Round 2 ESL Results

[Azkatro]

http://rugbyleagueproject.com/matches/Super_League_2006/Round_2/

St. Helens lead the comp with a points differential of +60, Jamie Lyon having raced away as leading pointscorer with 28. Hull's Kirk Yeaman leads the tryscorers with 5. Salford off to a good start also having conceded just 6 points to date.

 

[bartman]

Good performance from Harlequins, was a real surprise in an away fixture... and for periods they were dominant over Bradford. Hopkins try was one of his best, and they were a bit unlucky that it all wasn't enough to get them the shock win.

They'll be demanding swab tests if Salford's good form continues, they've shown a lot of improvement since last season.

 

[bartman]

Match results and scorers etc can also usually be found here on the main site...

Wigan Warriors 16 v Leeds Rhinos 24, Att: 17,281
St Helens 44 v Castleford Tigers 8, Att: 13,528
Salford City Reds 16 v Catalans Dragons 0, Att: 4,660
Bradford Bulls 18 v Harlequins RL 18, Att: 11,097
Huddersfield Giants 26 v Warrington Wolves 20, Att: 8,104
Hull FC 40 v Wakefield Wildcats 14, Att: 11,860

Simon is writing a quick review of each game in his news article, this week's is here:
http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.asp?ID=9773

(You can also see the try scorer details for individual games if you go to http://www.leagueunlimited.com/team.asp?ID=ESL, select your club and then the menu option Season 2006.)

 

[coldhardbitch]

Good effort by Wakefield.....Struggle street already.

 

[JasonE]

Good performance from Harlequins, was a real surprise in an away fixture... and for periods they were dominant over Bradford. Hopkins try was one of his best, and they were a bit unlucky that it all wasn't enough to get them the shock win.

And they did it without 3 or 4 key players so if they can get everyone healthy they could go ok this year.

 

[Weasels Ripped My Flesh]

Good effort by Wakefield.....Struggle street already.

Don't you worry, we'll be back!

 

[ali]

Match results and scorers etc can also usually be found here on the main site...

Wigan Warriors 16 v Leeds Rhinos 24, Att: 17,281
St Helens 44 v Castleford Tigers 8, Att: 13,528
Salford City Reds 16 v Catalans Dragons 0, Att: 4,660
Bradford Bulls 18 v Harlequins RL 18, Att: 11,097
Huddersfield Giants 26 v Warrington Wolves 20, Att: 8,104
Hull FC 40 v Wakefield Wildcats 14, Att: 11,860

Simon is writing a quick review of each game in his news article, this week's is here:
http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.asp?ID=9773

(You can also see the try scorer details for individual games if you go to http://www.leagueunlimited.com/team.asp?ID=ESL, select your club and then the menu option Season 2006.)

I'm not too surprised by the results. I was surprised how many people were tipping Salford for the drop, and I think Hudds have a decent squad. Quins drawing with Bradford also doesn't surprise me, considering Vainikolo was out. I think Maybe Wakey will go down. Cas has a good looking pack, so when they get organised, they should be able to graft out a few results.

After watching Wigan vs Cats this arvo, I'm a little concerned by Wigan's halves. I'm not sure they can win the comp. I liked the way Les Catalans played, but I'm concerned one or 2 guys aren't quite up to Super League standard. Rinaldi was great in the second half, so I'm now less concerned by the loss of Jones. The fitness and loose cannoness of their pack concerns me a little. There's a couple of nut jobs in that pack who have spent a fair bit of time under suspension.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

I'm not too surprised by the results. I was surprised how many people were tipping Salford for the drop, and I think Hudds have a decent squad. Quins drawing with Bradford also doesn't surprise me, considering Vainikolo was out. I think Maybe Wakey will go down. Cas has a good looking pack, so when they get organised, they should be able to graft out a few results.

After watching Wigan vs Cats this arvo, I'm a little concerned by Wigan's halves. I'm not sure they can win the comp. I liked the way Les Catalans played, but I'm concerned one or 2 guys aren't quite up to Super League standard. Rinaldi was great in the second half, so I'm now less concerned by the loss of Jones. The fitness and loose cannoness of their pack concerns me a little. There's a couple of nut jobs in that pack who have spent a fair bit of time under suspension.

I was surprised at how strong Cas's pack is. Nutley, Ward, Sculthorpe, Mason, Fa'aoso, Manu, Roarty etc is not bad. Plus they have some handy outside backs in Viane and McGoldrick. They just lack creative players in the halves and at fullback, lock or hooker. They have a young half, a centre at 5/8, an inexperienced hooker at SL level and a solid but not creative fullback. I think they can win a few games though, maybe enough to stay up.

I'd like to see Wakey before judging them but I'd be surprised if they don't beat some good teams like they've done in the past two years while Salford and Huddersfield really do look better than in the past. It will be an interesting battle at the bottom.

I also now doubt Wigan can win it. They have a lot of very young players. Danny Orr seems to be way past his best and I don't think Radlinksi will add much when he returns. O'Laughlin is a good player and a good choice as skipper but I don't think he's quite filled Andy Farrell's boots just yet. Say what you like about Faz he was very important to Wigan.

The thug element is a worry at Catalans. Chan, Beattie and to a lesser extent Guisset, Fakir and the other French forwards could spend a few weeks on the sidelines if they play in an aggressive or careless way, but there are plenty of other clubs with just as many loose cannons.

 

[JasonE]

I was surprised at how strong Cas's pack is. Nutley, Ward, Sculthorpe, Mason, Fa'aoso, Manu, Roarty etc is not bad. Plus they have some handy outside backs in Viane and McGoldrick. They just lack creative players in the halves and at fullback, lock or hooker. They have a young half, a centre at 5/8, an inexperienced hooker at SL level and a solid but not creative fullback. I think they can win a few games though, maybe enough to stay up.

I'd like to see Wakey before judging them but I'd be surprised if they don't beat some good teams like they've done in the past two years while Salford and Huddersfield really do look better than in the past. It will be an interesting battle at the bottom.

I also now doubt Wigan can win it. They have a lot of very young players. Danny Orr seems to be way past his best and I don't think Radlinksi will add much when he returns. O'Laughlin is a good player and a good choice as skipper but I don't think he's quite filled Andy Farrell's boots just yet. Say what you like about Faz he was very important to Wigan.

The thug element is a worry at Catalans. Chan, Beattie and to a lesser extent Guisset, Fakir and the other French forwards could spend a few weeks on the sidelines if they play in an aggressive or careless way, but there are plenty of other clubs with just as many loose cannons.

Good constructive comments guys.
My thoughts on Wigan are if they can get everyone on deck they can go close to winning SL, but my biggest concerns are Seu Seu and Vaealiki, i've never seen two players who have become so poor in such a short space of time, also the only way I would use Moran could be as an impact player off the bench as he dosen't have the organisational skills to control a game.
This would be my team
1. Kris Radlinski
2. Pat Richards - has to be on the wing, not a centre
3. Chris Ashton - best player this season, a natural centre
4. Daryl Goulding - only 17 but is well developed and a superb prospect
5. Mark Calderwood - much better than Dallas
6. Kevin Brown - Wigan fans don't like him but he hasn't had a chance to play his best position yet, he just needs the opportunity.
7. Danny Orr - he can get back to his old form at #7
13. Sean O'Loughlin
12. Gareth Hock
11. Harrison Hansen
10. Scott Logan
9. Wayne Godwin
8. Bryan Fletcher

14. Jerry Seu Seu 15. Iafeta Paleasena 16. Mick Higham 17.Danny Tickle

 

[Padds]

Good constructive comments guys.
My thoughts on Wigan are if they can get everyone on deck they can go close to winning SL, but my biggest concerns are Seu Seu and Vaealiki, i've never seen two players who have become so poor in such a short space of time, also the only way I would use Moran could be as an impact player off the bench as he dosen't have the organisational skills to control a game.
This would be my team
1. Kris Radlinski
2. Pat Richards - has to be on the wing, not a centre
3. Chris Ashton - best player this season, a natural centre
4. Daryl Goulding - only 17 but is well developed and a superb prospect
5. Mark Calderwood - much better than Dallas
6. Kevin Brown - Wigan fans don't like him but he hasn't had a chance to play his best position yet, he just needs the opportunity.
7. Danny Orr - he can get back to his old form at #7
13. Sean O'Loughlin
12. Gareth Hock
11. Harrison Hansen
10. Scott Logan
9. Wayne Godwin
8. Bryan Fletcher

14. Jerry Seu Seu 15. Iafeta Paleasena 16. Mick Higham 17.Danny Tickle

Problem is, mate, the same as last year, injuries. Radders, Fletcher and Hock aready injured and Millward has his favourites. He doesnt seem to want to play Kev at 6 and uses him off the bench, which is not working.