Round 22 unfolding...

[bartman]

Harlequins get the win over Hull...

Winning streak over, probably best to get that monkey off their back now? If teams that make 5th or 6th place are ones capable of upsets like this, could be quite likely that there's a surprise or two during the play-offs.

Bradford over coachless Wakefield

Quite possible if Wigan beat Warrington that Wakefield will be 4 points behind for relegation at the bottom, with six games to go. But they'll need more than a super coach to get them out of that predicament.

St Helens over Leeds

Saints probably sew up top place on ladder. Ideal chance for them now to properly prepare for the play-offs and not get knocked out this year.

Catalans leading Salford

18-0 up at half time...

 

[JasonE]

Bart
what was the Leeds/ Saints game like ?

 

[bartman]

Definitely worth a watch Jason, first half was a good exciting back and forth contest, but second half a bit wet and dour. Full house there, and a few decisions that fans will debate after such a close struggle.

Salford's loss now means they might be in a spot of bother, with Castleford or Huddersfield going to get within one or two points of sixth spot after tomorrow.

 

[Corbin]

does anyone know how Henry Paul went at fullback for the Quins?
Also, has he made any decision about his Rep future?

 

[Lowey3]

St Helens where awesome!!!

Jamie Lyon sent off after 66 minutes, yet we still kept Leeds pointless in the second half.

Take a bow lads.

 

[bartman]

Yes Lowey, they dug in when they had to, and without Sean Long.

Corbin that game wasn't televised, but going from the report Henry played at loose forward, McLinden played at fullback scoring 3 tries. In terms of rep career, if he didn't get a game in the match v GB recently, I find it hard to believe he'll be given a ticket down for the Tri-Nations?

 

[Corbin]

well its been reported that he wasnt sure yet, but with Benji out, im CERTAIN hes a definite for the Tri-Nations with NZ.

Would make a mockery of the International game if he played for GB.

btw, If Seu Seu retiring at season end and is Michael De Vere leaving the Giants?

 

[Weasels Ripped My Flesh]

Goodbye Wakey

 

[bartman]

Would make a mockery of the International game if he played for GB.

I've only ever considered Henry a possibility for NZ, surely in league he needs to stick with his prior allegiance?

Seu Seu has retired already, as part of the salary cap implications when Stuart Fielden went to Wigan mid-season.

Haven't heard of De Vere leaving, but if he came over on one of the then popular two year visas, then his time might be up and he might well head home instead of going through the process of getting a different visa to stay any longer.

 

[bartman]

Goodbye Wakey

Yeah, feeling for you there WRMF. Though Warrington beating Wigan today keeps things interesting.

The respective runs home:

Wigan (14 points):
Catalans (H)
Leeds (A)
Huddersfield (H)
Bradford (H)
Harlequins (A)
Hull (H)

Wakefield (12 points):
Castleford (A)
Catalans (H)
Leeds (H)
St Helens (A)
Bradford (A)
Castleford (H)

Still possible for Wakefield, just have to play each week as it comes and hope for Wigan to slip up again, bit hard though without a coach.

 

[Evil Homer]

It's pretty certain De Vere is going at the end of the season.A shame - because he's playing well at the moment.

I feel it was curtains for Wakey last week - losing a 20-0 lead after 60 minutes must have really hit the morale hard.

 

[pmarrow]

Henry Paul hasn't done anything to make me wish Hull had signed him.

Been mentioned in the same sentence as International honours is just a complete joke.

 

[Ryan]

Why was Lyon sent off?

 

[Lowey3]

Why was Lyon sent off?

Elbow on the kicker.

He was a little unlucky cus it looked far worse than what it was.. you see it was Rob Burruws he hit, one of only a few players that would look good on a soccer pitch (for his over-reacting).

 

[Evil Homer]

Why was Lyon sent off?

Took Rob Burrows out after he'd kicked the ball.It wasn't too late a challenge,but there looked to elbows raised - he deserved to go IMO.

Interestingly there were two sending-offs this round - there'd only been three previous in the entire season.

 

[Ryan]

My three year old son dead set would stand over Burrow. If Lyon went in for a standard tackle on any other player it's fine, because it is Burrow it automatically is a head shot on that bloke !!!

 

[bartman]

My guess is a 200 pound fine and a week off? More for the lateness than the elbow (wasn't truly cocked).

Dany Sculthorpe's up for a high tackle, and Danny Brough for dissent - didn't see either but possibly both will escape with fines, otherwise Cas might do it tough next game.

 

[terracesider]

If the RFL runs true to form, Lyons will get sending off sufficient.

 

[warrington greg]

he deserved to go for 10. i dont think it was to bad.

 

[bartman]

If the RFL runs true to form, Lyons will get sending off sufficient.

Spot on. Didn't expect Brough to cop two weeks though... must've said some choice words?