbeaten record (they've played a game less), belongs to Keighley who win a surprisingly one sided game in scoreline v Swinton 30-0.
And though Oldham won 48-22, massive praise goes to Cornwall. Who for the first time kept there opponent's to under 50 for the first time,and to score should a good attack as well.

And in the late game.


Hull FC beat Catalans 14-8, in a uninspiring game.

Hull FC/Catalans winning the strange k.o. time of the season 6:45pm on a Sunday???? Sky presumably but odd IMO.

In the Championship tonight Fev beat Bradford at Odsal. Pretty well as predicted by Luke, big improvement by the Bulls, but they started to struggle a bit after the hour, Jacks, Khreirallah, Sene-Lefao et al taking advantage 18 -32.

Huddersfield win the Thursday night game at Wakefield 14-12.

The big game from tonight.

See's Wigan win at Warrington for the first time in 5 years 40-22. St Helens narrowly beat Salford 14-10. Catalans make up for last week's none show by beating Castleford 44-12. And in the game i was at, a poor Leeds beat an even worse Hull KR 12-0.

In the Championship,
Leigh beat Sheffield 34-6.

Today saw Championship & League 1 games.

Featherstone hammer Widnes 74 - 6
Batley beat Workington
London win a crucial relegation "decider" v Dewsbury
Bradford survive a late scare/15 minutes of complete madness to win at Whitehaven

I am not knocking Fev or Leigh, good luck to them however rumours have both still to announce significant signings even with Leigh confirming Blake Ferguson. It is however becoming horribly unbalanced, a real shame.

League 1

Rochdale win comfortably at Cornwall
North Wales hammer West Wales
Keighley nearly hit 100 v London Skolars
Hunslet narrowly win at the Midlands Hurricanes
Doncaster win a key game v Oldham

The last SL game happened on Saturday.

And saw Hull FC indlict Toulouse's worst defeat of the season so far 48-12.

Agree Beast, the Championship has lost it's sparkle. As those 2 sides are just running it, and it's not fun to see. Yes they could lose in the play offs, but at the rate its going they could put out reserve sides that would be in the play offs. And that was the fun, yes there was always a predominant side (like Rovers 2017), but they could lose and where regularly run close and it was fun with other sides also being good. This year, doesn't matter who's in the play offs, as anything other than these 2 in the grand final would be a massive shock.

League 1 is the same, the top 7 clubs, and the rest who just get stuffed eveey week.

In the final game of the weekend.

York continue there form, getting a good away win at Barrow 30-18.

Next weekend there is only league 1 games. As the challenge cup takes center stage, with the woman's final, and both semi finals from Elland Rd. And all being shown on the BBC. For those tempted to watch, the better game is the 1st (Wigan/Saints at 2,30), the more intriguing is the 2nd (Hull KR/Huddersfield 5.00pm). The women's final will be at 12.30.

And on the sunday is the 1895 cup semi-finals, hopefully a shock will happen and it wont be Featherstone/Leigh final.But cant see it.

Luke wrote:Huddersfield win the Thursday night game at Wakefield 14-12.

I think Wakefield are in a relegation battle with Toulouse

St Helens women win the challenge cup 18-8 against Leeds. Coming back to win a good final.

2022 ROLL OF HONOUR.



Sydney Roosters women - Women's NRL premiership

St Helens Women - Women's challenge cup.

Got to the ground just in time for the 2nd half of Wigan/Saints. So no idea what happened in the 1st. But Saints bullyed them in the 2nd, fully deserved to win it. But The try that won it for Wigan was special. And its Wigan at Tottenham stadium for the final winning 20-18.

Well i was wrong.

This semi final isn't intriguing. Rovers are terrible.

This years challenge cup final will be between Wigan and Huddersfield.

Who fully deserved there 25-4 win against a poor Hull KR.

The league 1 results from today.

Rochdale beat Midlands 44-24. And well done West Wales, they didn't win but at least Keighley to under 50. Keighley winning 46-4 in Wales.

Luke wrote:Got to the ground just in time for the 2nd half of Wigan/Saints. So no idea what happened in the 1st. But Saints bullyed them in the 2nd, fully deserved to win it. But The try that won it for Wigan was special.  And its Wigan at Tottenham stadium for the final winning 20-18.

Taking into account the first half i think Wigan just shaded it