first:utility Super League XIX - Round 1

[Harrigan]

So, we're back (well, I know technically we were back on Friday but Leeds didn't play so it didn't count ;-) ) and the new season is upon us. It's time to see who has improved enough to make a charge on the top 8 and who will drop off the radar and into Championship football next season.

With one Round 1 game (Wig-Hud) already completed, the rest of the round plays out like this. I've also added the radio link this season for anyone who wishes to listen to the games:

Thursday 13th Feb
Warrington v St Helens - 8pm (7am AEST) - Sky Sports 1HD (Eurosport Au) Wish FM

Friday 14th Feb
Hull FC v Catalan - 8pm (7am AEST) - Sky Sports 1HD (Eurosport Au) BBC Humberside

Sunday 16th Feb
Widnes v London - 3pm (2am AEST) BBC Mersyside
Hull KR v Leeds - 3pm (2am AEST) BBC Humberside
Salford v Wakefield - 3pm (2am AEST) BBC Manchester
Bradford v Castleford - 3pm (2am AEST) BCB Radio

Already completed Round 1 game:

Friday 7th Feb
Wigan 8-24 Huddersfield - 16,240

Predictions:

Warrington 18-26 St Helens
Hull FC 14-34 Catalan
Widnes 38-18 London
Hull KR 18-30 Leeds
Salford 32-10 Wakefield
Bradford 10-40 Castleford

There is also a WCC Warm up game being played this week:

Wednesday 12th Feb
NZ Warriors v Wigan - 6:35am (5:35pm AEST) - Wigan TV (Fox Sports 1/SkySport NZ)

 

[CC_Roosters]

Winners

Saints
Catalans
Widnes
Hull kr
Salford
Bradford

I am tipping the upset for rovers this week

 

[Harrigan]

Winners

Saints
Catalans
Widnes
Hull kr
Salford
Bradford

I am tipping the upset for rovers this week

I'd say the Bulls beating Cas would be a bigger upset. They are in a bad position right now with Carvell and Gale walking out on the club at the last minute. The players have been asked to take a 20% pay cut and the squad is pretty weak as it is. Morale must be low and these guys played each other last week in a trial game (full teams) and Cas won 66-10.

Id be shocked if the Bulls can turn that around in 2 weeks.

 

[deal.with.it]

Warrington
Catalan
Widnes
Leeds
Salford
Castleford

 

[Southern Rooster]

Warrington
Catalan
Widnes
Leeds
Salford
Castleford

Important game for Widnes. Have to beat London and get a good start. Warrington and St Helens will be a great game. As a Widnes fan I should be all over St Helens but as someone whom is friends with the Monaghans family I am tipping Wire to win.

 

[JasonE]

Thursday 13th Feb
Warrington v St Helens - St Helens

Friday 14th Feb
Hull FC v Catalan - Catalan

Sunday 16th Feb
Widnes v London - Widnes
Hull KR v Leeds - Hull KR
Salford v Wakefield - Salford
Bradford v Castleford - Castleford

Salford are my special of the week.

 

[Harrigan]

Wigan v Huddersfield Highlights from Friday night

 

[WireMan]

Oh well,

Another early loss to saints, same as every year.
A few positives.

1) After Bowen highlighted the new rule about high shots being a mere pen last week, saints confirmed it this week. Hopefully we can get trained up on this.
2) new rules this week are double movements are now fine for tries and the offside line is now set at about 6 meters,. If these laws are reffed as consistency as the new high shots law it is something we should work on.
3) M Monaghan demonstrated he should never play in the halves, never. At least we settled this early.

An especially big thanks to Stevo. Cleaning out my attic last weekend I found a CD I had not heard for a while. Well 27 seconds into the game Stevo started with his utter dross, so telly on mute and I got to rock out a bit. Made losing a bit easier.

 

[deal.with.it]

I tuned in this morning for the match.

I'm not a wire or saints fan, so I carry no bias.

Monaghan was useless at halfback.

Myler didn't do much. Didn't take the line on, and only really put in one good grubber kick.

The ref should have got both sides back another couple of meters.

The highshots weren't that bad. Definitely not send off material. By the third saints high shot, it could have been a sin bin.

I didn't think the commentators were that bad.

Luke Walsh played a good passing and kicking game. He had to make a lot of tackles too. He didn't take the line on though, which is his biggest downfall. I hope he can start to run the ball for saints.

Saints defended much better.

 

[deluded pom?]

Don't forget to tune in to Radio Humberside if you can for some expert insight and unbiased commentary.

 

[deal.with.it]

online stream?

 

[deluded pom?]

If you get to see this game look out for the nasty trick from Elima on Heremaia.

 

[Patorick]

I'd say the Bulls beating Cas would be a bigger upset. They are in a bad position right now with Carvell and Gale walking out on the club at the last minute. The players have been asked to take a 20% pay cut and the squad is pretty weak as it is. Morale must be low and these guys played each other last week in a trial game (full teams) and Cas won 66-10.

Id be shocked if the Bulls can turn that around in 2 weeks.

Thought he re-signed.

 

[deal.with.it]

Sammut has walked out too

 

[deluded pom?]

Sammut has walked out too

He's signed for Wakefield.

 

[Harrigan]

Scores after 30 mins:

Bradford 6-0 Castleford
Hull KR 6-6 Leeds
Salford 6-0 Wakefield
Widnes 24-6 London

 

[Harrigan]

Thought he re-signed.

He did after I posted that. I have been told that Scruton wants out too though.

 

[Harrigan]

Half Time Scores:

Bulls 6-6 Castleford
Salford 18-0 Wakefield
Hull KR 6-6 Leeds
Widnes 30-6 London

 

[Harrigan]

Record crowd at Hull KR

11,526

 

[Harrigan]

Scores after 50 mins:

Bradford 18-18 Castleford
Hull KR 6-14 Leeds
Salford 18-0 Wakefield
Widnes 40-6 London