Episode 12 Super League Show

Hello. We are back on the road to Wembley this week. 16 teams had

dreams of Challenge Cup glory, but only half are still standing. There

was a heavyweight contest in round five and a few teams who were hoping

to spring a surprise! One of the mighty has fallen, but

was it over and out for Leeds or St Helens at Headingley?

Don't ster are dreaming of German chancellor xwri, did they gdt a

Challenge Cup wake`up call `t Warrington? The Championship's

finest go head`to`head as Ldigh take on Featherstone.

Matty Smith was Man of the Latch in last year's Challenge Cup Fhnal at

Wembley. He's with Sheffield's Andrew Henderson to guide us through

the highs and lows of the Ctp weekend. The undoubted tie of the

round brought together Leeds and St Helens. This was the Super League

leaders against the team thdy replaced at the top of the table

over Easter. Dave Woods, Jonathan Davies, and Brian Noble werd

commentating. It is a little wide. The Kiwi has

taken it inside that 20 metdrs. Leeds are less than ten yards away

and Sinfield operating from dummy`half.

He has got the ball down. The referee is just checking.

REFEREE: OK, we're looking for obstruction. All of those occasions

the ball is passed before it happens. I'm just making sure that

the player grounds the ball cleanly. From that angle it looks like he

does. Leeds have the opening try.

There is support from Swift. Swift is running away from Watkins. Swift

will score and St Helen's are back in it again. It is a great ball It

is a great line. They need Swift to get on the end.

To Hall again. It is a terrific Leeds try.

Hall is on the rampage. The referee says play on.

A good tackle in the end. Great defence.

Leeds right through the middle. I thought he should have gone left.

They don't panic. They realhse that the defence is scattered and they

just go down the left`hand side Again, it is Josh Jones. St Helen's

got the creativity to find ` way through?

They have found a way through. They have found a way back. Such a simple

try. It is a late, late ball to Josh Jones and the gap just opens up for

him. Leeds are through to the

quarterfinals of the Challenge Cup. St Helen's are beaten.

Maguire finishes the play hd started. Sinfield. Peacock. He grabs

it. Jamie Peacock. It is his penultimate year. He will bd hoping

it will be a Wembley crescendo to 2014. He certainly got the crescendo

this afternoon. Strength. Hd saw a gap. He wasn't going to be denied.

He carried the ball really strong today. There is the finish. How

impressed were you by Leeds? They impressed. They are the inform side

of the competition. I thought Saints were off the pace. They had a tough

Easter period, but they werdn't at the races on Saturday and they came

up against a Leeds side who were really on form and I think dveryone

stood up Leeds. It was a re`lly good team performance. Saints ard

wobbling a bit. That's thred defeats in a row? Yes, unfortunatelx for

them. They had a fantastic start to the year and it is disappointing

they had a couple of losses. Let's be honest, this Leeds team, it is

the best start to a season Leeds had in a number of years. The b`ck three

and the back five, they are unbelievable at the moment. They are

scoring tries from back field. They are attack `` their attacking

prowess is phenomenal. They are conceding on average 10 to 02 points

a game. That's phenomenal. Xou have got to take hats off, it is a red

hot Leeds team. Any team th`t will face them will be in troubld.

Saints against you, three thmes in our games, made the mistake from the

kick`off, from the point of a view of a team that's facing thel, how

much lift does that give yot? For us, when they made that mass take.

It gives you `` mistake, it gives you a lift. You get the chance to

attack their line in the first set, it gives you a bit of a lift. I

think we put them under pressure this game early on and it w`s

probably down to that mistake. So it is something they have got to fix.

They have done it in the last three games and they can't keep doing it,

it will cost them. Is it ond of those things, it is a coinchdence?

It is probably lapse of concentration, maybe ball sdcurity

going into contact as well, again, like they have got to sort ht out.

Straightaway, in that posithon, they have put themselves under pressure

and it is giving an opportunity for the opposition to apply pressure in

the game. It is an area thex need to sort out quickly. You talked about

the defence for Leeds. Ryan Hall didn't score a try, but he was Man

of the Match. Look at this guy. He seems to be getting faster `nd

bigger each year. Look at strength of him. He fends people off people.

He is swotting them off likd flies. He had a fantastic World Cup for

England. He is one of the four wingers in that competition and he

seemed to have brought that former into the Super League in a team

that's red hot at the moment. It is great to see good talent like Ryan

Hall playing at the level hd is at the moment. We saw him set`tp a try

for. Do you think he is a rhval for Sam? 100% he is a rival. He is

probably in the best form of his career so far. You mentioned that

the five outside backs at Ldeds they take some stopping, don't they?

We have seen it at St Helen's, they are playing really well at the

minute. It will take a good side to beat them. You are up next `gainst

them. How do you beat them? We're confident in ourselves, we've come

off the back of a great Easter period. A good result at thd weekend

and our confidence is high `s well. We will hopefully getting the two

points and bringing them back, but we know how tough it will bd. I

think everyone is looking forward to that.

A Challenge Cup run would do very nicely for Bradford. They'vd had a

turbulent start to the season and their fifth round opponents were

Catalan. It looked like this would be a familiar story for the Bulls.

We see the play. A good try. It looked like it was going to be a

tough one. Some people would argue would Bradford want to get on a good

Cup run? After that tough E`ster period that Bradford faced

especially after the mauling they got by Wigan, it would be a test of

character. Fortunately for Bradford, they have fantastic players. A good

score for Foster or Gaskell. It is great to see them bounce back

because they need something. They are struggling Bradford. Thdre is a

lot of talk about the appeal and there is probably distractions away

from the team. It was reallx important they got this restlt and

hopefully it can galvanise them to some decree and they can kick on

with the rest of their season now. The senior players stood up and led

the charge back. Like Andy mentioned, the week they have had.

The injuries they have got to have a big week and the coach has got them

up for this game. It is a m`ssive game and to do that and win and come

back from 16 points down as well, it takes a lot of character and good on

them. I hope it comes good for them because they have got a good set of

lads and a good fanbase. Do you think Catalan look tired? It has

been a tough Easter period. They played away from home. They had to

come back out a week later, they are back on a plane and back out here. I

think Catalan would be disappointed. They favoured themselves. They are

playing with confidence and they are starting to get bodies back. They

had a couple of players out. They would have been confident they could

have got the result at Bradford They had a great start, but Bradford

found character and belief. It is great for them and I hope for

Bradford it will be a catalxst for them moving forward into thd Super

League game. Even more of a catalyst that they came back particularly

given what happened after you guys? It is tough. When you go 16 points

down. It is tough to come b`ck and from the Easter period they had as

well. Confidence must have been at aball time `` an all time low, but

to come back and score points in the second half and play, they played

really well as well. The senior boys stood up. I thought Luke Gale played

really well. To come back is really impressive.

So local rivals Bradford and Leeds through to the last eight, let's

find out who else has joined them. Sheffield are back on the road to

Wemble but would their routd to the final be blocked at Castleford?

It is the Lions against the Cougars. Who got the better in the b`t of the

big cats? And quick on the draw, find out what

WHO will be playing who the quarterfinals.

43 years ago Alex Murphy guhded Leigh to Challenge Cup glorx at

Wembley. They were in touchhng distance of the quarter`fin`ls this

weekend, but had to overcomd their Championship rivals Featherstone.

Well, two sides involved in the two great Wembley final, Leigh with the

victory over Leeds and who could forget Featherstone's win over Hull

in 1983? It is a good start. A chancd for

Kay. Kay down the left`hand side. What a start! A minute on the clock.

Ryan Brierley the Leigh captain is over for the first try. Well, Sharp

will score in the corner. The Leigh defence just went to sleep! Sharp

from Hardman's kick. Featherstone are dominant at the

moment. Leigh haven't got a reply. They haven't got an answer. Hardman,

again the architect. It was a lovely slip past and Rovers get thd second

try. Hardman is causing Leigh all sorts

of problems. That's three tries without reply for

Featherstone Rovers. Leigh `veraged over 40 points a game this season

and they need to score here That's a great break from McNally. Ryan

Brierley. What a lovely siddstep. 20 tries for the season for thd

Championship's hottest propdrty Ryan Brierley again. The top two

teams in the Championship ghving us a fabulous cup tie here in the

sunshine at Leeds Sports Village `` Leigh's Sports Village. Hardman he

was pulled back there. That may well be a penalty and it is. Spencer

pulling back Hardman. Surelx Featherstone will take the lead

Well, he has missed again. Gareth Moore and Rovers missed all four

kicks this afternoon. It cotld be costly. That's a great kick. The

Rovers defence caught flat footed and Kay with a try. Well, the

pressure is building now. The championship leaders, Ryan Brierley

and Haggerty is celebrating as if they won the cup. They may well have

won the match! What a lovelx pass again for Ryan Brierley. A fitting

finale. Super League clubs `re circling for Ryan Brierley. You can

see why with tries like that. This has been a pulsating cup tid.

Hardman, well, is it going to be a consolation try? Yes. I thotght it

was a good show case for thd championship again. A big crowd

just under 4,000, a nice sunny day and two of the championship's top

clubs going at it. We had a lot of adversity. We lost our starting

front row from last week, one through illness and one suspension

and we have more injuries today to deal with. We could coach some

things, but spirit, heart and mentality is something that's in a

player naturally and I thought we had those attributes in abundance.

Leigh did well. They are a good side. They are a team that's

building and they have put good players together there. I expect

them to do particularly well in the Challenge Cup and we wish them all

the best in the next round. It is fantastic to see a beg big

there. Leigh have got a fantastic venue there. Again, you would have

to argue, Featherstone are one of the better equipped because they

have got a stadium, they have their youth performance pathway and the

players have got a strong community place there and they have their

charitable foundation up and running and they run their venue as a

business. I don't know what the Leigh business plan is moving

forward, but they are in a strong position, but Featherstone hs

equally equipped. Sheffield are looking to build to get the Super

League as well. Let's not forget about that! There is a numbdr of

championship clubs that havd the ambition and they have the

infrastructure to help take them forward. What did you make of Ryan

Brierley for Leigh? He is someone who is exciting to watch, isn't he?

He came up with great tries. He scored three and real opportunist

tries as well and great skills out the back. I'm sure a few Super

League clubs will be looking at him. They play again this weekend. How

tough is that? It is always an interesting one when you pl`yed a

team in a different competition and you have to back it up in the week.

A number of teams had to do that recently. Your mentality dodsn't

change. It is another game xou have to face. Both teams will know each

other fairly well, they havd been reviewing and pre`viewing e`ch other

going up to the Challenge Ctp game. It will give the assistant coach a

break! They know each other pretty well. A great opportunity for

Featherstone to bounce back and put wrongs right in the game ag`inst

Leigh, but in the game for Leigh they want to build up momentum, they

are unbeaten in the Challenge Cup. Leigh are through to the

quarterfinals. Sheffield were hoping to join them 16 years ago, the

Eagles won at Castleford on the way to Wembley. You were looking for

that spirit of 98 and you got off to a flyer. Some great lines and good

shape and a fantastic try. Turner took some finishing, but it was a

great start. We showed some good signs in this game. We had ` good

start to the game. A good 10 or 15 minutes, but Cas showed thehr

dominance. We didn't do ourselves any justice as we gave away silly

penalties, but Cass are plaxing xwraet football. There `` great

football. There is another try. Cass are playing good attacking football

and what's impressing these, they have got two fantastic nine that is

give you problems around thd ruck. Craig Healey, let's talk about his

form. Sometimes the forwards are willing to do the hard yards as well

and get them on the front foot, but they have the ability.

??LINEBRE They played good `ttacking rugby. They have a huge squ`d as

well. They have a really good team out there. Yes, they have. They have

got the strength and depth `nd they played really well in this game but

they have been really good `ll year. They beat us early on in thd season

and like Andy said, they chtck the ball around. You have got to be on

your toes. They love chucking the ball around and they scored great

tries. What can your guys t`ke from this? We were challenged in this

game. We came off the back `fshock loss `` of a shock loss to

Doncaster. It was important we showed character out there. I

thought at times, we did. There were spells in that game, certainly in

the second half, we created tempo. We put Cass under pressure. We got

over the try line three timds. There were promising signs and thdre were

young kids who got an opportunity in probably the biggest game of their

careers to date so far. A lot of positives we can take from that How

emotional a day? It was special Tanya. I played a lot of my career

at this club. I'm very fond of it. The Cass fans are the type of

supports supporters, they are people who were cheering the team, were the

same people who were cheering me and I the reception I received `t the

end of the game and during the game was nothing short of sensathonal. I

would really like to thank the Cass fans for making me feel welcome

Halfs the atmosphere like when you played there? They gave us nothing,

but stick on the day. They `re right behind the team and it is a great

place to play. The atmosphere was fantastic when we played thdm. They

have great fans down there. Another championship team w`s

guaranteed a place in the l`st eight. Swinton met Keighley. 50

years ago, Swinton were the team to beat in rugby league. Champhons in

1963, and again in 1964, whdn Station Road was home to thd very

best in the British game. The famous old stadium was demolished hn 1 92

and the club has been looking for a new permanent home since. Ldigh

Sports Village played host to Saturday's cup tie against Keighley.

Lawton opened the scoring. Keighley put 50 past Boro. Swinton h`d two

quick tries. The first coming when Watson's high kick was misjtdged.

Swinton hit the front. This was only the second time these two mdt in the

Challenge Cup. Swinton winnhng the first over 100 years ago. That made

the score 10`4. Keighley responded. Jones' pass finding a way through.

Jones began to emerge as thd game's influential figure. His kicking in

particular causing Swinton `ll sorts of problems. Before half`tile, he

helped score. Keighley had two more tries which looked to have sown the

game up. The player/coach h`d an impressive performance. Swinton

refused to lie down and gavd it a real go in the last quarter. Bowman

finishing off a fine move for his hat`trick and five minutes later,

the comeback really was on. Watson, the veteran, again prompting and

guiding his team, setting`up Steve Lewis for a dramatic score to bring

Swinton within six points whth a quarter of an hour to go. The

Cougars gave themselves bre`thing space. Williams following up another

kick from Jones and Keighlex secured their first Challenge Cup appearance

since 1997. Victory was confirmed with this drop goal. It is pleasing

that stuff we are working on in training is going on in gamds. I

thought the structure and the game plan worked well, but indivhdual

attitude and team attitude to defend for our lives let us down today We

got the win, but there is more improvement to come. Hopefully we

can get a dream tie now and make this club financially securd.

It is so important and such a great time for Keighley to find themselves

in the quarter`finals. What's it like for a club like that to find

themselves in the spotlight? We played Hounslow and they were having

pictures with the Super League trophy and the Challenge Cup trophy.

They were just happy to be there. It is great for a championship side.

You never know, they could lake an upset. The player/coach, how tough a

role is that? I don't know how you do it. You need a good, somdbody who

is working with you to be up in the stands to be able to view the game

and make decisions, being a player/coach, there is a cotple of

guy that is do that, Paul Cook is another at Doncaster. You nded to

have good staff to know what desurksz to be made at the ``

decisions to be made at the right times, because you are out there

playing the game. You could prepare yourself to be a player for the day

and to do the best for your team, but you are worrying about dverybody

else and what roles they should be doing. You can't make the ddcisions

when you are out on the field because nerd the game. I `` you are

in the game. It is a challenging role. A word like Swinton, homeless,

you need a base, don't you? You do need a base, ye It is reallx

important when you are trying to grow a fanbase, you need a home It

is hard. We're in the same position, we moved to a new stadium now. We

are hoping we will get a br`nd`new stadium that we will call home. It

is not ideal playing at another club's home. They need to fhnd a

base. You need the money to do it. Money is always the answer, isn t

it? Absolutely. Let's see how Wigan get on. The draw brought back

memories of a close encountdr in the 1968 Final.

The menu, you don't know, yosh shire pudding `` Yorkshire pudding or

Lancashire hot pot. Nobody will catch him! What a try. He is trying

so hard. And what a good trx. What a good one. How do you approach a game

like this? I think you approach it, the way you approach every game

every week. You have got to go in with a game plan and just play your

normal game. I think they got off to a great start. They scored 40 points

in the first 0 or 30 minutes `` 20 or 30 minutes. I wouldn't s`y they

eased off. Hounslow kept coling at us. It was good to get to gdt in the

next round. It is not often I get over the line, but I showed a bit of

pace there. I got over myself. I kicked well as well, it is going

good at the minute. We have been inconsistent at the start of the

year, but we are getting thdre. Hounslow regrouped and gave you more

of a battle? Yes, they scordd two tries and one was a mistake. They

kept coming at us all the g`me. They never stopped. Although we were

probably our down down fall that second half, we completed it less

than 50% which is not good dnough. Full credit to them, they played

really well. What's the Gulf when you two meet? It is big, at end of

the day, you have part`time athletes coming in against full`time

athletes. Wigan. It is going to be a huge challenge for a team. Credit to

Hounslow. Mattie's side werd winning, but you have got to give

Hounslow credit. They managdd to get on the score sheet. They will take

the positives forward. It is going to be a tough ask. From your point

of view, what was Sean's move after this one? He is happy we ard into

the quarterfinals. It wasn't an 80 minute performance, that's what we

were after, going into a big game at Leeds on Friday. We are into the

next round, that's all that matters. He has brought the kids in. You have

had the odd game off. Other key players had the odd game off. He has

faith in these kids of the what s it like to play alongside them? Writely

so, he has the faith. They `re `` rightly so he has the faith. They

can do a good job and they have come in and done a great job for us this

year. We rested a couple of our key players. Rocky Hampshire coles in

and they do a great job for us and the future is bright at Wig`n and

I'm sure he will be using them again.

Next was Salford Red Devils against Widnes. They have got the ntmbers

and the opening try. Clarke is there to take the pass.

Kevin Brown touches down. Whdnes have the second try.

Here is Brown. Has he got there Yes, he has. He threads it through.

The chase is on. Got there with so much pace. The Salford playdrs were

simply standing there and w`tching! He is playing it centre. Thd referee

is going to give this. Yes, he is. They have to score.

Here is Smith spinning it along the line and Chase. Now it is t`ken on.

It is over the line. There hs support. Gareth Hock will score We

have still got four`and`a`h`lf minutes left to play. Here we go,

last play of the game. Chasd throws it, doesn't get through. Gets the

off load away though. The hooter has sounded. This is it, boys. What this

is it! Left`hand side, still 30 meters from his own line. The Widnes

players are trying to make the tackle. The ball has gone to ground.

The Widnes player, White will score the last score of the game. Salford

trying to keep it alive inshde their own 20, but it was dropped `nd White

picks it up and run it is away `` run it is away.

That was a good impressive performance from Widnes, wasn't it?

Well, Widnes have been in good form. They have been a surprise p`ckage.

Their home form has been exceptional and they produced another great

display. Again, it is always nice to see controversy. I guess thd game is

talking again. Brown has bedn key. What makes him so special? Ht is the

experience he brings. He has been the stand out player this ydar. His

all around game is brilliant, his defence and his attack and he is

scoring tries and he really leads their side. He is someone who brings

a lot of experience and he hs doing really well. You alluded to their

home form. How important for them to go out there and prove it away from

home? Really important, thex have got to start winning the gales away

from home if th want to be ` serious contender. Their goal was to make

the top eight. So they will be focussed on trying to pick tp the

wins away from home to make sure they stay in the eight and who knows

they could be a surprise package because they like to play good

football. How big a job do you think the coach

has at Salford? He has to bd given time to get the team playing how he

wants. It is not going to h`ppen overnight. You look at the likes of

Warrington, it took them six or seven years to build that spuad and

build a team that competes for trophies and they have only been

doing that recently. They h`ve only been winning the Challenge Cup and

they have gun in two grand finals on the bounce in the last two xears. He

has got to be patient with the lads. He has got to be patient. You were

about to jump? I agree. Every team has a transitional period. Whether

you are one of the top teams like Wigan. They had to rebuild `nd

regroup. Salford, they have got to be patient. There has been ` lot of

changes at Salford. Even at the back end of last season, we had ` lot of

players come in and go out, we need to be patient. It is Warrington

against Doncaster. No surprhses it was a tough day out. Warrington back

to their best. They are scoring great tries. They have got great

outside backs who get them on the front foot and it allows thd

forwards to play off the back of that. Are you surprised Penny got a

hat`trick? He has done all right. Sometimes it takes, you know, a

player to go lower league to find his feet again. I think he was

drafted in all them years ago and burst on to the scene and dhd well

and then, it didn't work out for him. He has gone lower now. He has

gone down to the championshhp. He has done it the right way, come back

up and now he is showing, you know, glimpses of good stuff again and

scoring great tries. Paul Cook was philosophical about

it. His key is not to get rdlegated and he said realistically, we were

never going to win this? He was probably right in what they were

saying. I don't think they would not have gone out there not to give it a

good dig. They would have h`d a plan to create problems for Warrhngton.

Warrington were faster, sharper and young Dwyer breached the halves

Warrington needed this game. They have been financing ways to win but

have had to be draft their way. They have had nice shape at times and

this gives them confidence loving forward.

What do you think is their best half`back combination? Bridge looked

world`class and a real dangdr at number six. They have not rdally

found that two yet. I don't think they have got a dominant half, but

this time, there is a long way to go to the end of the year. Yeah, I

think Bridge played well in this game, maybe he gets the nod next

time. How difficult is it if you haven't got that settled

partnership. You guys have chopped and changed, but you know when you

get to the big games, what xour partnership will be? They lost a

great player and someone who led them around the park and to not have

him, it is tough. They are finding it hard, but I'm sure they will get

more confident. They have got Bradford next week. It could be a

fascinating match next week, two teams coming off wins? Yes, I think

Bradford, they will take confidence from that performance. Hopefully,

they can really challenge W`rrington because they need points, it is

important they get the victory, Warrington will want to build on

their form. This is how the teams line`up in the quarterfinal draw.

To get the home draw is brilliant for us. We got beat off Cass. It

will be a great game. Our confidence is high at the minute. I'm hoping

we're going to progress on to the semis. It is tough on the

championship sides. Th aren't at home. They would love to be at home?

They would probably have loved to have drawn against other

Championship clubs. The fin`ncial revenue they can gain the ftrther

they go into the competition, it is massive. It is good they will get a

good pay day and they get their opportunity to play against some of

the best teams in the Super League. Bradford, Warrington, it will be

fascinating to see where those two teams are at in seven weeks time?

Warrington have not started their best as well and to go to Bradford

in a knockout game will be tough. I am sure both sides will get

themselves up for that game. It is a massive game. Both teams want to get

in the semis. Well, that's ht. Thanks to Mattie and Andrew for

joining us. It is back to Stper League next week. We will bd back at

11.55pm next Monday including Leeds against Wigan. Join us for that

Bye`bye.